Eletheria rode home with Lex and her family; they were all packed tightly into the carriage due to Momma taking the other carriage for Thio. She missed Thio but knew her mom would ensure he was taken care of. She was currently wedged between her father and Lex. While it was good to see them, she preferred to see them from the other seat in the coach. The other seat contained her little sister Germana, Aunt Ve, and Sal. While she understood everyone was cramped she just wished others could have ridden in the other carriage as they dropped Thio off at an inn.

“How did you fly without a pack?” Jerry asked.

“I didn’t, I fell, not even gracefully I imagine.” Ele answered.

“But Auntie V can fly,” Jerry said. “I hope I can fly one day.”

Auntie V uses a magical cane with a thousand trapped fairies inside it.” Ele said. She ignored the stern look she got from her Aunt. The largest smile and joy appeared on Jerry’s face and even before she could ask the question, Ve corrected Ele.

“No fairies, just lots of Quan and copper wrapped iron.”

“How long did you fall?” Sal asked as he looked out the window.

“I don’t know. I was out until Thio shook me awake with the pack. We were maybe three hundred feet off from the sea.” Ele said.

Sal gave a low whistle before speaking, “you guys are lucky he didn’t get a parachute pack, it takes a couple hundred feet to open and work.”

“It isn’t something I plan on repeating ever.” Ele said.

“You better not, or I’ll make sure your grounded until you’re an old maid.” Ele’s father said. “We already gave one child to the wind, can’t we just keep these two on the ground?”

“Now, Nicholas, Ele has the potential to be one of the most powerful wielders of Quan. If she listens, that is.” Aunt Ve said.

“Listening and flying those ships is what got Nico and Ty killed,” Nicholas Zephyr said. His mouth twisted as if he needed to spit out something foul.

Ele could feel her arm hairs rise as her father and Aunt Ve glared at each other. This close to her aunt she could almost feel a thumming of power from her.

“If you are seeking to place blame on BOTH of your son’s deaths, then I’ll be happy to direct you to the Red Sun or its pirate friends. If you wish, we can make sure you are on…” Aunt Ve’s vitriol was interrupted.

“Enough,” Sal said. “Everyone who boards that ship knows the risks. Without those who serve, or who fight, who knows where our people would be.”

The coach was silent until they arrived at Ele’s home. When the coachman opened the door, Ele wanted to rush right out and take a deep breath of air but waited. First, her sister, then her Aunt, finally, she was allowed out. Behind her were Lex and her father. Sal stayed in the carriage but poked his head out of the window.

“See ya around, Ele; I got to get some clothes then I got to head back to the ship.” Sal waved to everyone as they said brief goodbyes. The coachman hopped back onto the carriage and it took off into the night.

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No other carriage was in front of the house. Ele was thankful; while her many cousins were good people, right now she just wanted to spend some time with her parents and sister. The idea of spending time with her immediate family brought back a fuzzy memory of her older brothers trying to get her into trouble. They used to get into so much trouble, but that had doubled when they had figured out that if Ele got into trouble first, any punishment they received was lessened.

It wasn’t that her Pappa was harsh as he doted on all of his kids. Her mother, like Aunt Ve, was a very by-the-books and orderly person. While she was stern Ele was sure her mom would do anything for her children. Pappa said that Mom had changed once Nicodemus and Tyco had died. Ele wondered if part of the change was this protectiveness of her family. She was twelve when Nico and Tyco’s ship crashed. She had to stop herself from thinking about the past. She was home, alive, and would soon be in her bed.

“Ele.” A voice stopped Ele from walking up the stairs into her home. The voice belonged to Lex, and suddenly, Ele felt guilty for not talking to him more. The whole trip back, he had seemed quiet and sullen. The rest of her family continued up the steps into the house.

“Lex! I am sorry. It has been a long night and I am just happy to be home,” Ele replied, hoping his feelings were not hurt.

“Ele…” Lex started to say but paused. Ele stepped closer to him and placed a hand on his shoulder and looked into his eyes. Lex wasn’t short; it was just that Ele was tall and he was average so their heights matched.

“What is it, Lex?”

