"Eh?" Brenton sounded with his brows raised. He was not sure if he had heard correctly.

"We haven't properly thanked you, yet," Estan added when he saw the rho's confusion.

A smile came to Syri's lips when he caught on to the gamma's direction. "Inso is right. We haven't thanked you for saving us."

"Oh, uh, don't worry about it," Brenton said shyly as he lowered his head.

"We insist," Estan persisted as he set the coins for the duck on the stand's counter.

Brenton looked from the money to the gamma before letting out a breath and sliding the coins back to Estan. "Let's call it even, then."

Estan smiled at the rho before nodding his head. "Very well. Syri and I will head back and prepare dinner while you close up shop, and we will see you later," the gamma stated before the three parted ways.

The rho let out a short breath as he watched the two leave before beginning to close his stand for the day. The sun was well on its decline, but there was still a good hour of light in the sky by the time Brenton started toward the cabin in the woods. The rho could not stop his heart from skipping as he made his way out of the small village and down the road that led to Estan and Syri's humble abode.

A small trail of smoke was floating out the top of the chimney when Brenton broke into the grove. The rho knocked on the door which was opened a few moments later, revealing a flour-covered Estan. Brenton stifled a laugh as he saw the gamma. But, surprisingly, Estan did not seem frazzled or exhausted by any means. The gamma was happy and relaxed.

"You made it!" Estan smiled at the rho in greeting as he invited the man to enter the cabin. But as Brenton was taking off his shoes, as was the custom when entering a house to not track dirt throughout the home, Estan clapped his hands and exclaimed, "Oh! Syri is resting on the hill just passed the river. Would you mind going and getting him? Dinner is almost ready."

"Of course," Brenton agreed while slipping his shoes back on.

"Thank you. If you follow the path that goes over the bridge and into the trees, it will lead you to the hill," Estan explained to the rho, who nodded his head in understanding. The rho bowed respectfully before exiting through the cabin door and making his way to the bridge. Brenton swiveled his head and looked at the clear river cutting through the grove as he walked over the bridge and entered the woods once again.

It was not long, however, until the trees broke onto a massive hill where the rho spotted a small figure standing next to two horses. Brenton could not stop the smile that covered his face as he gazed at the zeta laughing happily beneath the golden sunlight. The sun had just reached the horizon when the rho began walking to the peak of the hill. A warm breeze swept past him and ruffled Syri's pink hair that seemed to glow beneath the setting sun. The zeta was wearing a loose blouse that flowed as the wind rippled through it.

The rho was starstruck by the zeta's beauty and could not help the awe-struck expression that covered his face as he approached the small male.

"Oh? Brenton," Syri smiled at the rho as he spotted the man walking up to him.

Who is he? The white steed inquired as Brenton came to stand next to Syri.

A friend. He saved Estan and me from a group of traffickers. Syri replied. Through his most recent interaction with the two horses, Syri realized he could communicate with them telepathically and not just verbally. And now was the perfect moment to put it to use.

Are you sure he is just a friend? Dyren inquired as he recognized the expression on the rho's face.

Mm. Positive. Why? Syri asked innocently. The zeta did not know any reason why the rho would not be a friend.

Before Dyren could respond, Brenton inquired, "Are they your friends?"

"Mm," Syri sounded in response. "This is Dyren and Geneth," the zeta introduced as he pointed to the white and copper steeds.

"Nice to meet you, Dyren, Geneth. I'm Brenton," the rho waved to the two horses in greeting.

He is polite. I like him. Geneth commented on the rho's greeting.

We all know it's a 'no' though. Dyren replied to Geneth's comment matter-of-factly.

Why? Geneth inquired.

You know why. Dyren answered as Brenton reached out and stroked Geneth's mane.

"Do you ride them?" Brenton inquired as he brought his hand to the copper horse's nuzzle.

Sryi shook his head. "I don't know how to ride. I've only been riding once, and it was with...someone." Syri caught himself as he nearly voiced the prince's name and found his thoughts trailing back to the day he and Jae went riding. Blush filled Syri's cheeks as he recalled how Jae's strong arms felt as the prince kept him secure on Ajax.

Brenton saw the flush in Syri's cheeks and wondered who this 'someone' was. "Is he the one who rescued you?"

The zeta looked up at the rho in surprise. "H-how did you know?"

"Oh, uh, the night we first came to the cabin, you were in pain. And Estan said the only one who could help you was the one who saved you," Brenton quickly explained when he realized it was strange for him to know this piece of information.

"Oh..." Syri hung his head and looked at the ground as he realized Brenton saw him when he was being tormented by Jisue. "What else did Estan tell you?" Syri inquired as he brought his head back up.

"He said your 'someone' was in a whole other world, and that he was doing everything he could to stop whoever was causing you pain."

A small smile came to Syri's lips as he heard Brenton's words. An ache entered the zeta's chest as he longed for the prince. He missed Jae's musky scent and comforting voice. The zeta found himself getting lost in his memories with the prince until Brenton's voice pulled Syri from his thoughts, "Would you like to learn how to ride?"

The zeta's heart bounced when he heard the rho's offer. He had always wanted to learn how to ride, and if he learned now, he could go riding with Jae when he returned to the castle. The zeta nodded his head with excitement as he asked for permission from Dyren and Geneth. Is it alright with you?

It is fine with us. Have fun, Little Zeta. Dyren responded kindly.

With Dyren and Geneth's permission, Syri turned to face the rho and bowed. "I would greatly appreciate it if you would teach me how to ride!" The zeta exclaimed as he continued to bow in hopes of the rho accepting him as his student.

