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You’re expecting too much from him right now. He needs you, not the other way around.

Right. Of course. She knew that.

It just bleeding hurt, all around.

“You have that pinched look on your face again.” Fern was on her stomach, chin in her hands and feet kicked up behind her, smug as anything.

The second Lunara finished healing her, Fern went straight to being a menace, flying everywhere and wreaking her usual havoc. Like being directly responsible for an all out brawl on the practice fields.

“Yes, well.” Lunara sighed. “That’s to be expected.”

“Hmm. So, when are you planning to get up?”

Lunara snuggled deeper into the blankets. “I’m not. Maybe if I wait here, it’ll be like no time has passed at all.”

Fern snorted. “It’s literally been two days. You went months without him, and there’s shit to do. You’re fine.”

“Like what?”

“Unbelievable.” Fern shook her head, gaping. “You’re really going to pretend you don’t remember the deal we all made yesterday?”

Oh. That.

Araxis brought Brand’s response and used the opportunity to beg Lunara to see to some of her duties, citing the fact that she had nothing better to do in the interim. He also swore up and down that she’d be safe and out of harm’s way, thus upholding the promises she made Brand.

At first, Lunara denied him, using Fern and her need for continued healing as a very convenient excuse not to go. That was when the damned Fae traitor opened her mouth and informed everyone that it was a good idea for Lunara to go, that it was only herself who shouldn’t be in the Evesong because it didn’t feel right there, and that there was plenty for her to help with in the Montrealm.

Of course, a neutral guard was required in her stead. Hence, the deal.

Lunara would go with Araxis for a few hours every day, provided both Hedda and Faldir were with her at all times. Lyriat made it official by signing a decree for the twins to carry—that as a Demon and Imperial Daughter-by-proxy, as well as Nachthelliae’s Blessed Keeper, she required a Straelani guard to accompany her everywhere.

If she was being honest, there was the tiniest part of her that felt a bit wicked about it, impatient to see which side of her people were made more uncomfortable by the arrangement.

Her pitiful gold was on the Council and Elders.

Well, shite. Now she was nervous again.

Don’t be. It’s fine. You’ll have the twins and Araxis, and you’re the bleeding Keeper. What can they even do?

The Council could unanimously vote to cull her, for starters.

“Damn, Moonweaver.” Fern’s brows shot up. “I had no idea you could be more pale. You look like you’re about to hurl. What’s the matter?”

“I just remembered there’s a group of creatures who can vote to murder me if I piss them off, and they’d have every right because it’s one of the main points of their existence.”

“Uh.” Fern recoiled. “No, you bum blossom. There are quite a few important people who’ll make sure that never happens, starting with your own blimmin’ self.”

True. You can simply set the whole Council on starfire. Easy.

A knock sounded and Hedda popped her head in. “Ready? Araxis has arrived.”

At least he had the decency not to mist straight into the chamber.

“She’s currently sulking and wearing a dress she’s had on for a week.”

Lunara rolled her eyes. “I wasn’t wearing it the whole time and…oh, never mind. Give me a minute.” She groaned her way out of the bed and commanded any filth away from her body, summoning a few gowns from her pocket of the ether.

“Definitely the lavender,” Fern said, surveying them.