──────⊱⁜⊰──────

𝐒𝐈𝐍𝐂𝐄 𝐒𝐔𝐂𝐂𝐄𝐒𝐒𝐅𝐔𝐋𝐋𝐘 𝐇𝐄𝐀𝐋𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐆𝐑𝐘𝐍𝐀, Evylyn had taken two weeks to hide away inside their house, under the guise of preparation. She was not ready to face the world again. Last time she had, she'd faced a noose that, sure, wouldn't have killed her, but it was the sentiment that counted.

Vareia had been patient. Gryna had been patient. And yet, despite the fact that her own fears were keeping her back, Evylyn had been impatient. Not towards Vareia or Gryna. She was impatient with herself for letting her negative thoughts run rampant in her mind.

She sighed, glass bottles clinking together under her grasp as she poured the next batch of the antidote into the mouth. It was a slightly more dull gold, but it still shimmered as though Evylyn had taken an ore of gold directly from the side of a stream. Thanks to Gryna, they'd be able to transport multiple solutions at a time. Eki'na had been both their partner and mentor, and he'd taught them how to manipulate glass, which led to a mountain of glass bottles sitting before Evylyn.

She glanced at Vareia, who was smiling at Gryna, and swallowed the butterflies fluttering in her stomach. Her gaze fell back to the bottle she was holding, and she fidgeted with the sling, running the frayed rope through her fingers.

She knew she was attracted to Vareia. And as much as she prided herself on her ability to be direct, she couldn't be direct with this. She didn't know why. She'd never had an issue with it in the past... but granted, whenever she told others what she thought of them, it usually ended with them upset with her. While she didn't understand that, either, she supposed she didn't care.

And after she'd told Vareia she hadn't feared telling the truth–she had no issue telling the Cimibil she was beautiful, because she was, but it felt... different. Different, and scary, and Evylyn hated it all.

"Hey, Ev!" Vareia's cheerful voice snapped her out of her melancholic thoughts, and she looked up. "Do you think you're ready?"

"Ready for..." going into the town.

She was far less prepared than she'd like to be. Following plans and mentally preparing herself for ages was how she rolled. She did not like Vareia's spontaneity and tendency to pull her into situations she never wanted to be in.

But maybe that's how Evylyn was supposed to grow. Because she sure as hell hadn't grown much spending years in forced solitude.

"Facing the town," Vareia said, though her voice was softer now. "It's alright if you're not ready."

Evylyn stilled, staring at her glassy reflection in the bottle. And the demigoddess who looked back at her looked timid. Afraid.

Exactly what Evylyn didn't want to be.

"I'm ready," she said, glancing up at Vareia, who had been playing with her hands.

"Oh!" Vareia said, chocolate eyes widening and eyelashes flittering. "Are you sure?"

She nodded, hand straying to her dress as she balled the fabric up into her hand. "I'm sure."

So Vareia took her by the hand and led her outside before Evylyn could say any more, with Gryna trailing behind them. Evylyn weighed the single bottle she'd brought in her hand, fingers tightening around the clear glass. She had one shot to get this right, so she'd only need one antidote.

And as Vareia guided her deeper into Ensceas, Evylyn looked up, and could see nearly every mortal walking the stony streets was ogling at her like she was some exotic prize. Her face burned hot, and her hand instinctively jumped to her hood, ready to pull it up, but something tugged at her hand.

She looked down, and Vareia was looking up at her, a kindly smile stretching across her lips. Evylyn's breath hitched in her throat, and after a moment, she allowed her shaking hand to fall to her side.

She wasn't quite sure where Vareia was even taking her. They hadn't discussed what they'd do once in the city. They hadn't talked about how they were going to solve this.

Evylyn gulped.

But as Vareia led her past the heart of the city and towards the corpse of Ensceas's dragon, Evylyn knew exactly where they were going. To the very council that had made her name illegal.

"Don't worry," Vareia said, squeezing Evylyn's hand as they approached the gates. Evylyn hadn't a clue how no one had stopped them, especially when it seemed like she had been recognized, but she was going to chalk it up to them either not believing it was her or not having an interest in trying to kill the demigoddess who had stabbed someone in the eye the last time she visited.

"Don't you think they'll..." Evylyn let her voice drop as the stern glare of the awaiting guard practically tore through her, "not want me here? I mean, did you see the way the townspeople were looking at me?"

"You'll be fine! If they have a problem with you, they'll have to go through me."

As if to prove her point, Vareia used her free arm to flex her muscles. Evylyn would've laughed, but all she could muster was a shaky smile.

"Halt, citizens!" the guard hissed, his hand on the hilt of his sword. "Or should I say criminals?"

"Criminals?" Vareia blinked, looking up at Evylyn before glancing at the guard. "I don't see any criminals here."

"Right there," the guard growled, unsheathing his sword and jabbing it at Evylyn. She took a startled step back, and Vareia walked in front of her, eyes narrowed.

"She's not a criminal. She's a hero. There's a solution to the disease that's been plaguing your city, and it's in her hands. If you don't let her in, your town will continue to suffer."

The guard froze, his green eyes warming slightly. But he did not relent his hold on his sword. "And how am I to know this witch won't enter and kill everyone in sight? There is a bounty on her head for a reason."

"Do you have dead bodies lying around the hall?" Evylyn retorted, to which the guard narrowed his eyes.

"No," he said after a moment. Swiftly stepping to the side, he beckoned for them to enter. But as Evylyn walked inside, she could feel the tip of the guard's sword digging into her back. "You make one wrong move, and you're dead, witch. If the council doesn't arrest you first, that is."

They can try to arrest me, Evylyn thought, rolling her eyes. Hasn't worked in the past.

She was led to the meeting room, a spacious room with a long table and chairs at the top of the stairs constructed at the end. It was structured similarly to a throne room, but instead of a king or queen sitting at the top, there were five mortals. The red and gold hues from the tapestries and braziers surrounding them bathed the hall in a fiery light, and Evylyn found herself dragging her feet across the plush carpet that ran from one side of the room to the other.

The murmurs that had been rippling through the board came to a halt as they noticed the four souls before them.

"What is the meaning of this?" a feminine voice rang out, the question chilled. "We're here to discuss private matters. Not entertain some peasants."

"Luvi, please," a masculine voice said, chuckling. "Excuse her. But yes. Why have you brought these..."

The man trailed off as they neared enough for Evylyn to be recognizable. Whispers tore through the group again, incensed and hushed.

A moment later, the same man spoke. "Have you brought a wanted criminal into the vicinity?"

"Well, yes," the guard said. "But she says she has a cure."

"A cure?" the other woman said, icy interest lighting in her orange eyes. Her long fingers framed her sharp face as she tilted her head. "Go on."

The guard jabbed his sword deeper into Evylyn's skin, though not with enough power to break skin. She scoffed, swallowing her nerves before looking up to the council. "My... My name is Evylyn. You know me as someone who practices banned magic. But I present myself to you as someone who has harnessed necromancy magic to cure, not destroy."

When she was met by silent interest, she held up her bottle.

"I've been working on a cure for this disease for years. Though I did not cause it," she said, narrowing her eyes, "I wanted to help fix it. With this recipe, you can cure all of Ensceas."

"Hm," another voice said, their crimson eyes wide as they stared at the golden bottle. "And you know this works?"

Evylyn nodded.

The same mortal was silent for a moment before shrugging and looking at the other council members. "I don't see why we shouldn't allow her to show us this."

"Because necromancy is banned!" Luvi, her strong features flared, protested. "There's a reason she's a criminal!"

"But if she speaks the truth, and she used necromancy to solve this, then surely it can't be all bad," the sane mortal, a Phixesse, said. "I think we can all benefit from thinking a little more open-mindedly."

"This is why I voted against you," the strong-featured woman grumbled.

"Well, I was voted in for a reason, Luvi," the Phixesse replied before gesturing to the guard behind Evylyn. "Bring in one of the prisoners."

The guard obeyed. It was quick, as the prison was connected to Ensceas's Great Hall. Evylyn had found that out years ago.

And the mortal was in a worse state than Gryna had been, with the scaly rash Gryna had developed plastered over their entire body. Her eyes were bloodshot, and her hair was a tangled mess of black.

