Sophie's POV

I tear my hand away from her, still feeling the tightness of her grip. I watch her as I see emotions I've never seen on her face play out.

"My son gave you that ring?" She confirms.

I nod. "He proposed to me yesterday."

And I need to get back home to him so I can live my happy ever after that I have dreamed of since I realized what I wanted from him.

She stays silent, which raises my anxiety. Then she gets up.

"That's it?" I ask her. "Why did you look so surprised earlier?"

She freezes and her hands slowly touch the marble of the kitchen counter.

"Well," she taps her fingers nervously, "I gave Keefe that ring."

I feel myself go into shock.

"I told him when he finds the right one who fulfills the three conditions he set, then he can give her that ring," her back is still turned away from me, but I can hear her throat start to clog up, which throws me off even more.

Is she, crying? Gisela? Not possible. But the fact she might be makes me heart clench for some reason.

"What were the three conditions?" I ask, curious as to what Keefe was searching g for in me.

"The first was that she made him feel loved," she starts tapping her fingers again, "The second was that there was mutual trust."

She doesn't continue her sentence, so I prompt her. "What was the third one?"

Silence for a few moments, then I notice her hand reach up to her face. She wipes her face, then turns around.

"I forgot," she says.

I search her face. She's lying. But I can tell it's not a selfish lie. It's something she wants Keefe to tell me. And as much as I hate the woman in front of me, I agree with her. I just want to be with Keefe right now. Thankfully, FItz was able to receive my transmissions, so they should be coming soon.

"But I guess this means you are Sencen now," she straightens up. "Since my son chose you."

I scoff, letting out a sarcastic laugh. "Let's not try to act like this is a normal Mother and Daughter in Law relationship."

She surprisingly lets out a small smile as well. "Thank god, I don't have the capacity for that."

"Oh, I know," I roll my eyes at her.

This is all so strange. Talking with Gisela. About something other than people dying. I look down at the ring and admire it. It's a beautiful gold winded ring that has diamonds nsd encrusted in it.

"Did you bug this ring, too?" I feel obligated to ask.

She gives me a look of disbelief. "Do you really think my whole son's life was bugged?"

I give her one of those looks that makes her roll her eyes.

"No, that ring is not bugged, you can check with your Goblin bodyguard to confirm. Which by the way, when are your little friends coming to get us? There's no hidden leaping crystals in this country," she says.

Should I tell her about my conversation with Fitz? What if she tries to run away? She doesn't look like she's in any hurry to leave though. But still, I shouldn't trust her.

"They'll come when they come," I answer plainly, earning a scowl from her.

Silence falls over the room and I retreat to my thoughts. Should I contact Fitz again? Maybe the first time wasn't convincing enough. I feel like they would've been here by now. Maybe they are busy. We are not technically in high danger right now, but she could pull out a truck any second. I look over at her and watch her stare out the window. It's snowing. She anxiously twitches with the fabric of the couch. I close my eyes. I'll just try one more time. 

'Fitz!' I transmit as far as I can, trying to imagine him. 

The teal eyes I used to admire so much almost become bitter as I place the image in my mind. 

'Fitz, please answer me. It's Sophie!' 

I wish I didn't have to call him, but he has the strongest connection to my mind. Even more than Forkle. 

I am about to call again, but then I feel myself in his mind. 

'Fitz?' I transmit to him. 

'What' he transmits back, but it sounds stricken. 

I bite my tongue. I know how he is. If I agitate him, it won't go well for me. 

'Are you guys coming for us now?' I ask him. 

I feel a headache start to build up because of the mental energy I am using. 

'Sure,' he answers. 'Stop transmitting to me.'

'What is your problem?' I can't stop myself from asking. 

I get it that him and I didn't work out. But I am now an engaged woman. Things can't be like how they were when I was 13. He can't expect coddling all the time. 

Before he can answer, an image flashes through his mind. Then more images. And they quickly start to pass by. 

'Fitz, what's going on?' I ask concerned. 

His connection cuts off. It looks like someone else was there. I have to check these memories. I rack my brain for the images just shown to me and play them through my head. One by one, they play the scene through my head. 

I gasp, opening my eyes. Lady Gisela looks over at me, concerned. 

"What, what happened?" she asks. 

I close my eyes and confirm the scene to make sure I'm not imagining it. 

"Keefe and Fitz are fighting," I start," And it looks like Fitz did not tell anyone where we are."

"What do you mean by that?" she stalks closer to me. 

I swallow the lump in my throat. "It means, no one is coming for us."