It wasn’t just two people that showed up.

I’d assumed that the extra beds were for the second team that Gesai was going to lead. Given her level, she was going to have power, but not so much experience. By pairing her with Trent, he’d be able to teach her and we could keep her close.

So I wasn’t surprised when Justia and Gesai walked in. Gesai was wearing a green jacket with white shirt and pants, and she still had on the long, lacey, white gloves. The green made her green eyes stand out even more.

Gesai honed in on where I was and came over to my bed where I was sitting with Ether curled up against me.

Gesai walked over and sat on the foot of my bed. "This must be the woman I’ve heard about.”

“Ether, this is Gesai. Gesai, Ether.” I motioned between them. I was glad that Justia was here because I could only imagine the fun Aelin was going to have with this.

Ether looked up at me. "A teacher?”

“She wasn’t…” The defense I had come up with fell apart when I realized that she had been my teacher while we were in captivity. “She’s not my teacher now.”

Ether laughed softly. "Aelin is going to…”

“I know, I know…” My words caught in my throat as Oz and Ren walked in wearing green jumpsuits. Oz was looking around and when our eyes met, she blushed and moved to claim a bunk.

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“Her too?” Ether playfully slapped my chest. "Aelin was right, you were busy.”

“Nothing happened.” I stroked her hair. "I wasn’t going to do anything you didn’t approve of.”

“Well, there was that one night the two of you slept together.” Gesai grinned.

“Hey! That wasn't..! I mean..! Our clothes stayed on and she slept on top of my blanket and had her own.” I looked down at Ether. "Jord had almost been beaten to death and she wanted to feel safe.” I realized I was turning dark gray as I blushed. "Nothing happened that I wouldn’t have done with Justia.”

“You’re going to try to convert Justia now?” Ether whistled. "You do have lofty goals.”

“No…” I sighed. "You know what I mean, besides, Justia’s like a sister to me, so nothing would ever…”

Ether put her fingers against my lips. "Defensive is a bad look on you.” She gave me a mischievous grin. "Embarrassed on the other hand gives you a little color.”

I sighed as she slid over to my right side and patted my chest.

“Come on and tell me more about the bad things he did while he was out.” Ether smiled at Gesai.

The older woman practically jumped across the bed to snuggle up next to me. I looked down at them before Gesai could recount anything.

“If you’re going to make this a normal thing, I’m going to need a bigger bed.” I squeezed both of them. We fit, but there wasn’t much room to move.

“I think I could use some of my authority to arrange that.” Gesai giggled. "What all can I do?”

“We could move my bed frame over and get a big mattress.” Ether nodded at the bed to my right.

“I thought that was Justia’s bed.”

“We moved her over there so she could be by Aelin.” Ether pointed at beds. "Now it goes, Justia, Aelin, Rix.” She changed to this side. "You, me, Fray.”

“Gotcha.” I couldn’t help but smile. It felt good to be home.