Ardis and Averin, with Maelor trailing quietly behind them, soon reached Sissira's hut. The faint scent of dried herbs drifted from inside, and warm firelight flickered against the walls.
Sissira looked up the moment they entered.
"So, how were they?" she asked.
"Okay, I guess," Averin said casually as she dropped onto a seat. Maelor followed and sat beside her, his tail curling lazily around his feet.
Sissira's gaze shifted to Ardis.
"Ardis, what did you think of them?"
Ardis sat down slowly, folding her hands on her lap.
"They are confident," she said after a moment.
Sissira smiled faintly.
"Tell me in detail."
Ardis nodded and began recounting everything, the gathering, the introductions, the personalities of each male, and the arrangement Averin and the Snake Chief had proposed. She spoke calmly and steadily, describing their strength, attitudes, and the plan to spend a day with each of them starting tomorrow.
When she finished, Sissira nodded thoughtfully.
"It is good to take some time," she said. "You should not rush such a decision."
She studied Ardis carefully.
"So, who do you like?"
Ardis hesitated before answering honestly.
"There isn't someone I particularly like."
Sissira was not surprised, but Averin leaned forward with interest.
"I think Ardis prefers gentle and mature beastmen," Averin said, nodding to herself. "Not the loud and boastful type."
Ardis did not deny it.
Sissira chuckled softly.
"But everyone is arrogant at first," she said. "Especially those who are powerful. Strength makes young males prideful."
She added calmly,
"As time passes, they face many hardships. Only then do they mature."
Sissira looked at Ardis with a meaningful gaze.
"What matters is not how they behave in front of others, but how they treat you when no one is watching."
Averin nodded in agreement.
"Tomorrow you'll know more. One day alone is enough to see many things."
Ardis lowered her eyes slightly, feeling both anticipation and unease.
Tomorrow would be the first time she spent time alone with one of them.
"I think finding someone you can truly talk to is important," Averin said thoughtfully. "Someone you can hold a conversation with… someone who can understand your views and challenge them when needed."
She paused, glancing outside. The sunlight was still bright, though it had begun to soften toward late afternoon.
"Come with me. I'll walk you to the Fox Tribe today."
Ardis nodded. After saying their farewells, the two of them stepped out together. The air was warm and quiet, carrying the gentle rustling of leaves and distant voices from the tribe.
They walked until they reached a shaded clearing between the paths that led toward the outer territory.
"Wait here," Averin said, stopping beneath a wide tree whose branches cast cool shadows over the ground. "The others will be here soon."
Ardis nodded and stood beside her.
For a short moment, neither of them spoke.
Then Averin looked at her with an unreadable expression.
"When I see you," Averin began slowly, "it feels like I'm looking at my younger self."
Ardis blinked in surprise.
"You want to develop feelings before bonding, don't you?" Averin said, her tone calm but certain.
Ardis hesitated.
There was no point denying it.
She nodded.
Averin studied her quietly before speaking again.
"To be honest, I don't recommend doing that."
Her voice had changed. It was no longer teasing or gentle; it was serious.
Ardis looked at her in surprise. It was the first time she had seen Averin so solemn.
"Why?" she asked.
"There are many reasons," Averin replied. "Most who insist on forming feelings before bonding end badly. Your father must have told you some of the stories."
Ardis remembered the tale and the quiet warning in Aeron's voice.
Still, she frowned slightly.
"Then why did you do it?" she asked stubbornly.
Averin fell silent.
For a moment, the only sound was the wind moving through the leaves.
Her eyes drifted somewhere distant, as if looking at a memory she had long since sealed away.
But she did not answer.
Just then, footsteps approached.
Two figures emerged from the path, Zayreth and Vaelrix.
"Let's go now," Averin said, her usual smile returning as though the earlier conversation had never happened.
Ardis could not help noticing how easily she shifted her expression.
They began walking again, Averin and Ardis in the middle while the two snake beastmen followed slightly behind.
