VENIX was onto her.

"Why don't you come to morning training anymore?" He asked again.

Lily pressed her lips together. "For the third time, Ven, I can't." She sighed, rubbing her head. It was aching after a nightmare she'd had of the attack. This time, Brennon had stabbed her, not Ada.

"But why not?" He pressed, glancing around at the others. No one seemed to notice their hushed conservation when they really should have been sparring.

"Look, I'll tell you later," she said, giving up. "Now let's get back to work, or else someone will notice."

Venix shrugged, grinning. "Alright, then."

Minutes later, Venix was flat on his back, panting amongst the grass.

Lily laughed, offering him a hand. "Are you alright?"

He gave her a scowl, but took her hand nonetheless. "You're getting so good it's almost scary."

Lily let a modest smile come over her face. "It's not my fault you aren't as good as I am." She was joking, of course—she and Venix were well-matched on most days.

He snorted. "Right."

Lily chuckled and glanced around. Vena and Iressa were paired together, with Ada taking a break. There were only five of them, now, so they alternated sparring partners.

The thought sent a pang to her heart, so she forced a smile and sat down beside Ada. "It's almost time for lunch, I'm done."

Venix shrugged and sat on Ada's other side. "Let's wait for these two, then."

When Vena and Iressa was done, they sat for lunch, Lily unpacking her salad. Since Arianna didn't stay with her anymore, she had to remember to make her own lunch, with her practically non-existent cooking skills.

"There's another bonfire coming up—day after tomorrow, I think," Ada said, lifting the silence.

Lily looked up. She hadn't heard about it, but it would be fun. They definitely needed something to lift their spirits.

"I don't know, I might not come," Iressa murmured, her eyes tired.

Vena sighed. "Iri, you have to come. You can't hide away."

Iressa's eyes flashed. "I'm not hiding away. I just don't feel like coming. There shouldn't be a problem with that."

Lily exchanged a look with Ada and opened her mouth. "It'll do you good, though, just a night of fun."

"Yes, at least come for us," Ada added, giving Iressa her signature wide-eyed, pleading look.

Iressa sighed. "I'll think about it," she muttered.

It was the best they could get out of Iressa, so Lily only smiled.

"I'm really looking forward to it," Ada said cheerily, obviously trying to lighten the mood.

"As am I," Venix said quickly.

Vena grimaced. "Iressa, would you like to sleep at my place tonight? We'd be happy to have you over."

"I don't know," Iressa said hesitantly.

"Please? I'd really love to talk," Vena said, giving Iressa a small smile.

Iressa shrugged. "Alright."

Vena grinned. "That's wonderful, Iri. Ada, Lily, why don't you two come as well? Then all of us can be there."

Ada nodded. "That should be fine. I'll have to ask my father, though."

They looked at Lily.

She bit her lip. "I don't know if I can."

"Why not?" Vena asked, eyes narrowing.

What was she to say? That she suspected the Gongjensu were going to come for her that night?

She shrugged. "I'm not feeling that well, I just think I'd better stay at home."

"Oh, just come, Lily," Ada said, "You'll be fine."

She bit her lip. "Alright, I'll come."

They grinned.

"Where will I go?" Venix asked, eyes incredulous. "I share a room with you, Vena."

Vena huffed. "Just sleep in mother and father's room today."

Venix's mouth twisted. "I'd prefer not to."

Vena swatted his arm. "Then sleep in the living room, just find someplace."

Venix sighed. "Alright, but you owe me."

Lily chuckled. Honestly, they fought just like her and Jasmine. She pressed her lips together, shaking her head. What would her little sister be doing? Had they found someone for her to marry yet?

"Lily!" Vena said, drawing her attention.

Lily shook her head. "Sorry, I was thinking of something. What were you saying?"

Vena sighed. "Will you eat dinner with us?"

Lily shook her head. "No, I'll eat at home and then come."

Vena nodded. "Alright. Well, I look forward to seeing you all."

"It's going to be fun." Ada grinned, clasping her hands together. Lily's stomach twisted.

"Get back to work, you lot!"

They all turned at the sound of the Colonel's voice, loud and jarring. She glared at them from across the field.

Lily sighed and stood up on sore legs, the others grumbling as they did so.

"The bloody thorn," Venix cursed, grimacing.

Well, perhaps things were going back to normal.

***

Venix caught up with her after their patrol, while she was walking back home.

Lily sighed. "What is it?"

"You said you'd tell me why you're not coming to training anymore," Venix reminded, and eyebrow raised.

Lily groaned. "Fine. Come to my house."

Venix grinned, and Lily rolled her eyes as she led him inside. "Tea?"

Venix shrugged. "Alright."

Lily handed him a cup and sat down opposite him. "I'm not coming to training anymore because..." She sighed.

"Why not?" Venix pressed, taking a long sip.

"Ven, I'm not supposed to tell you."

"You know I won't tell anyone, Lily, I swear," he said, eyes sincere. "You can tell me."

"You won't tell the others? Not even Gorno?" Lily asked, raising an eyebrow.

He nodded quickly, leaning forward.

