Devis asked first, "What happened?"

Para stared at the page without reading it.

Bones climbed up from his pallet and crossed the room to read over her shoulder. "Is everything okay—Oh."

I couldn't imagine speaking just then. I struggled to form the words to ask, "Andrew, Pehton, Sagan, Bones, and Pax?"

They all straightened and gave me their attention.

Korac sobered up, if he was ever truly drunk, and stared right into me. He knew I was upset.

"Do you remember when Remorse was killing Celindria? How she cried for help?" When they nodded, I continued, "I'd felt it before. The pulse of every reality surrounding me at once, and her screams rippling across the Probability Matrix—It's her asking for help. And I—"

Collapsed to my knees in front of everyone.

Have you ever heard thirty-seven people getting up all at once and rushing to you?

You shake your head.

It sounds a bit like an attack.

With your voice softened, you assure, "You know it wasn't. They were checking on you."

I know that now, but in the moment, I panicked.

As hands came from everywhere to touch me, I opened my wings for protection. They formed a cocoon around me until only one hand remained.

I hadn't slept in so long—I'd never gone this long before. My bones felt cold and heavy, and the remaining hand radiated warmth and love.

When I peeled my wings back, I expected to find Tameka or Tumu even.

Korac stood over me in black silk pajamas Tameka had loaned him from my closet. He gripped my shoulder and knelt, gazing into my eyes which must've been in Atramentous. I felt like a wild animal—tired and bruised. Starved for shelter, food, and affection.

My General chuffed. "I know. I'm not who you were expecting. Well, too bad. I'm the only one here who can see past your bullshit, your imperial majesty." While I was still stunned, he threw one of my arms around his shoulders and lifted us both to standing. "Come on. Close this chapter, and we'll get you to bed. Where you will sleep."

My throat was dry, and I had to lick my lips to say, "Iuo and Lucas, can you cover the storm and the boxes, please?"

Iuo saluted with a fist to his chest. "Yes, sir."

Lucas gave a nod before taking to the front of the room with the Lamian Prince. "We'd just finish gathering the flames for Razor when the cataclysm erupted into a hurricane of snow, which still dominates the planet to this day—Yes, Sagan?"

"Did I guess right? The conduits occur wildly on Thailea because it's the source?"

Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

Iuo sounded pleased to say, "You were completely accurate. Now, Thailea is nearly impossible to traverse. One unique aspect of the storm is the eye. Within, it holds a solitary day of spring for wherever it lingers."

Lucas continued on with the story. "We returned to the Emporium with only three boxes."

Andrew asked, "What happened to the fourth?"

Lucas and Iuo both turned and looked behind them at the single black flame in my fireplace while Lucas explained, "I told Razor it was destroyed in the storm, but who knows if he believed me?"

All the while, Korac carried me out of the study and into the synchronous steps of the ravine. Tameka followed us with Pax in hand.

It's odd. I didn't feel any shame in this.

You blink at me before asking, "Mister, why should you feel ashamed?"

I shrug.

I don't know. Maybe because I needed my ex-lover to carry me to bed after depriving myself of sleep for months?

Your laughter helps heal some of the ache of reopening the wounds from Thailea. The mischievous smirk which followed nearly had me laughing. "Did he give you a kiss goodnight?"

Now you sound like Sagan. You already know the answer, anyway.

Korac threw me onto the bed, big enough to make Razor proud, and my General sat on the edge with his back to me. Tameka and Pax, who'd been lingering in the doorway, discretely disappeared. I had to admit, the cool sheets, smelling of a fresh wash, soothed my overall agitation. Enough so that I broke the silence first.

"Thank you, Korac."

He let out an incredulous laugh before saying, "Your voice sounds like shit. How many weeks has it been?"

I didn't answer. Twenty-eight simply sounded too high.

After a sigh, Korac ran a hand through his hair. "You have a son and mate, now, your majesty. You need to take better care of yourself for their sake. And if you can't, should you really be running this empire?"

While Korac's admonishment was true and gentle, I couldn't answer his stinging questions. There wasn't an answer to give. I tried—Elden knows I try to be a good man. This Verse was a test of it. Bare my conscience and all its dirty secrets to everyone—

Am I fit?

I sat up in bed—

"Lay your ass back down before I knock you unconscious for your own good." Korac stood and leaned on the end post, facing me. He'd invented the 'bad boy' stance. "Do you know why I continue to help you after the stunt you pulled?"

With a swallow, I shook my head.

Korac averted his gaze while saying, "I couldn't help but think Razor would love us arguing over which brother should have an Iona named after him. He'd be tickled pink I'd let your impressions of him get so far under my skin that it cuts like fiberglass." A small smirk quirked his lips. "Don't you think?"

I let the idea live in my head for a minute and smiled. "Oh, yes. Delight is the only word to use. He'd consider himself the host to our game-show. I'll let you have that much."

Korac said, "Before I let you go to sleep, I wanted to say that Nox wouldn't want us fighting at all. And I think I like how that sits with me better."

It was a simple truth for which I couldn't argue. With a nod, I conceded.

Korac gave me a mock-salute. "Sweet dreams, your majesty." Then he left the room.

When Tameka didn't come into the room, I chose not to sleep. How could I? I was left alone with Thailea.

I never told the Shadow how I was before they met me. Even now, I dread them learning the truth. Could you accept how weak I was, Rayne? Could you still think of me as your 'Superman' once you realize I was never a hero?

You leave the couch to sit on the coffee table inches away from me, and I can't meet your eyes. With so much conviction, you say, "I can only know the half-Icarus who saved me so many times. Who trained me to be strong and to save the Worlds. Who loved us all so much that you gave your life for us. Xelan, no matter what's in your past that has you so afraid, I will love you just the same."

Then into Enki we go.