"What?" Ada cried first.

Arlo blinked at Vena. "Pardon?"

Vena pursed her lips. "I'm going with Lily. If the Gongjensu come after her, then..."

She didn't need to finish her sentence. It was clear to everyone what she meant. If Invida Monarcei or Gloria Sovranus came after Lily, Vena could have her revenge.

"Vena," Iressa said gently, "Think this through—"

"I have."

"What about your parents?" Arianna said. "They've already lost Venix, now—now you?"

"They lost me when they lost Venix," Vena said, her eyes darkening. "There is no me without him."

Edra stalked forward and stood right in front of Vena. "That is the grief talking. You were twins, but you were separate people. You are not your brother, and your family needs you."

"She's right," Lily said, looking at Vena gently. "You are still here. Your parents need you."

Vena pressed her lips together, her jaw tensing, but in the end, she gave them a sharp nod and spun to stalk out of the room, leaving silence in her wake.

"We'll leave you to rest now," Bruto said finally. He and Colonel Ulima left the room. Edra gave Lily a nod and something approaching a smile before following.

"Arlo," Iressa said, before he could leave. "I need to talk to you."

He gave her a quizzical look. "Yes?"

Iressa took in a deep breath. "I know we didn't let Vena go with Lily, but I—I'm going."

"Iressa!" Ada said, blinking at her, her hand tightening around Lily's.

"Iri, what are you talking about?" Arianna said, her eyebrows furrowing.

Iressa pursed her lips. "I need to leave. I can't stay here, knowing that Brenn—that he's still here, locked up in those cells."

"But—"

Iressa cut Lily off with a look. "I don't have family here. I've been on my own for a long time, and Lily's like family now. She'll need someone there, with her, too."

"I can't ask that from you," Lily said, shaking her head.

Iressa gave her a wry look. "You're not asking. I want to—need to go. I can't stay."

"What about us?" Ada said, her cheeks bright red, her lips trembling. "You can't leave me."

Iressa sighed. "Ada, I need this. I can always come back in a year or two."

"So, you're running away?" Ada's voice shook—with sorrow or anger, Lily couldn't tell. Probably both.

Iressa glanced at the floor. "Ada, you have Adrian and your father. You'll have to be here for Vena—"

"And you won't?" Ada's voice was shrill. "She's just lost Venix, now she'll lose Lily—and you too?"

Iressa dropped Lily's hands and took both of Ada's in her own. "I can't stay. Knowing that he's here, so close, I can't," she breathed. "I promise you, I will return."

Ada's face softened, and she sniffed. "Iri," she murmured, throwing her arms around the other girl. They stood there, locked in an embrace.

Until Adrian shifted on his bed and his eyes opened, startling all of them.

"Adrian!" Ada gasped, pulling away from Iressa. She helped him sit up as his eyes flew around the room.

Elize quickly rushed to him a handed him a cup of water, which he downed eagerly.

"Wh—What's going on?" Adrian asked, his voice raspy. His eyes landed on Lily and widened. "Lily! You're awake!"

Lily nodded. "So are you."

He gave her a flat look. "Yes, I can tell."

Elize gave an unexpected snort, and then blushed.

"How do you feel?" Ada asked her brother, rubbing his back.

"Well, my head hurts, but I'll live," Adrian said. He turned to Elize. "I will, won't I?"

The healer pursed her lips. "Without a doubt. You were lucky."

"See?" Adrian said, grinning. "I'm fine. Now," he said, his face growing more serious, "Tell me what's happening."

"I'm being...sent to Qarini, probably," Lily murmured. She couldn't say exiled, not again.

Adrian blinked, looking confused.

"It's not safe for her here. She's a Gongjensu target, and now they know exactly where she is. She needs to leave," Arlo explained.

"So—Qarini?" Adrian asked, his face scrunching up.

"She'll be protected there—she'll be living with nobles or possibly the royal family itself. They won't expect her to be there," Arianna said, as if trying to reassure herself.

Adrian nodded, his eyes shadowing over as he glanced at Lily. "When will you leave?" He asked, his voice low.

"It depends on whether or not the Queen agrees," Arianna said. "But nearly two weeks, I suppose."

Adrian nodded, his eyes now sorrowful.

"And Iri says she's going with Lily," Ada said, sighing.

"What? Iri, are you mad?" Adrian asked, narrowing his eyes at her.

Iressa sighed. "I can't stay here, Adrian."

He seemed to understand. He nodded and turned to Arlo. "So, that's it, then?"

Arlo limped over to him and took his hand. "All we can do now is keep our settlement safe. The attack was successful."

Adrian closed his eyes and let out a deep breath, letting Arlo rub his back.

Lily felt tears burn behind her eyes again as she watched them—these people were family. Somehow, they'd included her as part of them, and now she was leaving. Again.

Adrian finally opened his eyes and forced a smile. "I suppose I'll just have to spend as much time with Lily as I can, then."

"Oh, yes," Arianna said, wiping her own eyes. She tried for a smile as well. "We'll all be hovering around you now, Lily."

Lily felt her lips pull up at the corners. "I wouldn't mind that very much."

"Well," Elize said, getting their attention, "Hovering is fine, but I'd prefer if you don't do it right now. I need to check her wound."

The others shuffled out, leaving only Elize, Adrian and Lily in the room.

Lily gave Adrian a pointed look, and he rolled his eyes before closing them. Elize pushed aside Lily's blankets and pulled up her shirt.

Lily grimaced at the bloodstained bandages wrapped around her torso.

Elize caught her look and grunted. "Imagine what it was like before we cleaned it."

"Ugh," Adrian said.

"Adrian!" Lily exclaimed, shooting him a look. Thankfully, his eyes were still closed.

"Don't worry, I'm not looking," he said, sounding exasperated.

"Good. I'm breaking rules by just having you in here," Elize said, her fingers prodding at Lily's bandages. She caught Lily's eye. "I'm going to give you something to dull the pain, alright?"

"Can I have some of that?" Adrian asked, as Elize poured a green liquid into a cup.

"Later," Elize called, handing the cup to Lily.

Lily swallowed it and waited for a while, until her limbs grew numb and the pain in her abdomen ceased. She looked away when Elize removed the bandages.

"That's probably going to put you to sleep," Elize added, grimacing at the wound. "So you won't feel it."

"Thank you for telling me," Lily murmured dryly, letting her head fall back. Drowsiness was already washing over her. She just hoped that she wouldn't wake up out of a nightmare.

"Sweet dreams," Elize said.

Lily shut her eyes, giving out a shaky yawn, as the herbs pulled her asleep.

Bit less heavy, right? I felt like I needed to lighten the mood a bit. But just a bit. Don't forget to:

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