Solstice Souls: Solstice Sons (Book 3)

Not Children Anymore

Wei Ying POV

His family's voices are chattering around Wei Ying like angry squirrels fighting over a walnut. Ideas are thrown out into the open like seeds for hungry pecking chickens. Yet all those new plans center around one fixed idea: take out Wen Ruohan first before the war can gain momentum.

Wei Ying looks over at Lan Zhan with uncertainty. Sending anyone into Nightless City is practically a suicide mission. It doesn't matter how well-trained or well-prepared they are, whoever tries to kill Wen Ruohan will be up against the most powerful cultivator in the history of the world.

A sickly uneasiness settles in Wei Ying's gut. Memories of the arena, the crowds who cheered for his death, and the pain inflicted upon him rise up like bile threatening to choke him. He sucks in a hiccuping gasp as visions of Wen Ruohan eyeing him like a weapon to be possessed blind him to golden eyes filled with worry.

Yet it's not just his pain he feels. Wei Ying remembers all the children forced into the arena with him. He remembers the terrified little girl screaming for her mother in the village after they left Baoshan Sanren's home. Those innocent lives were the real victims. The children and their parents will be the ones to pay the final price if they fail to stop Wen Ruohan.

A strong arm around his shoulders gives Wei Ying a firm hug and reminds him that he's not alone. Lan Zhan's warm hand wraps around his fisted one, pulling him back from the precipice his memories are dangling him over. The gentle stroke of his jade's thumb across his knuckles relaxes Wei Ying's body and steadies his breathing until the ground feels solid beneath him again.

"Not alone. Never alone again." Lan Zhan murmurs before leaning in to place a tender kiss on Wei Ying's forehead.

"I love you." Wei Ying murmurs, the tightness in his chest lifting.

He presses his lips to Lan Zhan's and allows himself this moment. It doesn't matter how many times or how long each one lasts, Wei Ying will always find peace in this simple union with his soulmate.

Sitting back, he mouths the words, "Follow my lead."

Lan Zhan responds with a trusting smile and whispers, "Always, my dancer."

At his jade's words, Wei Ying's eyes light up like a sparkling flare. They can't read each other's minds, at least not yet, but somehow Lan Zhan always knows what he's thinking. To be so in tune with someone is a miracle and a gift to be treasured and protected. And Wei Ying doesn't take that precious gift lightly.

He stands, gently pulling Lan Zhan with him. Without casting a single glance back at his family, Wei Ying leads his husband towards the door.

"And where do you think you two are going?" Cangse Sanren barks with a slight bite to her words.

Wei Ying stops in his tracks as does his husband. They both pause a moment, staring into each other's eyes, before turning to the three adults still sitting at the table.

"Well, you three seem to know what's best. So, we're leaving."

"But we're not done yet." Wei Changze says with a tinge of confusion.

"It sounds to me like you have everything all planned out. Obviously you've been inside Nightless City before. You know the layout and how our assassins will reach the throne room without getting themselves killed as soon as they set foot inside the impenetrable gates."

Lan Zhan tilts his head slightly and adds, "You must already have a contact inside. I admire your forethought. It explains why you are so confident that your plan will succeed."

All three adults stare, gaping at the two young men in front of them. Their faces look so comical that Wei Ying has a hard time containing his laughter.