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Through stiff lips, Alex asked, “What detailsdidyou hear?”

Niyx was hesitant to respond, that much Alex could see. But he held her gaze and said, “I know Aven was involved.” He paused. “And… I’m sorry, kitten, but Zaronia didn’t survive.”

Alex closed her eyes, feeling the weight of that wash over her as she thought about the majestic purple matriarch. “What did Aven do?”

“Again, I don’t know. But it wasn’t—” His throat bobbed, then he continued, “It wasn’t long after you left. I always wondered just how much Aven remembered; if perhaps while he forgot the particulars of you like everyone else, he was still able to recall visiting Draekora with the faceless mortal who broke his heart. Perhaps he wanted to wipe that memory from his mind, and he chose to do so in the most horrific way possible.”

Shaking now, Alex forced herself to ask, “Xira?”

Niyx shook his head and she felt her lungs seize until he answered, “I don’t know. I only heard about Zaronia.”

Alex sagged with relief, since no news meant there was a chance Xiraxus had survived Aven’s massacre. Where he had fled to or how long he had lived—perhaps even if he was still alive—she didn’t know; all she could do was hope he truly had escaped Aven’s wrath and led the draekons to safety.

“That’s awful about Zaronia,” Alex whispered, feeling even more upset at the idea of Xira losing his mother. “But I’m glad you didn’t hear—I’m glad he might still be—”

She couldn’t finish her sentence, but Niyx squeezed her hands, understanding, before releasing her and stepping back. “I know, kitten. I feel the same. Then and now.”

Swallowing thickly, Alex nodded once and said, “Thanks for telling me. And now you’d better get back to Meya before someone starts looking for you.”

Knowing Alex almost better than she knew herself, Niyx clearly read that she didn’t want to dwell on the fate of the draekons—or of Xira—anymore. So he did what he always did and made her feel better, this time by offering her a distraction.

“Before I go, we should quickly discuss Kyia and Zain.”

Alex’s forehead crinkled. “I already agreed not to tell them about you.”

“I’m more concerned with them figuring it out on their own.”

Alex just looked at him, waiting for an explanation.

“I told you last night that I’mZeltora-trained, but what you won’t know is that each Meyarin warrior has their own individual fighting style. It comes out in the way we execute certain moves, almost like a personal signature. And since most of your more advanced training can be credited to me—”

“—then I’m probably copying your signature when I fight,” Alex finished, understanding. “That’s a bit of a stretch to think they’ll make that comparison though, isn’t it?”

Niyx scratched his ear. “We’d be unlucky. And Ididcomplete my training alongside Roka, so they could just as easily read the similarities between his and my styles as your own take on what he supposedly taught you, rather than thinking about me at all.”

Alex chose to focus on that as a positive—just as she focused on the fact that Niyx had successfully managed to pull her from her melancholy over what she’d learned about the Draekorans. She was still upset by the news, but whatever had happened had been over and done with thousands of years ago. Lingering on the past would do her no good—both Xira and Zaronia would have wanted her to continue onwards.

“Then what’s there to worry about?” Alex asked him, determined to remain optimistic—about everything. “Nothing’s a problem until it’s actually a problem. And right now, the possibility of Kyia and Zain learning about you is not a problem.”

“But if it becomes one—”

“Then we’ll cross that bridge if we come to it,” Alex interrupted firmly. “As for problems thatdorequire our immediate attention, I desperately need a hot shower and some breakfast. So, if you don’t mind…”

“Yeah, yeah, I’m going,” Niyx said, throwing the now sodden towel back to her. “I’ll see you at dawn tomorrow.”

Alex stilled. “What? Why?”

He looked at her as if the answer should have been obvious. “Training, kitten. You know—that thing we’re doing so you can survive long enough to save the world?”

“But tomorrow’s a school day.”

Those were the words that came out of her mouth, and judging by Niyx’s expression, he wasn’t certain whether to laugh or lecture.

“Wait, don’t say it.” She held up a hand to cut him off before he could do either. “I know that sounded stupid. Just leave before I say something even more idiotic.”

“As you wish,” he said, his voice bubbling with humour. “Good luck with your Mr. Mystery Man tonight. Check in with me once you’re done so I know you survived.”

Fully aware that he’d be the first to know if shedidn’tsurvive, since he wouldn’t either, Alex still nodded her promise. She then watched as he activated theValispathand took off, leaving her alone with her still comatose roommate.