Soren clapped Valerian on the shoulder again, the grin on his face refusing to dim."Thank you brother for not having me arrested the moment I stepped through the door."
He clasped Valerian's forearm with a bright grin. "Congratulations again, brother. You actually pulled it off. You got married and now even crowned her, despite the objections. Truly, you never cease to surprise."
Valerian let out a low breath that might have been a laugh. "Save your dramatics. We will talk.....after the banquet. There is much I want to know. Don't disappear again."
"No promises," Soren teased—and barely took three steps before a small voice screeched, "UNCLE SOREN!"
Vaelric barreled into him like a tiny hurricane. Reddish blonde curls bouncing, excitement written across every inch of his eight-year-old face. Before Soren could react, the boy jumped, and Soren scooped him up with exaggerated strain, spinning him once in the air.
