"I’ve noticed sothing," Nix said, narrowing his eyes with exaggerated suspicion as he leaned closer. "Ever since you t Lola Brandon yesterday, you’ve been acting strange."
He lifted the small black bird perched on his palm and squinted at him like a stern interrogator examining a pri suspect.
"Don’t tell ," he continued slowly, "that you’ve fallen for her just because she’s a bird too."
"Chirp!"
Burnt Dumpling responded imdiately—by snapping his beak down hard on Nix’s finger.
"Ow—!" Nix hissed, yanking his hand back. "See? I hit a nerve. You do like her!"
He shook his head in slow, dramatic disappointnt, as though deeply let down by the revelation.
"Burnt Dumpling, be realistic," he lectured. "You’re just a regular bird. Lola Brandon is a full-fledged therian." He gestured emphatically. "You’re not even remotely the sa species. She’s completely out of your league."
Burnt Dumpling puffed up, feathers bristling, and let out an indignant chirp.
Nix leaned in closer anyway, his voice dropping into a mock-threatening whisper. "And don’t forget—you belong to Female Master Rory. If you ever dare betray her," he added darkly, "I swear I’ll roast you myself."
The sheer audacity of this ugly little thing—daring to even think about a female like Lola Brandon—left Nix utterly scandalized.
...
"Nix, what on earth are you doing now?"
Rory stepped out of the lounge, freshly dressed, just in ti to catch Nix in the middle of yet another intense lecture directed squarely at the bird.
The mont he spotted her, Nix reacted as if salvation had arrived. He promptly seized Burnt Dumpling and held him up at arm’s length like a piece of damning evidence.
"Female Master!" he declared urgently. "We’ve got a serious problem!"
He jabbed a finger dramatically toward the bird, eyes blazing with righteous accusation.
"Burnt Dumpling’s gone rogue—he’s fallen for Lola Brandon!"
"What?" Rory and Jasper said in perfect unison.
"Chirp! Chirp!"
Burnt Dumpling practically exploded with outrage, feathers puffing up as he screeched in protest.
That’s a lie! Absolute slander!
He wriggled free and launched himself straight into Rory’s arms, flapping wildly before settling against her chest. He shook his head so violently that his feathers fluffed out in every direction, eyes wide with desperate insistence.
"Chirp, chirp..."
Rory, you have to believe .
"Chirp, chirp, chirp, chirp!"
She’s my sister—my real sister!
Burnt Dumpling thrashed in Rory’s arms, feathers ruffled in pure panic, his agitation so intense it bordered on hysterical. Watching him flail and protest so fervently, understanding dawned on Rory almost at once.
Nix completely misunderstood.
She bit back a laugh and steadied the bird with gentle hands before asking softly, "Burnt Dumpling... are you trying to say you don’t like Lola? That Nix got it wrong?"
"Chirp! Chirp!"
He nodded so fast his head beca a blur, nearly knocking himself dizzy.
"Chirp, chirp!"
Rory, you’re the only one I like.
Then, as if desperate to drive the point ho, he rubbed his head fervently against her palm, pressing closer and closer, the very picture of loyalty and earnest devotion.
Absolutely no betrayal here.
None whatsoever.
Jasper let out a quiet sigh, rubbing his temple, the sound carrying equal parts amusent and exasperation.
"Nix," he said flatly, "stop provoking him. Look at this—you’ve gotten him so worked up he nearly started talking." He glanced pointedly at Burnt Dumpling. "That ’I’ earlier was dangerously close to actual speech."
He wasn’t exaggerating.
For a brief, unsettling mont, the sounds Burnt Dumpling had made had edged far too close to sothing disturbingly articulate.
Still, Nix frowned stubbornly. "But ever since we t Lola Brandon, he keeps disappearing. I had to go searching for him twice. And this morning, she was the one who brought him back."
"Chirp! Chirp!"
Burnt Dumpling puffed up furiously and squawked.
Would you just shut up already?!
He couldn’t believe Nix was digging this hole even deeper.
Rory stroked the bird’s sleek black feathers soothingly before stepping in.
"Maybe he was just curious," she said calmly. "It’s his first ti riding the starrail. He probably wanted to explore. As long as he doesn’t get lost, it’s not a big deal."
Then she handed Burnt Dumpling back to Nix, knowing his concern ca from worry, not malice.
"If you’re really afraid of him wandering off," she added thoughtfully, "tie a small chain around his leg. That way, even if he tries to run, he won’t get far."
Nix’s eyes lit up.
"That’s brilliant! I’ll make one right now."
"Chirp... chirp..."
Please don’t.
"Chirp! Chirp!"
Burnt Dumpling stared at Rory in pure betrayal, his eyes shining with misery.
How could she do this to him?
Rory rely smiled and patted his head.
"Don’t look at like that. You know you shouldn’t have run off. If you really got lost, Nix and I would both be devastated."
Burnt Dumpling went silent.
...Fine.
If being chained made Rory feel safer, he’d endure it.
Besides, with his rank, snapping a tiny chain whenever he wanted would be effortless.
***
As the starrail neared Central District, Lola Brandon stopped by to say her farewells.
"We’re almost there," she said softly. "Are you sure you don’t want to co straight to Aurelia with ?"
She truly wanted Rory to co—both because she liked her, and because of Vincent.
"No," Rory replied warmly. "I still have so things to take care of on Central District. But once I’m done, I promise I’ll co find you."
She had already given Kather her word—she would go to Aurelia and bring him ho.
Lola sighed, clearly reluctant. "Then you have to visit once you’re finished. I’ll be waiting."
"You have my word."
As Rory spoke, her gaze flicked briefly to the conspicuous marks along Lola’s neck, then to the two very cheerful mates standing close at her sides. A knowing smile tugged at her lips as she waved goodbye.
Once Lola had gone, Rory leaned closer to Jasper and whispered mischievously, eyes bright.
"Jasper... Lola and her two mates last night—was it what I think it was?"
She knew gossiping wasn’t exactly dignified—but she simply couldn’t resist.
Jasper nodded solemnly. "Rory... yes. It was exactly what you think."
Her jaw dropped.
Wow. Lola really is sothing else.
Jasper watched her stunned expression, faintly puzzled. He still didn’t understand why humans made such a fuss about bonding dynamics.
But judging by Rory’s face—apparently, it was very impressive.
User Comments
0 comments from readers