Veldrix let Helen’s insults wash over them. Aside from being impressed by the extent of her vocabulary of expletives, they knew they deserved every one of them. They had been young and naive at the time they made that oath, new to the manipulative ways of the nobles and politicians. They had believed in the honor of the crown… they had been a fool.

  They had told themselves over and over again that there was nothing to be done about their past mistakes and that the sacrifice, while based on ignorance, had been worth the lives of their sister and the wonderful woman sitting beside her. Aino had always been kind to Veldrix, even before the princess had met Helen. She had seemed interested in the fact that they were only one of a mere thousand or so gemites across the world at that point in time, but had never seemed to desire them like many of the others in the court had.

  They had become friends fairly quickly during Vel’s first few years as a new knight. While she had always been there to offer them advice on how to handle certain situations and etiquette that they hadn’t learned while trapped in their homeland in the Underdeep, Vel had tried to return the favor by being both a reliable knight and a compassionate friend. Both of them quickly became someone that the other didn’t need to worry about pretenses around.

  Aino was a large part of the reason Veldrix had believed they could trust her parents. How else could such a wonderful person exist if their parents hadn’t raised them well? Vel hadn’t realized at the time that Aino was that way in spite of her overbearing and manipulative parents. It wasn’t until that fateful day she ran off with Helen in the night, and Veldrix was tricked into her parents’ bed that their eyes were forced wide open.

  They had promised to help them produce a new heir, simply assuming a single trip to the Cultivator’s temple to perform a guaranteed fertility ritual and incubation in one of their carefully monitored and well protected artificial wombs. The royals had been the ones to stipulate their choice of the method, then kept ordering Vel to keep trying despite the anti-fertility bracelets they would wear.

  Vel took it as a lesson learned about making Oathbonds, and tried to turn it into an advantage as best they could. That all seemed like it was about to change now, though, and Veldrix was doing their best to keep their panicked terror from showing at all.

  So many things could go wrong. So many lives could be ruined just because they were being selfish about—

  “Vel?” Everin’s voice jerked them from their thoughts as the colorful voxen quietly asked, “Are you going to be okay with this? You’re not letting any of us see how you feel right now…”

  The statement almost seemed leading, like he wanted to ask more about that particular Talent that Vel had kept secret. Not necessarily because they didn’t trust Everin with knowing about it, but it had just become so second nature to them that they hadn’t thought to mention it. They wondered if that had been a mistake now. Vel hadn’t tried seriously courting anyone since they were a young Sapphire Caster and honestly didn’t know what the expectations were for voxen nowadays.

  “I’m worried about the aftermath of all this,” Vel admitted quietly, taking Everin’s hand in theirs for some comfort. “Helen is strong and has the backing of the Arcanist’s clergy, but I know the alliances the royals can call upon if they feel truly threatened. I’m worried about everything that could very easily go wrong.”

  “But you don’t want to keep living like this, right?” he asked, gently squeezing their hand. “Push away all the politics and Oathbonds. Ignore the vows and all those other people you think depend on whatever choice you make.” Everin tilted their head slightly to look into his odd eyes as he gently asked, “Are you truly happy with the way things are for your life right now? Do you really want to live like this forever?”

  It was difficult to ignore all the things Everin had mentioned from their consideration. They had lived so long for others that it was hard to look deep enough to find their own desires. What made them happy?

  “No,” Vel finally answered. “I’m not happy with the royals. I don’t want to be used by them for the rest of my life… but this is the price I have to pay for my mistake of trusting them.”

  “You’ve already paid it,” Helen growled at them. “I don’t care what alliances come into play or if some other random Obsidian shows up to make a bigger mess of things. I won’t let you keep being a miserable slave instead of the noble knight you should have been this whole time, V.”

  Aino abruptly stood then, smiling happily as she clapped and announced, “Well, we’ll get to packing then. It shouldn’t take too long with how often we’ve done it before.” She gave a little wiggle and squeal of delight as she added, “Ooo, I’m so excited about finally getting to pick out baby names!”

  Unauthorized usage: this narrative is on Amazon without the author's consent. Report any sightings.

  As Aino moved to drag Helen upstairs, Everin moved to take Veldrix outside. Uncertain what the chaotic fox was planning, they asked as soon as the front door shut behind them, leaving the two of them alone in the tiny front garden filled with blooming flowers, “What—”

  Their question was cut off by a kiss, followed by a soft nose rubbing against their own as Everin whispered, “I’m so glad you were honest with me in there.”

  Veldrix was able to hide their blush, but relaxed and softly replied, “Perhaps you’ve inspired me to start making bolder choices. I’m still worried about—”

  “I know. There’s always things to be worried about, but inaction can be just as devastating as making the wrong one.”

  They nodded, silently agreeing as they realized the truth of it.

