Rory stared at Paros in stunned disbelief.
"What did you just call me?"
For a moment, she thought she must have misheard.
Paros rubbed his eyes and slowly sat up. He looked at her seriously—then said it again.
"Sister."
He reached out, took her hand, and spoke with a hint of grievance in his voice.
"Big Sis… why didn't you sleep with me?"
Rory blinked in frustration.
"Rory, something's not right with him." Yuel's voice came through, low and concerned.
Rory nodded slightly. "When I found him, he was covered in injuries, and his mental power was collapsing. I used your blossoms to save him… but then we were caught in the snow surge. He hit his head. His mental sea collapsed."
Could it be… brain damage?
"Mother, you're awake!" A cheerful voice suddenly rang out—from the top of Paros's head. "And Daddy's awake too!"
The small, deep-blue fruit bounced twice where it sat, as if it had springs.
Rory's heart skipped. She instinctively flinched—afraid it might roll right off.
