Chapter 82: Is It Safe?

“After Crimson lost his old friends, I told you he trained very hard so he could kill every Dark One that exists, right?” Ezra asked softly, looking down at Lior.

Lior nodded enthusiastically. “Yup!”

Ezra smiled faintly.

“Crimson got new companions,” he continued. “Though at that point in the story, he did not consider them his friends. Crimson wasn’t interested in having friends anymore.”

Lior’s small brows furrowed. “That sounds… lonely.”

Ezra let out a quiet chuckle as he stroked Lior’s hair.

“Lonely, indeed,” he agreed. “He thought being alone was safer. Easier. If you do not care for anyone, you do not lose anyone.”

’That is what he told himself.’

“But,” Ezra went on, “there came a time when Crimson slowly started treating two of them differently. Leomord. And Fredrinn.”

“Oh!” Lior gasped. “A story of freship!”

“Friendship, little one.”

“That’s what I said!” Lior protested with a pout.

Ezra laughed softly, the sound warmer this time.

“Yes, yes. Friendship.”

He adjusted Lior slightly on his lap and continued.

“After one particularly exhausting mission, Crimson found himself alone in a tavern.”

Lior’s eyes widened.

“He was in a bad mood,” Ezra added. “His men had not listened to him. Not again. Even though he had already proven himself as captain.”

“Oh no,” Lior whispered.

“Oh yes,” Ezra nodded solemnly. “Crimson was very proud. And very tired. And very stubborn.”

’And very much like me.’ Because Crimson was him.

“He ended up drinking a lot,” Ezra said. “A lot, lot.”

Lior giggled.

“He became what we might call… an angry uncle.”

Lior burst into laughter. “Like you earlier!”

Ezra narrowed his eyes playfully. “Be careful.”

Lior only grinned wider.

“Crimson,” Ezra continued, “started picking fights. Big men. Bigger than him. All because he was angry.”

“Did he win?” Lior asked eagerly.

Ezra’s expression softened slightly.

“No,” he said quietly. “He was outnumbered. Tired. And drunk. He was losing.”

Lior’s smile faded.

’He seems upset,’ Ezra thought, faintly amused, as he let the silence stretch just long enough for worry to bloom across Lior’s small face.

Right when Lior’s brows began to knit together—

Ezra continued.

“Just when Crimson was about to be thrown across the tavern,” he said, lowering his voice into something dramatic and dangerous, “someone grabbed the chair that was meant to smash into his head.”

Lior gasped so loudly Ezra almost laughed.

“And another pulled the man off him before the punch could land.”

Lior shot upright. “Leomomo and Frerin!”

Ezra laughed, the sound softer this time. “Leomord and Fredrinn.”

“That’s what I said,” Lior insisted with full confidence.

“Of course you did.”

Ezra adjusted them both against the pillows, keeping Lior tucked close against his chest.

“They did not ask what happened,” he went on. “They did not ask who started it. They saw Crimson in trouble and stepped in.”

’They did not hesitate.’

“They stood back to back with him,” Ezra continued, his tone steady, “and the three of them fought the entire tavern.”

Lior’s mouth fell open.

“But,” Ezra added, raising a finger, “they did not win gracefully.”

“But they won?” Lior asked quickly, anxious for the correct answer.

“They won,” Ezra admitted. “Eventually.”

“Yes!” Lior pumped his tiny fist.

“But they were also beaten,” Ezra said gently. “Crimson had a split lip. Leomord could barely stand. Fredrinn was laughing even while blood ran down his face.”

Lior giggled at that image.

“Why was he laughing?”

“Because he thought it was fun.”

Lior blinked slowly. “Fun?”

Ezra smiled faintly. “Some people find chaos entertaining.”

’And some find relief in not being alone in it.’

“When it was over,” Ezra continued, his voice softening, “Crimson thought they would scold him. He was a captain. He had caused a mess. He embarrassed himself.”

“Did they?” Lior asked, leaning closer.

“No.”

Ezra brushed a stray curl away from Lior’s forehead.

“They laughed,” he said quietly. “They told him it was the first time they had seen him act reckless. They said it was refreshing.”

Lior grinned mischievously. “Like you!”

Ezra narrowed his eyes at him. “Careful.”

Lior dissolved into giggles.

“And after that,” Ezra continued, pressing a gentle kiss to his son’s hair, “they became friends.”

“Because they beat up a tavern?” Lior asked thoughtfully.

Ezra chuckled. “No. Not because of the fight.”

“Then why?”

“Because they chose to stand beside him,” Ezra answered softly. “Even when he was foolish. Even when it would have been easier to walk away.”

Lior went quiet at that, absorbing it in the way children do when something truly matters.

“That’s nice,” he said finally.

“It is.”

Ezra paused, then added gently, “But there are better ways to make friends than fighting in taverns.”

Lior nodded quickly. “I will not beat taverns.”

“Good.”

“I will share my toys.”

“That is an excellent strategy.”

“And I will not become an angry uncle.”

Ezra huffed a quiet laugh and pulled him closer. “That would be ideal.”

Lior’s smile grew sleepy, the earlier sadness gone. His body began to relax in Ezra’s arms.

Ezra watched him carefully.

’Memorize this.’

“Lior,” he said softly, brushing his thumb along his son’s cheek. “Before you sleep, I need you to know something.”

Lior blinked up at him.

“I might be gone from your side for several hours tomorrow,” Ezra continued gently. “But I will be nearby. If you need me, you tell Fizzy. He will send for me.”

“Maman…” Lior lifted his small hand and placed it against Ezra’s face.

That tiny touch nearly unraveled him.

“Is it safe?”

“You will be safe,” Ezra began automatically.

Lior’s brows pulled together.

“Will Maman be safe?”

The question pierced deeper than any blade.

Ezra held his gaze.

’I will not lie to you.’

But he also could not tell him the truth.

Not about Dark Ones. Not about blood. Not about the possibility of any of them dying.

There was always a possibility.

Even for Ezra.

He forced a small, steady smile.

“Of course,” he said softly.

And he hoped, more than anything, that tomorrow would not make him a liar.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep