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I almost managed to force a blush to my cheeks as I looked up at Solomon, and I definitely pulled off the awkward glance down, the wringing of my fingers and the shame colouring my expression.

Scorpio definitely approved. Secret keeping and the odd stint at manipulation were among his core traits after all, whereas Libra was probably having a proverbial meltdown over the tos and fros of my gambit.

But even Libra knew that sometimes lies were required to maintain justice and it was only fair that I got to leave the Astral Sanctuary with my head intact, ready to become a living legend who would secure the win for Cascada in the Endless War.

“I see,” he sighed.

“I hid behind the Taurus statue in the Heliacal Courtyard,” I whimpered.

“I thought I would make a fine warrior. My father, Commander Rake, he is such a great example of the type of Fae I want to be. But he always knew I was a runt. He named me a Provider. I should have believed him when he said I wasn’t cut out for this.

” I raised my scarred hand, releasing a tremoring sob and even squeezing a couple of tears out.

“This is my greatest shame,” I breathed.

“I tried to hide it, but I cannot cast with this hand. I am weak. I am no warrior.” I cowered, curling into a ball at his feet and to my surprise, Solomon couched down to lay a hand on my shoulder.

“We are all made for greatness in our own ways. The stars have a path for you, child, I am sure. It might even be a greater one than a battlefield, or perhaps you will find you don’t balk at the next fight which comes your way.

The stars will decide what you are made for during your graduation trial.

You have done well. Now, return to your quarters. ”

I sniffed, pushing myself to my feet and expelling a spiel of praises to Solomon, then I turned and hurried across the flagstones toward the exit, not meeting Harlon’s eye until I was right in front of him.

I glanced up, finding his jaw ticking furiously.

“Praise to the stars,” I purred.

His jaw tightened further. “Praise to those who tread their destined path.”

I bowed and side-stepped past him to the door, making my exit and letting a smile fill my lips as I broke into a run toward the Vault of Frost.

When I made it back to my room, I let out a laugh that was bordering on manic, moving to stoke the embers in the fireplace. The fire blazed greedily and I thought of losing myself in forging, celebrating my little ploy with a brand new blade.

A large figure moved by the window, highlighted by a flash of lightning at their back and a cry of alarm left me as I shot a dagger of ice right at them.

The Fae melted it and cast a Faelight above their head, revealing Galomp there in his night gown.

“I am sorry to be a bother, but I could not sleep.”

“By the stars, Galomp.” I held a hand to my racing heart, sagging against the white stone fireplace. “You can’t go sneaking up on me like that. How did you even get in here?”

He twiddled his thumbs, looking guilty. “I disabled your magical lock, Miss Everest. Are you angry with me?”

“I – no, it’s fine,” I huffed out, his round face and glinting eyes too damn innocent to be mad at, though I was irritated at myself for not casting a better lock into place. “What’s on your mind?”

“You and the Fury.” He twiddled his thumbs again. “He was here, then there were spiders, then I went back to sleep and for a while I thought, oh boy, that was a nasty dream, but it keeps coming back to me, Miss Everest.”

“It was real,” I admitted. “The Fury has something he wants from me.” I tried to say more about the Fearsire soul-tie, realising how deeply I had come to trust Galomp, but the magic of Kaiser’s possession forbade me.

I had so many other secrets I could tell him instead, about the Void, the monster, the Dragon, the portals - and Prince Dragor destroying said portals.

But every one of those secrets could put Galomp in danger, and I liked him too much to risk it.

I sighed, walking over to my bed and flopping backwards onto it.

“I saw you slash Ransom Rake’s bottom,” Galomp added. “Was that real too?”

“Yup. Real. But Kaiser made me do it.”

“I do not like Furies, I have decided. All Orders are equal and good, but Furies are not. They can die out, yes they can. I would not shed a tear.”

“Me either,” I agreed, propping myself up on my elbows. “Are you going to tell the Reapers about any of this?”

He scratched his chin. “No.”

“Why not?”

“I went into the Reapers’ tunnels. I am bad too.”

“You’re not bad. And I’m not bad either, Galomp. I think, maybe they’re bad.”

He inhaled a sharp breath, clapping a hand to his mouth. “You should not say that,” he said against his palm.

“I don’t know what to believe anymore.” I lay back down onto the bed, feeling so damn tired, my brain hurt.

“I will not tell anyone, Miss Everest,” Galomp said, drifting closer. “You are my friend. Friends do not tell tales on other friends.”

I gave him a smile at that and patted the bed. The whole structure creaked as he dropped down beside me.

“I heard Ransom Rake say that his bottom is most painful and that he cannot sit on it without placing a cushion with a hole in it beneath him,” Galomp revealed, and I sniggered, my eyelids falling closed and lightness filling my chest.

“I am glad we met, Miss Everest.”

“Me too, Galomp,” I whispered as sleep stole me away, hoping no dreams would bother me while I rested. And if they did, then let them be of the warm, Cascadian sea.