"No matter how many times I climb this hill…" a familiar voice sighed behind us, "I'll never get used to it."
I turned around. "Soren!"
His green eyes lit up the moment he saw me. "Holland!"
He ran over and pulled me into a tight, enthusiastic hug. I laughed, hugging him back just as fiercely.
Behind him, Nicholas crested the final stretch of the path, looking far less energetic as he caught his breath.
"How did you get here so quickly?" Nicholas asked Kasteil, still panting.
"I drove," Kasteil replied simply.
Nicholas stared at him. "But yesterday you were still in the capital."
Kasteil shrugged. "I drove."
"…"
Nicholas looked thoroughly unconvinced.
"I can't believe you brought Holland," he complained, though his eyes sparkled with amusement. "I was planning on snitching to Aunt and Uncle."
"Dumbass," Kasteil muttered.
Nicholas grinned shamelessly and reached for Soren's hand. "Baby, let's go say hi to Aunt and Uncle."