"Fine." She exhaled. "Edra asked me to pretend to join the Gongjensu, and to get information. Obviously, I can't come to spy training."

Venix's eyes widened. "Wait. So—you're trying to join the Gongjensu?"

Lily nodded. "I have, technically. I think they're going to call me tonight, which is why I didn't want to spend the night at your place."

He nodded slowly. "Oh. So...how is it going?"

Lily shrugged, taking the now-empty cup from him. "I just joined yesterday. A Dezhayan asked me to join, in fact." She walked to the kitchen and put the cup down.

"That's dangerous, Lily," Venix said, as she returned to her seat.

She gave him a wry smile. "I know, but that's what we trained for. And besides, what do I have to lose?"

He raised both eyebrows. "Well, me. Vena. Ada, Iri. Arlo and Arianna."

She pressed her lips together. "I know. I love you all, I didn't mean it like that."

He nodded, leaning back. "So, have you heard from Arlo and Ari? How are they doing?"

"I visited them, after the attack. They're fine. A bit shaken, of course." She bit her lip. "I've been too busy to see them again. I should, though."

"We all should," Venix said, quietly. "Everything's so chaotic now, I've neglected my friends a bit."

"Agreed," Lily muttered. Especially since she had the Gongjensu now.

"Well," Venix said, after a moment. "I should leave now. Are you coming to our house, then?"

Lily bit her lip. "I don't think I should. I'll probably fake being ill."

Venix nodded, standing up. "A tip—put about half an onion under your armpit, it'll feel like you have a fever. It's supposed to be there for hours."

"Truly?" Lily asked, raising her eyebrows.

Venix nodded. "I've done it to get out of school, multiple times."

Lily pressed her lips together, trying to suppress a smile. "You shouldn't have done that."

He exhaled, grinning. "I know, I was just a kid. Anyhow, go ahead and do that."

"I will, thank you." Lily smiled, showing him to the door.

"But you never did these sorts of things in school?" Venix asked, tipping his head to the side.

"Oh, we didn't go to school. We had a governess," Lily said quickly, sighing.

"We?" Venix asked.

"My sister and I," Lily said, looking down.

"Oh," Venix said. "I—I'm sorry you lost her. That couldn't have been easy."

Lily shrugged. "It wasn't. But I'm sure she'd doing well now."

"So, you really were rich, weren't you?" Venix said, evidently changing the subject.

Lily shrugged. "We were, but a governess was common there, honestly."

"Ah." Venix nodded, and the two of them stood in painful silence for a few moments, before he said, "Well, I'll leave now. Try the onion. Goodbye." He walked out, giving her a wave.

"Goodbye," Lily said, shutting the door.

Now to chop an onion.

When someone knocked on her door, she pressed her arms to her sides, keeping the onion in place, and rushed to open it. "Hello, Madela."

"Come to the glade again tonight," Madela said quickly, "Don't bring any weapons. Adrian will come get you."

Lily nodded quickly, and before she could say anything more, Madela walked away.

Lily blinked and shut the door. So Adrian had been right. She definitely couldn't stay at Vena's now.

She ate a quick dinner and got into bed. Venix had said to keep the onion in place for a few hours, which she had. She'd eat a spicy chili right before Vena came, to look more flushed.

She kept the chili in her hand, waiting in the living room until she saw Vena walk over through the window. Vena looked confused, and a little irritated.

Lily bit down on the chili, heat exploding through her mouth quickly. She panted, muffling the curses Venix had taught her.

She took it out, taking a few deep breaths, and threw it away. She downed some cold water, soothing her mouth.

"Lily?" Vena's voice came from outside.

"Coming!" Lily called, trying to sound weak. She put on her tired face and stumbled to the door, opening it slowly.

Vena's eyes widened. "Lily?"

Lily gave her a small grin. "Hi, Vena."

"You look sick," Vena stammered, stepping up. "Go inside." Vena shut the door behind herself and turned to Lily.

"I am sick, I don't think I should come tonight. Just in case," Lily said. She faked a cough.

"Of course not!" Vena said, looking worried. "You rest, it'll be fine."

Lily felt a twinge in her stomach at how quickly Vena believed her, but forced a smile. "Are you sure?"

"Of course!" Vena said, taking her hand and leading her to the bedroom. "We'll be fine. Rest, Lily."

"Thank you so much," Lily said, her heart thudding as she laid down on the bed and pulled a blanket over herself.

"Get better," Vena said gently, giving Lily a soft smile.

"Thank you. Goodbye," Lily said, twisting her fingers together underneath the blanket.

"Goodbye," Vena said quietly. Lily watched as she walked outside and shut the door. She waited and watched through the window as Vena walked away.

Once Vena disappeared, she sighed and relaxed, climbing out of bed slowly. Her mouth was still burning, but she ignored it as she pulled the onions out and threw them away.

Now she smelled.

She washed her underarms quickly and tied up her hair. It would be best to get some sleep. Adrian had the spare key, so he could come in and wake her up easily.

Sighing, she got into bed again and shut her eyes, the toll of staying up late for so many days weighing down on her. In moments, she was asleep.

Writer's block is fading. Still not that happy with this. And you know the drill: Don't forget to:

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