Solstice Souls: Solstice Sons (Book 3)

The Bravery To Say Goodbye

Wei Ying POV

"I'm sorry. You want us to do what?" Song Lan asks.

His eyebrows lift so high they're halfway up his forehead. Both he and Xiao Xingchen stare at Wei Ying with puzzlement.

"I want you to go with us to Nightless City so we can turn ourselves over to Wen Rouhan."

"Wei Ying," Lan Zhan chastises quietly. "Rule number one thousand and eighty six. Do not tease."

"I'm not teasing."

Lan Zhan gives him a knowing look and Wei Ying's exuberance fades slightly.

"Is he serious?" Xiao Xingchen asks, looking at Lan Zhan with wide eyes.

"Of course I am!" Wei Ying exclaims.

Song Lan looks at his husband and mutters, "He can't be. We didn't just fight thousands of Wen soldiers to save Yiling only to hand over its heir to that monster Wen Rouhan."

Wei Ying wriggles excitedly in Lan Zhan's lap, trying to get more comfortable. Suddenly, he feels his jade's cool hand on his waist. It's a subtle request the other two men at the table don't notice. The firm yet gentle touch urges him to stop moving so much. Wei Ying's lips press together as his naughty side eagerly accepts the challenge Lan Zhan has unknowingly made.

Wei Ying sinks himself deeper into his husband's warm lap. It earns him a low grunt and a pinch on his hip. He can't stifle the choked snort that gives his amusement away so he fakes a cough when the two senior cultivators cast him questioning gazes. Unknowingly, he only added to Lan Zhan's distress, the bulge beneath his jade's robes poking Wei Ying in the ass like an impatient child wanting attention.  

Xiao Xingchen laughs awkwardly. "If your family was here, they would never agree to such a foolish plan."

"Plan? What plan?!" Wei Ying blurts out. His mind quickly backpedals out of the inappropriate pit it's fallen into, the one where he tries to get Lan Zhan off without being caught by their seniors.

Song Lan cocks his head questioningly. "The plan that your family would never agree to if they were here." he says flatly.

"They already have." Wei Ying says, his thoughts snapping back to the matter at hand.

Both older cultivators gape at him.

Lan Zhan pours tea for all of them while he explains. "This plan was discussed before Wei Ying's family left. They agreed it was the best option for getting close to Wen Rouhan. My husband did not plan on both of you being here and has adjusted his plan accordingly. With your help, our chances of succeeding greatly increases."

Song Lan shakes his head trying to understand. "So you want us to just march into Nightless City and say, 'Look who we found by the side of the road?'"

"Didn't you both risk your lives to escape that cesspool just weeks ago? Why in the hell would you want to go back?" Xiao Xingchen rants.

Wei Ying nestles deeper into Lan Zhan's embrace at the flashing memory of the arena. His devoted husband places a lingering kiss on the top of his head as if to say 'I'm right here. I'm never leaving.' The small gesture calms Wei Ying's heart. He scoots out of his soulmate's lap and straightens his back.

"We don't want to go back. But Lan Zhan and I are the only ones who can end Wen Rouhan's senseless killing and lust for power. We know it. Our families know it. And you know it."

Two pairs of eyes fall to the table while two others await their response. The air in the small room grows thick with acceptance and the weight of the responsibility now placed on two very young mens' shoulders.