Dragoncrest Cliffs But I’m still tired of sleeping with the light on

Bronco made it through his faltering speech, the look on his face combined with his soft voice tugging at her heartstrings. I miss you, she thought, drawing in a breath. The revelation of his relationship with Fennec had caused her quite a lot of grief, though even now, Meerkat couldn’t really explain it, even to herself.

Before she could think of how to reply, a small shout made her flinch. Her eyes cut sideways to see her son approaching the borders. Despite how much Meerkat championed her children’s independence, her heart leaped into her throat when she saw Ray here. His disobedience was a secondary concern, his safety the first.

She doubted Bronco posed a threat, though she nonetheless moved swiftly toward her son, putting her body between him, the borderline and, by proxy, her elder brother. Meerkat gave her son a look of reproof, though its edge was softened by the strain in her eyes. Maybe his uncle wasn’t dangerous, but the border was no place for a lone, meandering puppy.

Stingray Sveijarn-Corten, she said, voice soft but stern, what do you think you’re doing here? You know better than to leave the beach without an escort. She let out a breath. I want you to stay right beside me, young man, and do exactly as you’re told. Come.

Steadying herself with another breath, Meerkat glanced at Bronco and began to walk back toward him. They may have drifted, yet she reminded herself he would never dream of hurting her or her children. All the same, her eyes flickered apprehensively between brother and son. She suddenly felt like she understood her own mother’s overbearingness a little bit better.

Bronco, this is my eldest son, Stingray. His brother, Swordfish, and sister, Vixen, are back at the rendezvous site, where they should be, Meerkat said, hoping the other two hadn’t followed their wayward brother’s example. Ray, this is your Uncle Bronco. He was just going to tell me what he’s been up to lately when you interrupted, she finished, shooting Ray one last stern look before she caught Bronco’s eye.