"What about your father?" Taiyi said, almost growling. Her son had become… clingy.
Eltanin didn't know what to say. He let out a long exhale. His head bobbed up and down as if trying to blame his parents for a conspiracy against him. He couldn't stop himself from asking and so he blurted out, "Are you planning on deserting me?" The question was for his father, but it was directed to his mother.
Taiyi had had enough of this boy. She walked to him and flicked his forehead.
"Ouch!" He rubbed his forehead. "What was that for mother?"
"Good Taiyi!" Alrakis encouraged his wife. "Maybe that will give him some sense. He is behaving weirdly these days."
"I am behaving weirdly?" Eltanin said loudly. "It is you, father! You are the one who is behaving weirdly. At every damn opportunity you want to leave me and go away when there is so much to do out here!"