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Enid stepped into her space, crowding over her, using her height and strength. “I will.” She brought up a hand and traced a line along her cheek and jawline. “I won’t let them take you from me.”

Her cheeks flamed, the warmth falling over her like a waterfall. “I won’t let you start a war.”

“I’d like to see you try to stop me. I’m stronger than you.”

“I’m smarter, though.”

Enid chuckled. “You have me there.”

Cyrus let out a loud, exasperated sigh. “If you two could stop flirting, the doors are opening.”

Avenay jumped. She’d momentarily forgotten Cyrus was with them.

The doors opened, and they were ushered in. The room was vast, with a mosaic floor depicting the trials of the gods and the seraphs winning. A domed ceiling loomed above, glass letting light fall about them in beams. Ahead were five archangels, sitting on a dais. In the middle was Ilu. He gave her a pained expression. They came to a stop a few yards away from the dais.

“Avenay Claro, do you know why you were brought here?” Ilu asked, his strong, booming voice filling the room.

“I suppose it must be regarding the theft of an ancient artifact,” she responded, voice steady.

Ilu raised a bemused brow. The others let out exasperated sighs. If she’d been wrong, if it had been nothing but a lark, she would feel ashamed. But she hadn’t been wrong. She’d only been disgraced because others didn’t believe her. Because they took nothing she said seriously. But she had been right. She was right. And the world of academia would benefit from what she discovered.

“What do you have to say for yourself?” Ilu asked, a plea coating his voice.

She reached into the satchel across her body, rummaging around. First, she pulled out the two water skins of the healing water, thenThe Tales of Lemia. She’d wanted to leave it with Vasu, as she felt it belonged with the elves, but Vasu had insisted she take it with her. Perhaps, after all this, they could find a way to get it back. But he wanted to see her absolved of her guilt first. She was thankful to have a friend like him.

“I brought back the book, in good condition, but I brought back so much more as well,” she replied.

One archangel motioned to a guard, and he walked up quickly, yanking the book out of her hands, then took the water skins as well.

“What is this?” the archangel asked.

“It’s water that heals any ailment. It will stop working in about two weeks. A few drops should heal any disease. Evolis is real. They’ve agreed to let us send scholars for research. I can’t even begin to tell you what knowledge is held there, and how it could change the world.”

They stared at her, skeptical at first, then exchanged glances with each other, not believing.

“Lord Ilu,” she pleaded, “Go, talk to my sister. She’s healed now.”

He sat up straighter, hope and apprehension washing over his features. “Don’t lie to me, Avenay.”

“She’s not,” Cyrus and Enid said in unison.

Ilu looked at Cyrus. “You confirm this?”

“I can confirm all of it. I saw it with my own two eyes. Seraphina healed instantly from drinking this water. I also saw Evolis, it exists, andThe Tales of Lemiawere coded truth. Avenay was right.”

Murmurs rippled in the room, and the archangels conferred with each other. Cyrus had an excellent reputation, one for never lying or exaggerating. If they would believe anyone, it would be him.

They settled back, relief now on Ilu’s face, a spark of something like pride in his gray eyes. “For now, Avenay, we will review what you have shown us. But if it’s all as you say, then we believe what you’ve brought us here will more than make up for the transgression committed.”

Avenay exhaled a heavy breath. Everything really would be alright.

Avenay fixed the collar of Enid’s suit for dinner that night. Upon their return, Gerard had insisted on a family dinner to meet Enid. Enid stared into the mirror, eyes distant, skin pale.

“You look like you’ve seen a ghost,” she remarked.

“I know Lord Ilu isn’t fond of demon folk… and your father—”

Avenay hushed her with a kiss. “My father already loves you because I love you, and Ilu will, too.”