“I don’t know yet,” Sora answered frankly. “Ravi and I have talked about this, but we haven’t made a decision.”
His mother leaned forward, hands braced on the table. “You’re absolutely certain Ravi is your mate, then? You said you thought he was, earlier. But you’re sure now?”
“Absolutely positive.” Sora had no doubt about that. His feelings were so intense that even he, a very cerebral thinker, sometimes felt overwhelmed by them.
She clapped her hands together, delighted. “I’m so glad, sweetheart. I must say, he was well worth the wait. Ravi’s such a happy person. And I love how the two of you interact. You bring out the best in each other, I think.”
Sora was happy to hear her say that and relieved both his parents seemed to think that Ravi was perfect for him. It saved that argument, at least. And it was always better when the parents approved of a spouse. It might also help with the impinging argument Sora could feel hovering on the horizon.
“I agree that he was well worth the wait. I want to properly express all of this to him, and soon.”
“Do that,” she urged, almost chortling now. “Finally, a mate for my son!”
“It’s a cause for celebration,” his father agreed. He looked more relieved than anything. “And, of course, when the two of you decide to have a child, you know we’ll be happy to help support the incubator.”
“I think you’re getting a little ahead of yourself.” Sora rolled his eyes. Of course, that was the first priority for these two. Grandchildren. “Although, I’ll remember that for the future.”
Some soft, squishy part of his brain very much wanted to think about holding his and Ravi’s child in his arms.
His mother, at least, remembered what had started them off on this tangent. “Wait, do you intend to stay here with him?”
Sora responded patiently. “This clan, more than ours, needs healers. Needs mages. They also need him, and he needs his family.”
“That sounds like you’ve already made the decision to stay,” his father interjected. “Why aren’t you considering coming home?”
“I haven’t made a firm decision yet.” Which was true. Sora was still trying to weigh it in his mind, decide on the best option.
His mother’s glee was swinging back the other direction into concern. “But you can’t just think about Ravi’s needs. About this clan’s needs.”
“My mate’s needs have a higher priority than my own. And do you really think that trying to take away a king’s retainer right on the verge of a war with the Jaeggi is a good idea? Do you have any idea how heavily King Alric relies on Ravi?” Sora hadn’t, until he’d seen his little wind dragon in action.
His father shook his head in confusion. “He has four other retainers.”
“Yes, one of who stays buried in books most of the time. I don’t think you two have paid proper attention, but Ravi’s role among the retainers is very specific. When King Alric needs to be jostled out of work-mode, or if he needs to be in a different location without much time to get there, it’s Ravi who is sent in. Ravi’s the one who can charm, cajole, and hurry King Alric along without the king taking offense. You saw him in action when dealing with Kings Chalo and Roca, as well as their mates and bodyguards. He keeps everyone moving, happy, and safe. It’s Ravi’s speed that ensures the rest are safe, as literally nothing else can outrun him. There’s also the fact that he clearly loves his job, loves his clan with all of his heart.”
His mother didn’t disagree with any of this, although her brow was furrowed into a deep frown. “But what about you? What about what you need? Don’t you want to stay with your family? You can’t just think about Ravi.”
“Of course, I’d miss home if I left.” Sora didn’t think he’d be particularly homesick, though. He’d not felt homesick at all his entire stay here, and that said something all by itself.
That satisfied her. “Then you should come home with Ravi. It’ll be better for him anyway to be around the wind dragons.”
Sora was not so quick to dismiss the subject. “But, Kaa-san, it’s about more than being around family. There’s no challenge at home. There’s no chance for me to really use my skills. Honestly, day to day, I’m a little bored at home. There’s not much to do.”
Her jaw dropped. “Bored?!”
His father, however, understood his son’s point and grunted in agreement. “Everyone’s accustomed to going to the older generation. Us. Very few go to you for help. I usually have to shuffle people in your direction.”
Inclining his head to his father, Sora said, “Yes, that’s it exactly. I don’t feel needed at home. I’m not vital. It’s very much the same old thing there every day. There’s no reason to innovate. Nothing to challenge my mind. But here, I would be needed.
“If you’d seen the look on King Alric and Consort Cameron’s faces when I told them that I could help him, that I could reverse some of the damage done—it was like hope had finally risen again on this clan. They thanked me over and over. They were so ecstatic about my being here. It was that moment when I realized what a dearth of knowledge they have here.”
“But we’ll send in help. It doesn’t have to be you,” his mother protested, growing irate.
“And I’m sure they’ll happily accept that help from everyone who comes. But how long can those people be here?” Sora waved a hand toward his father’s laptop, still open but untouched during this discussion. “We just asked the question. How many? How long can they stay? This isn’t indefinite. And the Burkhards need a dedicated healer.”
“And it doesn’t have to be you!” Her voice rose in frustration. “Sora, are you really going to stay here? I want you home, not on a warfront. You and Ravi aren’t even properly bonded yet, and how are you supposed to have children in this clan? They don’t have enough mages to support it.”
“You just said you’d help support an incubator when Ravi and I are ready,” Sora pointed out with ruthless logic. “Are you saying that’s conditional on us being home?”
His father dismissed this with a wave of both hands. “No, no, your mother didn’t mean that.”
“I might,” she fumed. “Because trying to have a child out here, on a warfront, isn’t smart.”
The realization spread through him in a tight, tingling, unpleasant way. But he was no less sure. Sora hadn’t really thought of it in those terms, but this was a warfront. A dangerous place, and Ravi was a key element to protecting not only the king, but his family. Taking him away from here was not the answer. Not when Burkhard was in such dire straits.
“If I try to take Ravi from here, with his family still in danger, all it will do is break his heart. I know he loves me. I love him just as fiercely. I will not ask him to return with me. I will not demand that of him.”
His mother’s jaw dropped. “Sora!”
Resolve and relief with a dash of excitement sang through his veins. Talking this out with his parents had made it very clear what the better choice was. He’d still speak properly with Ravi about this, and if his wind dragon wanted to go back to join Sora’s clan, then Sora would respect that. But he didn’t give that possibility very high odds. He knew Ravi better than that.