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“Finally back on the fields,” Azriel said. “Congratulations.”

“When you two give me the chance to hold a sword, I am going to win you both in the first duel,” Freya said.

Azriel laughed, sheathing his sword. “And my reward after I win would be?”

“Let’s not get ahead of ourselves,” Zavian said. “Has Lydia been spotted?”

“No,” Azriel answered. “My spies haven’t seen her anywhere recently. It’s like she disappeared.”

“Not a good sign,” Freya breathed out.

“And no attacks so far,” Zavian added. “What have they all been up to?”

“We need to act before they do,” Freya said.

.....

“Call Aloysius out before he initiates the war,” Zavian said.

“Exactly.”

“I thought of it, but I need the men to train harder. I need the witches to reinforce us with their spells…”

“The more we wait, Brother. The more we give Aloysius the chance to grow stronger every day.” Freya said. “And I need the witches to perform the healing spell on me.”

Zavian’s eyes widened. “That’s too painful, even for the strongest of demons.”

“Even when I was wounded I chose to take my time to heal,” Azriel added.

“All those circumstances were different, this is a great battle, and I need that spell because we don’t have time,” Freya said. “I will take every pain. And besides, I heard it is just like the pain of childbirth, not something females don’t experience on a norm.”

“They will expunge every wound from inside out, and you’d experience the pain you did when it was first inflicted. Are you sure you want that?” Azriel asked.

“I have given it a lot of thought, so yes,” Freya said, determined. “I will take it, and so far, no one has died from it, right?” Freya’s eyes popped wide, and she looked at Zavian. “How again did you say Neera was able to speak with Lydia?”

“They met up, why?”

“No, before then,” Freya said. “Neera must have been told about what to do somehow. And since she was ill, and was only able to see Lydia at night, she would have been caught somehow.” Freya whirled so fast to look at her brother he held out a hand in case she fell or tore a wound.

“Did you ask her?” Freya said.

But Zavian didn’t, and he shook his head. He had been too angry that time to even remember the minuscule details of what she said.

“She could be our link to Lydia,” Freya said, staring beyond both of them to the men lazing around in the sun, some lying down on the hot red soil, panting, some downing water, and others stretching out their bodies.

“We need to head back,” Freya told her brother. “I have a few questions for your dear wife.”

….

Penelope was busy cleaning Neera’s chambers as Neera sat quietly on the edge of the bed. She saw the Queen’s eyes go to the mirror, and Penelope looked at the vanity table, trying to see if there was anything of interest there.

But there wasn’t, and this quiet Neera was someone Pen had come to grow to understand and getting used to, even though all she knew was there was a huge fight between her and the King, but nothing more than that.

“What is faster? Hot or cold?” Penelope asked as she dusted behind the curtains.

Neera raised her head and blinked till the daze in her eyes brought her back to the present. “Huhn?”

“I asked what is faster? Hot or cold?” Penelope repeated her question.

“Uhm…I think…hot?” Neera answered, unsure.

“Correct,” Penelope beamed. “You can easily catch cold.”

“How can you…oh, I see what you did there,” Neera’s lips wore a ghost of a smile.

“What starts with a ‘t’, ends with a ‘t’, and is full of ‘t’?” Penelope threw her another riddle.

“Pen, that doesn’t make any sense.”

“Pen, that doesn’t make any sense,” Neera smoothened a crease on the bed, paying her friend no mind.

“Just answer the question,” Penelope insisted.

“Okay,” Neera raised her head as if the ceiling held the answers. Penelope continued dusting, her focus shifting between Neera to the tabletop.

“I really have no idea,” Neera said at last. She looked at Penelope. “A string of t’s?”

“Wrong!”

“Then tell me.”

“A teakettle!” Penelope laughed.

“How does a… Oh!” Neera joined in on her laughter, falling back to the bed. Penelope put down her duster and sat next to her friend.

“That’s so silly,” Neera said, and managed to leave a trail of giggles till it died, and Penelope was grateful for the little smile that still remained on her lips.

“I know,” Penelope said. “I was only trying to cheer you up.”

Neera sighed. “I am not the best company to have around these days, am I?”

“You are.” Penelope refuted, and with reckless abandon, she laid back down, facing Neera when she turned sideways. “I love your presence, it is more than enough. But I still miss you.”

Neera felt bad. Zavian wasn’t speaking to her, yes, but next to her was a friend who was ready to go above and beyond for her, who had been there for her in the good, the bad, and the ugly times altogether.

“I am sorry,” Neera apologized. “Just give me some time. I will be back.”

“And the offer still stands, Neera,” Penelope smiled at her. “If you need someone to listen or help in any way, I am here.”

“Pen,” Neera sat up, and Penelope did the same. “Do you sometimes feel I burden you too much by doing that? By always looking like the friend who needs to vent?”

“What?” Penelope had no idea where Neera got such a thought. “Neera, no. Why would you say that?”

“You have done so much for me and I feel I have done so little…”