"I would love to," Brenton replied with a smile as he brought the zeta out of his bow. "But, let's start tomorrow. Estan said dinner is ready."

Syri's face lit up, and he smiled brightly as he began following the rho back to the cabin. The zeta giggled to himself as the two meandered through the trees and over the bridge. I am going to learn how to ride!

Brenton let out a small chuckle as he watched the zeta gaze up at the golden rays stretching through the trees and into the grove. It was as if Syri was experiencing the woods for the first time again. The rho felt his heart skip as he gazed at the small male walking beside him with wide eyes.

A delicious aroma wafted to the pair as they made their way to the cabin. Brenton held the door open for Syri, and the two promptly took off their shoes upon entering the abode. Brenton and Syri watched with wide eyes as Estan glided around the kitchen finishing the preparations for dinner and were just as wide-eyed when the gamma set the marvelous spread on the dining table.

A small laugh left the zeta as Syri saw the flour covering Estan's face and arms. "Heyyyy, respect the art of cuisine. If it's not messy, it's not good." Estan's lips pursed as he defended himself from the giggling zeta. "Thank you," the gamma said as he accepted a damp cloth from the rho.

"Sorry," Syri apologized through another laugh before going over to the cabinets and retrieving three sets of dishes. Brenton was quick to help the zeta set the table while Estan wiped the flour from his face.

It was not long before the three were seated at the small table and enjoying the hot, fresh meal of braised duck, roasted potato, and a selection of vegetables.

"Waaa, Inso, this is delicious!" Syri exclaimed as he took a bite of the honey-braised duck.

Estan smiled at the adorable zeta, happy that his cooking had been approved. Cute hums and quiet exclaims floated from Syri as the three enjoyed their meal.

"How is Rosie?" The gamma inquired of the rho toward the conclusion of the meal.

Brenton finished his bite before answering, "She is healed, but she hasn't smiled much yet." Sadness filled the rho's eyes as he continued, "I am doing my best to be there for her, but I have been busy with work."

"You being there for her is exactly what Rosie needs right now," Estan stated kindly. "I am sure you are helping more than you know."

"Where is Rosie?" Syri inquired after swallowing his last bite.

"She is staying with a friend for a few days. I have been busy hunting and am hoping being with Charlie will help Rosie," Brenton explained as he set down his utensils.

"Rosie is always free to stay with us when you are busy," Estan offered as he, too, set down his utensils.

"Thank you," the rho nodded shortly in thanks toward the gamma.

"Of course. It is the least we could do," the gamma responded.

A moment of silence passed as little Syri continued to eat quietly until Brenton spoke up, "I don't mean to intrude on your lives or pry, but why are you two here? You clearly don't belong in a town like Alia."

Syri sucked in this breath and swallowed as his eyes trailed to Estan. The gamma inhaled shortly before opening his lips to speak. "My, uh, mate is busy patrolling the border and thought Syri and I could use a break from the business of life," Estan described as he tried to keep his story similar to that of the one he told Brenton when they first met. The gamma saw the rho look from him to Syri with questioning eyes, so he continued, "Syri and I are cousins. Syri has yet to meet his mate, so he has no ties back to our hometown. And we thought it would be a good opportunity to visit Alia since my mate is busy."

Syri's eyes narrowed as he realized just how nervous Estan was. Knowing the gamma, the zeta knew Estan was uncomfortable answering the rho's question, so Syri decided to do something about it. "Is there anything else you would like to know?" Syri's voice was not harsh, but it was firm as he addressed the rho. Syri sat up straight and slanted his lids as he waited for the rho's reply.

Estan looked at the zeta with slight surprise. The gamma did not know Syri could be this protective and was relieved that the zeta could fend for himself. Brenton pursed his lips as he replied, "I apologize for my impudence."

An awkward chuckle left the gamma when he realized how harsh Syri's words sounded. "Not at all. We appreciate your honesty. I would be wary of someone who suddenly showed up in my hometown as well," Estan responded.

"So what about you? You clearly don't belong in a place like Alia," Syri voiced, using the rho's question to inquire of Brenton.

"Ah...well, you are correct. Rosie and I are not originally from Alia. We moved here a couple of years ago when our parents passed. We have an older brother, but he is not in our lives anymore," the rho explained in response to the zeta's inquiry.

"I see," Estan responded. "Is there anything else you would like to know?" The gamma inquired of the rho softly. He wanted to break the awkward ice that had formed between the three after Syri's defensive response.

The rho shook his head and looked down. "I realize how sudden the questions were. I am sorry."

"Don't worry about it," Estan smiled at the hazel-eyed man kindly.

The rho nodded in understanding as he lifted his head. The man's eyes lit up as he thought of a cordial, non-prying question to break the ice. "You mentioned you were just visiting Alia. Do you know how long you plan to stay?"

The gamma pursed his lips as he pondered his response. "Until my mate is done with his duties," Estan answered confidently as it was the truth.

"I see," the rho responded with a small nod. "I hope your time in Alia is good and refreshing."

"Thank you. We hope so, too," Estan replied for both himself and the zeta, who had remained silent.

The rho let out a breath and nodded in response before standing to his feet. "Thank you for dinner," Brenton said to Estan as he began collecting the plates from the table and brought them to the bin stationed next to the counter that was filled with soap water.

"You can just let them soak," the gamma told the rho as he and Syri also stood to their feet. The gamma and zeta began to make a batch of coffee as Brenton wiped down the table.