Chapter 152: Welcome Home – Part 2

~ ZEV ~

"You're back," Lhars breathed. "And… safe?" His brother watched him warily, one strong predator in the presence of another in whose reception he was uncertain. "All of you?" he asked, and his voice quivered with fear and uncertainty that should have broken Zev's heart for the compassion that showed.

Why didn't he feel it?

Zev nodded once. "Yes. But only by the grace of the Creator," he muttered back.

Lhars blinked once, then his body slumped. "Thank God," he said and threw himself at Zev, pulling him into a hug so tight, Zev almost couldn't breathe again.

There was a flash of panic in his chest, a moment when his hands tightened on his brother to push him away. But then Lhars' voice bloomed in the link.

'We've been praying every day that you'd made it safely. I'm so glad. So glad, Zev. Thank the Creator… we were so scared.' And his brother began to weep on his shoulder.