Kovi's response surprised me.

She explained how much pain Dad had caused her when he left and that he would have to rebuild their entire relationship, but she was mostly okay with him returning.

If I didn't know better, I would think she missed him.

But I did know better, and I knew she was mostly doing this for Sev and me. I didn't have to say that I was tired of raising her. She could see how much happier I was after a few months without her.

I loved her and Sev more than anything in the world, even more than Eres. But I hadn't realized how much stress they were causing me until it was gone. It felt like the weight of the world had been lifted off my shoulders.

Which was strange, because in the last few months I had actually gained the power to change the world. For better or worse.

Kovi laid down her rules. She explained that she would not welcome him back with open arms and that he would have to pull his weight.

Again, I found this strange, because Kovi never pulled her weight. I was the only one with a job.

But I kept my mouth shut because I didn't want to upset Kovi and have her back under my care.

After about an hour and a half of talking, I found myself sitting sideways on Eres's lap with my legs draped over the side of the chair. I had fallen asleep at some point, even though I don't remember it happening, and a blanket was lazily draped over me.

At some point Sev had woken up, maybe that was the only notable thing that had happened when I was 'asleep', and she was very interested in the concept of Eres.

She had only seen him a few times even though we had been traveling together for days, and most of those times I wasn't with him or touching him. Now she was very confused because I was laying on a 'boy' and 'Veya doesn't go near boys'.

Eres made a snide comment about how I'd been very near him, so he must be special and different.

This led to raised eyebrows from Kovi, a scowl from my father, and another confused look from Sev, followed by 'well obviously'.

My new sideways position made it harder for me to elbow him in the ribs, and when I tried he grabbed both of my wrists in one hand.

How? I had no idea. I couldn't break out of his grip either, which was frustrating and slightly embarrassing.

"Let go of me." I scowled at him. "I have magic, don't make me use it."

"I still have those restraints." He smirked. "Don't make me use them."

Kovi choked on her drink. "Please tell me that doesn't mean what I think it means."

My eyes went wide. "Anti-magi restraints. I had to wear them in Kalhiem." I shot Eres a glare, he was just smiling. "Vertez bracelets essentially, restraints is a loose term."

Kovi narrowed her eyes at him. "Why do you still have them?"

"I don't. Serena has them." He smiled at her.

I glared at him. "Let me go."

"Make me. If you're so powerful." He had a playful look in his eyes.

"Okay, no. We're going to talk about what happened with you two." Kovi turned her chair to look at us. "The last time I saw the two of you, I got yelled at for telling Eres my name. So what changed?"

"Everything, basically." I sighed.

"Thank you, Veya. That's very enlightening." Kovi rolled her eyes. "Details. I need details."

"You should ask the other council members. They were watching us almost the whole time." Eres noted.

Were? We still are. Cassius.

I would've fallen out of the chair if Eres wasn't still holding onto me.

I'm going to kill each of you slowly and painfully.

Eres might kill Javus first. Depending on how he's feeling today. Irina.

I'll slit your throat. Right now. Javus.

I'm not going to ask.

"Are you okay?" Kovi stared at me.

"Is there a way to make them stop?" Eres looked at me.

"Oh, mind link," Kovi answered her own question. "You picked up on that fast, it took me a few years."

"Blind them," I mumbled.

"Thank you," Eres smiled at Kovi. "She gets this weird unfocused look in her eyes when it happens."

"Yeah, like she's zoned out or something." Kovi nodded.

She suddenly shook her head. "You're distracting me. What changed? How did you go from hating each other to being engaged?"

"Well, we aren't technically engaged." Eres tilted his head to the side. "There's just an agreement that I can marry her or the princess of Verkaina."

"The princess of Verkaina is fifteen," I added.

"And even if she wasn't I love you, not her." Eres gave me a look. He turned back to Kovi. "So we're essentially engaged, even though there has been no proposal."

"Not even a ring?" Kovi frowned.

"No." Eres drew the word out. "Well, not yet."

They looked at each other for a second too long. I decided to use my Map magic.

I can help with that. Come find me when you need help with that.

Eres leaned back and nodded so slightly that I almost missed it. I could use help. Hopefully, that's what she means.

What if she's threatening me? What if that's a threat and not an offering? She's smiling, is that an evil smile or a genuine smile.

"She offered you fruit the first time she met you. Do you think that's an evil smile?" I looked at Eres.

Kovi glared at me. "Keep your magic out of our brains. We were plotting."

"I figured it out, eventually." Eres frowned. "But you're just as bad as the other council members."

Don't even.

Wasn't planning on it. Cassius.

I sighed. "Any other questions?"

"Did you like your friend before you met Veya?" Kovi narrowed her eyes at Eres.

"Yes, I'm actually still madly in love with her," Eres said in a sarcastic voice.

Kovi smiled. "Just checking."

...
why is airplanes playing rn. WHY.

why are you on my recommended music.

cAn wE pReTenD tHat AirpLanes-

istg i don't want a wish rn.

As of right now, I'm thinking I'll end this book at 55, but not positive.

<3