The Lycan King’s Mark (Nevara) by Tiffanie L. Campbell novel Chapter 127

Nevara

“Where did Kael disappear to?” I asked as the courtyard quieted and the last of the staff retreated inside.

Thoren didn’t look concerned. If anything, there was a faint edge of amusement in his expression.

“Oh, immediately after Bethany’s arrest, he went to tend to his guest.”

I turned to him fully. “His guest?”

“Yes.” Thoren clasped his hands behind his back, far too composed for someone delivering information like that. “Kael found him outside the gates when he was returning from taking David to booking. Brought

him in. Told him to stay in his room until he finished business.”

I blinked. “He just… brought a man inside the castle?”

Thoren’s mouth twitched. “He’s head of the guard. He does have that authority.”

“That’s not what I meant.”

“He was a bit excited,” Thoren admitted. “Apparently he thought the man had ghosted him.”

I stared.

“You’re telling me Kael was worried about being ghosted?”

“Yes.”

By the Goddess.

I felt something warm bloom in my chest at the thought. Kael, who carried himself like carved stone, worried over something so painfully human.

“Well,” I said softly, unable to stop the small smile tugging at my mouth, “good. I really hope that works out

for him.”

“So do I,” Thoren replied, and this time there was no teasing in his voice.

Before I could press him further, the courtyard doors burst open and two small bodies barreled inside,

grass–streaked and flushed.

“I won!” Noah declared breathlessly.

Jonas skidded in beside him. “He cheated!”

“I did not!”

“You tripped me!”

“You tripped yourself!”

& Chapter 127 – The Boys‘ First Night

They both stopped short when they saw us watching.

“Inside,” I said, though there was no real reprimand in my tone. “Wash up. Dinner is ready.”

They groaned in unison but obeyed, racing each other toward the hall bathroom.

Thoren leaned closer to me. “Think they suspect anything?”

“Not yet.”

He gave me a sidelong glance. “You’re enjoying this.”

“A little.”

The sound of frantic handwashing and dramatic accusations echoed down the hall.

“He used too much soap!”

“You smell like dirt!”

“I smell like victory!”

I bit back a laugh.

$25 Points

Dinner was intentionally simple. Michelle had insisted. Nothing formal. Nothing that would make Jonas feel like a guest at a state function.

We gathered in the smaller dining room instead of the grand hall. Nathan and Natalie were already seated when the boys returned, hair damp and faces scrubbed pink.

“Evening, troublemakers,” Nathan said warmly.

“Hi, grams and pops!” Noah chirped as he climbed into his chair.

Jonas hesitated, glancing at them curiously before sitting.

The meal passed in a blur of half–told stories and overdramatic reenactments of wooden sword battles.

Jonas ate quickly.

Too quickly.

He kept glancing toward the hallway like he expected something else to happen.

When his plate was nearly clean, he looked at me.

“Is prison food bad?” he asked.

The table went quiet.

Thoren set his fork down gently. “Why do you ask?”

Jonas shrugged. “I just… wondered. If Mama is eating bad food.”

Noah leaned in. “Do they have beds in jail? Or do they just sleep on the floor?”

Chapter 127- The Boys‘ First Night

I exchanged a look with Thoren.

“There are beds,” he said calmly. “And the food isn’t meant to be cruel. It’s just… plain.”

Jonas absorbed that.

“Okay.”

Noah nodded like that information satisfied him.

I reached for my water glass and took a slow sip.

“After dinner,” I said casually, “we have a surprise for you.”

Two pairs of eyes snapped up.

“What kind of surprise?” Noah demanded.

“You’ll see.”

They devoured the remainder of their food in record time.

Natalie laughed softly. “Slow down. You’re going to choke.”

“I’m fine!” Noah insisted through a mouthful.

Jonas wiped his face with a napkin in exaggerated maturity. “I’m finished.”

“Are you?” Nathan asked, eyeing the smear of sauce near his ear.

Jonas froze.

Natalie reached over and wiped it gently. “There. Now you are.”

Once the plates were cleared, I stood.

“Come on.”

They raced ahead of us down the hall.

We stopped in front of the newly prepared door.

Noah tilted his head. “This isn’t my room.”

“Open it,” Thoren said.

Noah didn’t hesitate.

The door swung inward.

For a moment, neither boy spoke.

+25 Paint=

The room glowed softly under warm lighting. Dark wood bunk beds stood against the far wall, carved

wolves etched into the posts. One side dressed in deep navy. The other forest green. A wide rug sprawled across the center with toy chests neatly lined against the wall.

3/5

Chapter 127- The Boys First Night

A low shelf held books.

Another corner housed carefully stacked boxes of Legos.

Two small desks stood beneath the window, tablets already charging.

Jonas stepped forward slowly.

“This is… ours?” he whispered.

“Ours,” Noah corrected automatically, though his voice held awe rather than possession.

“Yes,” I said gently. “Yours.”

Jonas ran straight to the bunk beds and gripped the ladder. “I call top!”

Noah blinked. “Why?”

“Because I’m older.”

Noah considered this. “That makes sense.”

I covered my mouth to hide my smile.

+25 Points

Nathan stepped into the doorway behind us. “And before either of you decide to test gravity from that

height-”

Noah turned, grinning. “It’s sturdy!”

“Still,” Nathan said, “we are right next door.”

Natalie waved from behind him. “Right through that wall. You knock, we’ll hear.”

Noah beamed. “Okay, grams and pops.”

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