Cold, wet, and exhausted I made my way along the path, canopied by trees decorated with young leaves. I stumble a bit on my weakened legs but the smell of rain in the air, the earthy “green” scent of wet grass comforts me, and I’m almost to the top of the hill.

I reach it a few minutes later, rising before me is Lezabel’s villa with the lady herself standing expectant at the door.

“May the Fallen have mercy on your god forsaken soul. You look like hell, Birdie.”

Despite myself, I chuckle. “Tends to happen when a dying goddess tries to drown you.”

Lezabel shakes her head and beckons me inside. “Best you look less like hell when Avarice inevitably arrives to carry you off forever.”

“I was surprised your guards didn’t ambush and tear me apart on the way here, I don’t have Avarice with me.”

“Now why in Ecrye would I have the savior of my child dismembered on my doorstep? That wouldn’t be very hospitable.”

“But you’re the Matron.”

“I don’t have the Monarch Butterfly chasing her tail looking to cut my throat anymore. I don’t need to fear for my life anymore. I don’t think you would hurt me.”

She’s right and she knows it. I let Lurida drape a blanket over my shoulders and sit me down on a couch.

“I can’t imagine what you went through to get here.” Lezabel says, settling herself across from me with a glass of something in hand.

“I drove the Fallen’s sword through the Ivory Maiden’s heart.”

“So she’s dead?”

I nod curtly, phantom salt water clogs my lungs, compelling me to reject the drink Lurida is trying to offer me. “Speaking of Lady ivory, when I was… imprisoned, Lady Ivory told me she sold me off to you.”

“Ah... so she told you.” lezabel runs her fingertip along the rim of her glass. “That was before I knew you.”

No, I will not let her brush this off like some pesky mosquito buzzing in her ear. “If you had gotten me, as originally planned, would you have used me like you do to others?”

“No. if I can’t charm you, there’s no point in trying.”

I focus my gaze on my hands resting in my lap. “And you didn’t know why I was being thrown out?”

“She only told me you were a virtue.”

I shiver and not from the cold, the blanket Lezabel had lent me kept me warm enough. Lucky she was so close, lucky I even washed up on Ecrye and lucky I fell into Avarice’s hands instead of Lezabel’s

Then my luck runs out. “Hey doll, I just realized I never got your name last time we met.”

I scowl at Draven.

“Stop pestering the guest and fetch me another drink, would you?”

He sighs, casting me a dejected look and stalks away when I refuse him a sympathetic smile or even a look back.

Lezabel shoots me a conspiratory smirk though. “Have eyes for another?”

“Not for you.”

She flicks her wrist. “Don’t need to tell me twice.”

Lezabel and I go on like this for a while. I complain about Draven, she agrees with me, I fawn over my little sister and she encourages me to tell her more. I don’t drink anything, though I’m practically dying of thirst, I haven’t quite filtered the ocean out yet. Once I’m settled in the newland, I’m going to sleep for a week at least. 

We’re debating which Ignaisin division has the coolest horn shape (we do not agree on the topic) when Lezabel abruptly cuts off. “Oh. It seems you have a visitor.”

Thump. Sounds like the newcomer crashed into the door frame. “Blue!”

I whip around, throwing off the blanket and bounding over, straight into Avarice’s chest.

“You’re alive!” He wraps his arms around my neck. 

I grin mischievously up at him, squeezing his waist. “Miss me?”

“You probably missed me more.”

“Perhaps I did, perhaps I didn’t miss you at all.”

“Aw, don’t play with my heart like that.” Avarice whines.

“I’m kidding, I don’t ever want to leave your side again.”

“Good, cuz I don’t wanna live without your freckles.” His palms pressed to the sides of my neck, thumbs rubbing my cheekbones.

“Well, I hate them.” Cheeks burning, I scrunch up my face.

His hands slid down to lift my hands to his mouth. Smiling, he says. “You’ll never change my mind.”

“Then you’re not opposed to marriage?”

“Only if it’s-”

“Ugh, you two make me sick.” Draven complains.

Avarice sends him off with an offensive gesture and returns his attention to me. “Why didn’t you come straight to me when you got back?”

“Well, my love, I’m afraid the wrath of the ocean and an angry goddess makes a trek through four cities too daunting to bear. Forgive me for running to the nearest house.”

“Speaking of, our new home awaits.”