Evylyn stepped forward, her hands trembling as she handed the potion to the guard. He took it without a word, uncapping it and slipping the mixture into the prisoner's lips.

Evylyn's skin was clammy as she tried to breathe evenly, closing her eyes. The thought of this all being for nothing was practically all she could think about.

But a moment later, the same amazing transformation Gryna had gone through healed the mortal. Her skin cleared, becoming smooth and black, and her blue eyes cleared. She gasped, shuddering, like it was the first clear breath she'd taken in years. Her body trembled as Evylyn's hands had, but when she dragged her eyes up to Evylyn, a weak smile had grown on her face.

The council was silent.

"Have you made any more of these, Evylyn?" the man asked after a moment.

"We have dozens," Evylyn said, her mouth dry and heart pounding. Deep down, she hadn't expected this to work. "It requires both a necromancy and healing mage to do."

"I imagine we don't have any necromancers in Ensceas right now," the man said, chuckling. He looked at the other council members, smiling. "I say her ban is lifted, and she is given housing within the city to cure the sickly."

"I don't see why not," the Phixesse said.

"Wait!" Luvi snapped, curling her hand into a fist. "She is a criminal! Why would we allow her in the city?"

"She just performed a miracle, Luvi," the man said. "She can help us cure our people. Do you not want that?"

Luvi remained silent, crossing her arms with a huff.

"We will congregate and figure out your reward, Evylyn," the man continued. "Stay in the local inn, and we will send a courier when we are ready for you to return. You have done Ensceas a great service if you are truly able to heal every sick individual. Thank you."

Whatever Evylyn wanted to say was replaced by an odd-sounding wheeze, and she simply smiled when she realized she wasn't going to be saying anything intelligible. The pressure from her back was lifted, and Vareia guided her outside, practically jumping for joy as she did. Gryna advanced past them, saying they'd book a room in the inn the mortals spoke of. Evylyn felt she didn't want to argue against someone doing a favor for her, which was a first.

"We did it!" Vareia squealed as Gryna walked away, twirling in place as she threw her hands into the air. "I'm so proud of you, Evylyn!"

Evylyn wanted to reply, but with her head swimming, she slid down a tree trunk as she looked up to Vareia. Before she could respond, Vareia was sitting in the dirt with her.

"I always knew you could do it," Vareia said, voice a gentle caress as she took Evylyn's hand in her own. All of the feelings Evylyn had bottled up for Vareia in the past weeks felt as though it was going to overflow, and Evylyn would be glad to let that happen.

Evylyn pulled away slightly to look Vareia in the eyes, biting her lip as warmth shot throughout her body. Vareia met her eyes, and she could hear the Cimibil's breathing quicken.

And before she knew it, she was leaning in.

She took Vareia's lips in hers, which were somehow softer than her eyes. Vareia wasted no time in returning the kiss, and Evylyn could feel Vareia's gentle hand cup her jaw. Her curls brushed Evylyn's face, and Evylyn pushed them away as she wrapped her arms around Vareia's shoulders. Vareia was warm, she was fierce, and best of all, she was perfect. Maybe not perfect to others, but perfect to Evylyn.

After a moment, Evylyn drew back, and Vareia followed, breathlessly smiling. Her hair was wild, and she looked like she wanted to pull Evylyn back in. But instead, she quietly said, "That was really nice."

Evylyn laughed, genuine happiness alighting in her soul for the first time in years. She took one of Vareia's hands with both of her own, and it felt natural.

"Meeting you was the best thing to ever happen to me," Evylyn said, grinning as tears welled in her eyes. Resting her forehead against Vareia's, she closed her eyes, letting the tears drip down her cheeks. She felt lighter now, like the perpetual weight she'd been carrying on her shoulders had been lifted.

All the pain she'd been through, all the pain she'd seen... she'd grown stronger from it, and she'd done things she'd never have thought possible. She'd also come to realize something.

She'd finally done something for the benefit of others.

She was proud.

THE END.

──────⊱⁜⊰──────

Word Count: 28,200/20,000

A random bolded word in a chapter indicates where I've passed a milestone!

QOTC: What did you think of the book? Continue on to the next chapter for some more questions ;)

──────⊱⁜⊰──────