The Seam was an excellent place to catch a break and have a discussion. Sagan leaned back against a wall in Monarch Hall, hands pressed behind her, and considered the situation. Meanwhile, Korac paced like a caged tiger. A pretty, pale caged tiger.

Sagan’s husband said, “I think we should tell Pehton, first. She should know, and I despise keeping this from her.”

This was easy to agree with wholeheartedly. Sagan opened the conduit to Gale’s Iona where Pehton and Caedes lived.

Korac hesitated and, in a moment of vulnerability, asked, “Do you think she’ll be angry with me?”

Honesty was best in these situations. Sagan said, “I don’t know, but I know she’ll want to go with us to donate. Of that, I’m sure.”

“Right. It’s best to get this over with then.”

Korac marched through the conduit and knocked on Pehton’s door. Sagan understood why he maintained his mask of composure, but perhaps it was better to let Pehton see the true effect on Korac. Sagan opened her mouth to say as much when Pehton opened the door.

The tiny Lyrik gripped a scarlet towel around her, and her orange feathers were damp from a shower. She took one look at Korac and said, “Oh, you’re here in person. Who died?”

From inside, Caedes called, “Evening, General.”

When Korac didn’t immediately tease Pehton, Sagan knew this was serious. Korac saluted Caedes before focusing on his General Warden, who grew more concerned by the second. With some hesitation, Korac said, “I have something… unpleasant to tell you.”

Because Lyriki eyes were hard stones, they couldn’t exactly widen. But Pehton’s orange brows shot up on her pitch-black skin. “Okay. I’m listening.” She adjusted the towel some more.

After a moment of Korac fighting to find the right words, Sagan touched his arm, asking permission. There was a hint of desperation in his eyes as he assented with a nod.

Sagan said, “We let Lucas resurrect Razor for rehabilitation.”

Wordlessly, Pehton stepped back and opened the door for them to come inside. Then she pointed a stern finger at the couch, where Sagan and Korac sat down like they were in timeout and about to receive a lecture from their short, hot babysitter.

It was Pehton’s turn to pace like a caged animal in front of the furniture. Although, it was more entertaining since she was naked under the precariously gripped towel.

Caedes took in the scene, but remained true to his taciturn trademark, and silently made everyone drinks. Sagan appreciated that if things were too serious, he’d jump in on Pehton’s behalf. Until then, he’d trust her to handle it.

Pehton stopped and stared at the floor, giving them her side profile. “I understand why you did it. I do. Can I assume he’s already integrated into the program?”

Korac said, “Yes.”

Sagan wished she could hug them both. The situation didn’t exactly thrill her, either, but it made more sense to reform Razor than leave such a valuable asset conscious in a nacre forever. And this way…

Sagan glanced at Korac and considered his life. Yes, Nox and Xelan were his brothers in all but blood. However, Korac grew up without people like him, and Lucas and Razor were an avenue to mend that.

Pehton finally looked at Korac to say, “I’m donating everything. Now. Let me get dressed.”

“You sure you don’t want to stay in the towel? It really brings out your eyes—”

Sagan swatted her husband.

Korac rubbed his arm. “What?! It’s better than saying ‘ass.’”

Pehton was already heading for the bedroom with a frustrated groan and a middle finger in the air. Caedes chuckled as he followed behind her. Truthfully, the towel suited him, too.

Sagan grinned.

“I’m happy for them.” Korac said it so softly Sagan almost didn’t hear it.

She took his hand and laced her fingers through his. “Me, too.”

Pehton shouted from the bedroom, “No fucking on my couch!”

Korac smirked. “That’s too bad. I didn’t figure Caedes as a ‘bed only’ kind of Icarus.”

That earned Korac a proper burst of laughter from Caedes in the other room.

Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

Pehton appeared in the doorway, wearing her armor in a tactical arrangement. “We’ve just finished marking the entire apartment, thank you very much.”

Sagan laughed. Especially as the bald Icarus appeared in the doorway with a thumbs up.

Korac even chuckled before killing the mood. “Are you sure you’re ready for this?”

“Oh, I am.”

Even though Caedes was behind Pehton and she couldn’t see, he was smirking at her fiery nature. It was so cute.

Sagan opened a conduit to the rehabilitation facility. Through it, they could see a door.

324

Korac took Sagan’s hand, and they stepped through. Pehton and Caedes followed. Korac went up to the door, ready to knock when a Caprent man darted up to it. He spared the group a glance before knocking, securing the tray of food in his hands.

The door cracked, and Sagan could hear Razor’s voice from here. “Did you get the Yun strawberries like I asked?”

Earnestly, the Caprent nodded. “Yes, sir.” And handed over the tray.

Razor said, “Very good.” When he widened the crack to take the tray, he noticed Sagan’s group. “Ah.” To the Caprent, he said, “You’re dismissed.”

The man scurried off.

Sagan frowned. She was pretty sure that was another prisoner, and she was also pretty sure Razor had already tamed them to do his bidding. In only sixteen hours. That had to make for some kind of record.

Razor opened the door and gestured for them to come inside. “Welcome to my humble abode.”

Humble, my ass.