  An aura that felt slightly familiar yet not exactly as they remembered entered the space of the garden and caught Veldrix’s attention as their garnet eyes snapped over to look at the little girl that approached. It felt like the Emanation of Lilen they had met before but it must obviously have been a different one.

  This one had blue hair that looked like the sky reflected on the lake and looked no older than six. The strangest thing was that she still had the air of the cut-throat merchant that had accosted them at the entrance as she said, “I wanted to catch you before you left to request a delivery be made in exchange for helping you meet your sister.”

  Everin turned to glare at the intruder only to stop short at the sight of her and burst out laughing. “Oh my gods! She’s so tiny and adorable! There’s no way that is part of the same monster that’s been trying to wring out every Bit we have, right?”

  The little Lilen put her free hand on a tilted hip, the behavior looking out of place on a child, and gave Everin a stern glare as she replied indignantly, “Hmph, I’ll have you know that childhood is just as important for Emanations as it is for others.”

  She held out her other hand that was gripping a rectangular package and explained, “This needs to go to the nearest Scholar’s Sanctuary. Just tell the little dear that her recent payment sent with those other clergy covered it, but I look forward to making it a regular transaction.”

  Everin went to take it, but she moved it out of his reach before he could and looked at Veldrix instead. “Is it possible for you to deliver it instead? I’m afraid this impertinent kit will attempt to spoil it.”

  Veldrix moved forward, deciding that they could at least get it most of the way there if Scholar was expecting it. “What is it?”

  “A book that nobody has read before. At least, not within her influence,” the tiny elven child stated with a smirk. “I had to pay the author good money to not leave my Labyrinth while writing it.”

  The knight took it carefully, examining the heavily enchanted paper packaging that they were pretty sure was made from lotus leaves. They didn’t think there was a chance that even they could break it open without destroying the book in the process. “Isn’t this a bit overkill?” Veldrix asked, pointing at the enchanted lock.

  “Scholar paid for explicit protection against accidentally learning from a mind. I take the quality of my wares and services extremely seriously,” Lilen replied, shooting another glare up towards the rainbow voxen. “Unlike some.”

  “Hey,” Everin began to argue, but Veldrix simply rested a hand on his shoulder and smiled softly at the Emanation.

  “I’ll do my best to see it delivered as instructed then. Keeping rebellious paws and curious eyes off of it.”

  “Hey!” the Avatar exclaimed, turning to give them an affronted look as well.

  Veldrix chuckled, but continued saying to Lilen, “Thank you for giving my sister the solace she was so desperately seeking. I know she has long struggled with escaping the side effects of her Sainthood.”

  Lilen seemed to soften slightly at Vel’s sincerity and said, “Well, when the poor dear explained that every follower of the Arcanist on the entire planet can sense her direction, I couldn’t help offering her my services. I may be a monster, but I have a soul now, and apparently it makes my heart bleed for the desperate… who can still pay, at least.”

  They snorted a laugh. “Well, I’m glad my sister’s centuries of treasure hunting came in handy then. I’m fairly sure she’ll be back someday to escape once more.”

  “I’ll keep her estate here as is then. She did make quite the large down payment for it. If she keeps sending a few Bits once a year I can even ensure its interior upkeep.”

  “Can’t you just magic it clean yourself? You’re a Labyrinth Keeper after all,” Everin interjected with narrowed eyes.

  “Yes, but it still takes precious time and energy on my part. Are you saying that is worthless?”

  Veldrix could smell the verbal trap and was glad that Everin was experienced enough to notice it as well with the narrowed gaze she gave him. “I—um, of course not.” He glanced toward Veldrix and added, “I owe you thanks as well for helping to arrange all of this instead of refusing us entry.”

  Everin looked down at the girl. “Helen also mentioned that you were the one to remind her that the time was passing while she was focused on finishing an experiment and lost track of the hours. If you hadn’t, I might not have been able to get Veldrix to agree to fight for their freedom. I’ll be sure to spread the word about how good of a monster you are.”

  A tiny smirk spread on Lilen’s face as she said, “Good luck with your rebellion far from here. I admit my interest has been piqued by the young floraval I’ve been hearing about growing in the new city. I’d hate to hear that they might be getting taken advantage of like so many have attempted to do to me in the past.”

  Veldrix ended up chuckling again and said, “I can imagine. Hopefully, we won’t have to worry too much about young Presley. She is being fiercely guarded by House Wayland, and I have no doubt their Regent could mobilize the entire world should she choose to. Perhaps you’ll be lucky enough to meet her someday.”

  “She’s a Saint of an entire pantheon,” Everin added for Lilen’s benefit. “I’m sure she’ll appreciate the refuge you can offer here as well.”

  Lilen gave a wide grin that almost looked predatory. “I’m looking forward to meeting her then. Be sure to tell her to prepare for some of the best shopping and relaxation in all of Pyrin.”