“Do not let my stoic exterior deceive you. I was greatly concerned when you went missing, and I grieved for a few days thinking you were dead.” Lex had trouble looking her in the eyes. Ele thought she saw some moisture on the sides. She hadn’t seen him cry since Nico and Tyco had died. She was playing with Lex in the back when Momma informed them of the loss. Lex had looked up to Tyco. Lex turned his head to the side and brushed a hand across his face. His sleeve had drifted close to one of his eyes. “It was during my grieving that I realized how much I cared about you,” Lex continued after a long pause.

“I also realized how important the people in my life were…” Ele started to reply, but Lex held up a finger, indicating he had more to say.

“Now that I have a second lease upon happiness…” Lex started, and soon Ele was looking at the top of his head as he lowered himself to the ground. It wasn’t to the ground. It was to a single knee! Ele’s heart started racing as she realized what was happening. “Ele, I promise that if you wed me, I will jump after you if you fall from another airship.” Lex’s hands opened up to reveal a simple ring. It had no adornments on it, just a solid metal band. Ele recognized it as the wedding band her Aunt had received from her grandmother while in a slave camp. Ele momentarily looked up in the night sky to gather her thoughts and saw a bright star hanging above. It helped her gather her words and courage.

“Lex, you are dear to my heart,” Ele said, knowing that even before she opened her mouth, only one response would not break Lex’s heart. She only knew she wanted to sleep and let things return to normal. She continued, even though she could tell this was hurting Lex, “you have thought much about this. I beg you to allow me the same; I am still recovering from being home. In fact, it was just a few days ago I had eaten some bad berries, and if it wasn’t for Thio…” At the mention of Thio, a dark cloud went over Lex’s face, but it left quickly, “I would be a corpse on some beach. Please allow me a few days to consider my future.”

“I just do not wish to lose you again,” Lex said, still kneeling before her, but the ring was back in a pocket for safekeeping.

“Lex, you are my best friend; you will never lose me.” Ele kissed him on the forehead and helped him up. After a brief hug and Lex turned around and started walking towards the gate. His family estate was a little way away, and Ele guessed he probably wanted some time alone.

Ele walked up the stairs to the house went through the already open door. Inside the foyer her father and aunt were sitting awkwardly on the little bench by the shoe rack. They were musing about the weather and both had a mischievous look about them. Her father wide eyed and obviously giddy looked questionably at her.

“So?” Papa asked.

“So?” Ele replied. She knew what he wanted, but she first wanted him to admit they were watching.

“Did he ask?” Papa asked, while Aunt Ve stood there, slightly behind him, with a smile on her lips.

“Ask what?” Ele said as she removed her shoes and started walking towards the stairway.

“Did he ask for your hand in marriage, silly girl? We saw you two talk out there,” Pappa finally admitted as his patience gave out.

“Yes, he did,” Ele told him.

“Excellent. I will send out the announcement, and your mother and I will start…” Pappa started to say, but Ele’s look stopped him. “You didn’t say yes? I thought you liked Lex.”

“I do, I love him. It was just a few days ago I thought I was going to die, and if it were not for Thio.”

“Do you love Thio, then?” Ve asked in a cold tone with a slight raise of an eyebrow. Ele felt the hairs on her arm raise a little but crossed her arms and it disappeared.

“I don’t know. I want to sort things out before I make any decisions,” Ele replied and stifled a yawn. “I have a second chance at life, which requires reckoning. I need some time alone to do that.” The nodding of her father’s head made Ele smile, though Ve did not seem too pleased. Ele tried thinking of a time when Ve seemed pleased and guessed “not too pleased” was the default for her aunt. “I also need some sleep in my bed.”

“Good night, my little princess.” Pappa kissed her forehead and hugged her. Once he let her go Ve hugged and kissed her forehead, too.

“Recognizing that some decisions require thought and consideration of consequences is a result of growing up,” Ve told her when she released the hug. “I am proud you are taking his offer seriously.” Ele left them both in the foyer and headed to her room. The door to her room was covered in flowers at the bottom. Once she went in, she was relieved that the room was exactly as she had left it. Sleep overtook her quickly once she was on the bed.