After a short while, Averin spoke again, her tone light.
"So, how many batches of brothers do you have?"
"Four batches," Ardis answered.
"Oh, that's nice," Averin said approvingly. "A close family makes things easier."
After a pause, she added casually, "I had six batches of hatchlings."
Ardis looked at her in surprise.
"Then… where are they?" she asked curiously.
"Two batches have already reached adulthood," Averin explained. "They rarely stay in one place now. Two batches are still young and usually learning with their fathers. Oh, one of the batches might transform soon; they are usually running here and there with others. "
"And the last batch?" Ardis asked.
"They haven't hatched yet," Averin replied. "Nyssor looks after the eggs."
Ardis's eyes widened.
She hadn't realized Averin's family was so large.
Averin noticed her expression and laughed softly.
"Surprised?"
Ardis nodded honestly.
"Aeron is younger than me," Averin said with amusement. "Much younger."
Zayreth chuckled behind them. "Not that she lets anyone forget."
Vaelrix snorted quietly.
Averin ignored them both.
Ardis had always assumed that her father was older than Averin. Learning otherwise left her quietly astonished. She walked beside her aunt in thoughtful silence.
Her surprise must have shown on her face.
Vaelrix noticed immediately.
"Heard our niece is choosing her first partner," he said dramatically, placing a hand over his chest as if struck by emotion. "Shouldn't we inspect them? Make sure they are worthy?"
His tone carried exaggerated seriousness, but his eyes sparkled with mischief.
"No need," Averin replied with a dismissive wave of her hand. "Ardis will spend time with them and judge for herself."
Ardis nodded quietly.
"Yes," she said softly. "I will."
Vaelrix sighed theatrically. "Such responsibility for someone so young."
Zayreth chuckled beside him.
Averin ignored them both and turned toward Ardis instead.
"Get ready for tomorrow," she said with an encouraging smile. "First impressions matter, even when you pretend they don't."
Ardis nodded again, her cheeks faintly pink.
"I will."
Before long, the familiar outlines of the tribe came into view. The huts stood quietly beneath the late afternoon sun, smoke drifting lazily upward from cooking fires.
When they reached the entrance path, Averin slowed.
"Tell Aeron and your mother I will visit tomorrow," she said. "I am busy today."
Her tone was casual, but there was a hint of intention behind the words.
Ardis nodded. "I will tell them."
"Yes," Zayreth added with a solemn nod. "She is very busy."
Averin immediately smacked his arm without looking at him.
Zayreth only laughed softly.
Ardis smiled faintly at the familiar exchange before waving goodbye and heading inside her family's hut.
She did not look back, but Averin and her partners remained outside until they saw her step safely through the doorway.
Only then did they turn to leave.
The walk back was unhurried.
After a while, Zayreth spoke again.
"My dear," he said lightly, "I think I need a few more snakelings. I get quite lonely."
Averin gave him a flat look.
"You already have plenty."
Zayreth only smiled, clearly unbothered.
Averin continued walking before adding casually, "Besides, the next batch is obviously Korvahn's."
She gave Zayreth a sideways glance as she said it.
Zayreth pressed a hand to his chest in mock injury. "Cruel."
Behind them, Vaelrix's eyes lit up immediately.
He leaned slightly toward Maelor and lowered his voice.
"Did you hear that?" he whispered. "Zayreth wants Korvahn's turn."
Maelor's mouth curved into a quiet smile.
"Oh, Korvahn will definitely want to know."
Vaelrix nodded seriously, already looking pleased with himself.
"Yes. It would be wrong not to inform him."
Neither of them looked the least bit guilty.
Ahead of them, Averin walked calmly, either unaware or choosing not to notice.
Zayreth, however, glanced back once and narrowed his eyes slightly.
He had a feeling trouble was already being prepared for him.
And Vaelrix, walking with barely contained amusement, was clearly enjoying every moment of it.