The standard-issued apartment didn’t come with Lukemore silk robes, infinite count cotton towels, and thirteen bottles of Yun’s finest nectar. And that was just what Sagan could see from the doorway.

As if everyone bathed at the same time, Razor was in a white robe, drying his hair. Triss called from the bathroom, water sloshing as if she were in the tub. “Who is it, Razor?” The heady scent of roses and vanilla permeated the air, and Sagan was sure it wasn’t the expensive Reipon oils on display.

Pehton glared at Korac, who had failed to mention they’d also resurrected Triss.

Oops.

While smiling at Sagan, Razor answered Triss. “Old friends. And strawberries. Would you care for some, my siren?”

“Mmm. Yes, please. And if they’ve brought us the champagne from the Obsidian Palace, I’d love that, too.” Water sloshed again as Triss laid back in the tub.

“Anything for you.” Razor held up a finger for everyone to wait as he grabbed a bottle and carried the tray of fruit into the bathroom.

Pehton was beyond incredulous. Caedes cradled her elbow when her gliders popped out.

Korac held up his hands, trying to stave her temper.

Sagan was simply bewildered.

Was that sex toy on the couch made of diamond?!

Do not.

Touch any surface in this place.

Razor shut the door when he returned. As if he knew the direction of Sagan’s thoughts, he said, “You know how it is. New territory to mark and all that.”

Pehton scoffed, and that’s how Razor liked it.

His eyes flicked to the Lyrik with too much mirth. “Peh Peh, I’ve missed you. And I see you’ve brought a new beau. Hello, Caedes.” Like they were proper acquaintances, Razor held out his hand.

Sagan half-expected the Pain Curator to offer to ease Caedes’ troubles. Instead, they shook hands without a hitch.

Fluid.

That was the only word to describe Caedes’ gruff yet easy temperament. The Icarus could go with any flow, and Sagan valued it. Especially, partnered with someone as feisty as Pehton.

Korac watched everything with a careful eye and approached the subject with caution. “I see you’re settling in.”

Razor’s congenial smile took on a new shade of uncertainty as he regarded Korac. “Yes, brother. One tells me I have you to thank for this.” ‘This’ meaning the second chance at life and Triss’ resurrection. It was a big ‘this.’ He turned back to Sagan. “And you, Seamswalker. How are you?”

The touch of familial kindness affected Sagan, but she couldn’t quite speak to what kind of effect. It touched the part of her which had trusted Razor once, and the familiar pang reminded her of how badly he’d burned her. Literally. He’d ordered hot axes pressed to Sagan’s skin and seared her with Korac’s signature weapon.

This was so messed up.

When Korac touched Sagan’s shoulder, she knew she’d gone too long without answering. He whispered, “Your eyes.”

That’s right. Another side effect of Razor’s treachery made it difficult for Sagan to control her Atramentous around him. At least, the rehabilitating villain recognized the sign enough to step back and give her some space.

Somehow the gesture both helped and hurt more.

Sagan’s voice came in three pitches. “I want to trust you to commit to this program. Can you do that for me, Razor? So I can finally forgive you?”

Pehton muttered, “You took the words right out of my mouth.”

Caedes marked the moment by respectfully observing, waiting to interfere on Pehton’s behalf.

Korac pulled Sagan against his side as he let the question stand for him as well.

Meeting each person in the eyes, Razor said, “I will complete the program and fulfill my duties to Iona Pax. I will not disappoint you, T.a.o., or Xelan.” A smirk replaced the sincerity. “But we all know I won’t do it without causing a little mischief.”

It actually made Sagan smile. She said, “Good. I’ll make a donation.”

“We all will,” Pehton affirmed.

Razor said, “I wouldn’t expect anything less. You, too, Korac? Of course.” His mood shifted suddenly, and his smile fell into something less confident. “How is Echo?”

Oh.

This was a tight spot, wasn’t it? Korac deferred to Sagan, who said, “She’s beautiful. You know, we will tell her about you.” And maybe one day, if Razor and Triss graduated from rehabilitation, Korac and Sagan might introduce Echo to her biological parents.

Razor bowed with his head. “Thank you.” Genuineness warmed the words, and he’d looked at Korac as he said it.

Pehton shook her head. “I’m not sure if I’m buying this, but you’ve always put on a good act.”

With the quiet moment broken, Razor chuckled. Triss called again from the bathroom, and he answered, “I’ll be there in a moment.” To his guests, he said, “Well, I commence work with Matt and Lucy tomorrow after my rehab session. I suppose I’ll see your experiences there.”

Sagan’s curiosity got the better of her. “What’s it like for you?”

Razor tilted his head to the side, considering her. “I am familiar with pain. Knowing that I caused it infuses traces of shame and guilt. For instance, Peh Peh, I don’t look forward to all those times I manipulated you. All the lies I put you through. Or you, Sagan—The betrayal.” He faced Korac next. “I could spend Eternity here and never experience all the ways I’ve hurt you.”

Korac looked away, and Sagan squeezed him around the waist. For a second—for a shining moment—she glimpsed regret in Razor’s frown.

It was an opening through which this family of rare and exceptional men could finally heal.

And Sagan couldn’t wait to celebrate it.