He replied, “Kalvoxrencol was in a severe shuttle crash over two cycles ago.”
“By the Crystal, Pest, I did not think,” Serlotminden said, reaching for his little brother, but there was no space for him in the cramped shuttle to do more than touch him.
Kal knocked them off and hauled Seth onto his lap, cradling him. Seth wrapped his arms around Kal’s neck, and Kal rocked his husband as he breathed slowly.
“Was Kal hurt in his accident?” I asked.
Fyn shook his head but didn’t respond. He probably didn’t want to risk upsetting Kal more. I didn’t ask another question, and instead, dragged my fingers along Fyn’s back, soothing him as he watched his younger brother.
After Kal calmed down, returning Seth to his stool, and several minutes of Serlotminden flying smoothly over the treetops, Seth said, “That was fun.”
“I’m glad you enjoyed it,” Serlotminden replied, without even a hint of a smile.
“Is your name really Serlotminden?” Seth asked.
“Yes,” he replied. “Why?”
“He’s about to shorten your name,” Kal warned.
“What?” Serlotminden asked.
“A nickname,” Seth said.
“A what?” Serlotminden asked.
The word nickname must not have translated well. It was difficult for me to know what a drakcol would or wouldn’t understand because Seth always spoke in English and they always spoke in Drakconese. Around Fyn, I spoke in Drakconese, and English when I was alone. If I had a brain still, I was pretty sure I would always have a headache from the back and forth.
“An endearment, of a sort,” Kal explained. “Humans do it. He already is calling Hallonnixmin Hal and Dontilvynsan Don.”
“And don’t forget Monqilcolnen is Monty,” Seth said.
“I call Zoltilvoxfyn Fyn,” I supplied, and with a moment of hesitation, Zoltilvoxfyn told them what I said.
“Well, now I’m feeling left out,” Serlotminden said, lips pursing in an obvious pout.
“Can I call you Mindy?” Seth asked.
Serlotminden tried the nickname out a few times before he said, “I like it.”
“Good. Mindy,” Seth said.
Without warning, Mindy pulled Seth into a hug, drawing a panicked squeak from my fellow human. “Another little brother,” Mindy said. “I like it, and you're so cute and soft. I could squeeze you all the time.”
“Let my mate go,” Kal ordered, tail flicking.
Mindy did, but not before patting Seth on the head. Seth rolled his eyes at Kal, who bristled around his brother; though, Seth was a tad paler than normal.
Fyn and Kal were equally overprotective.
I brushed my fingers over Fyn’s cheek, commenting, “You and your brothers are very similar.”
“I suppose.”
“You are, and I like it.” It reminded me of my brothers and cousins. The good-natured ribbing. Jokes. Laughter. I missed them.
“They are yours now too. If you want them.”
“I do.” I ran my fingers along his forehead. I hadn’t realized how lonely I was wandering space for years, completely alone, until now, when I finally wasn’t.
