The story so far:

----Thieron convinces Nala to go home. Xan learns from Aija what really happened to him; he feels hurt. He wants to warn his family about the experiments to save his siblings. Goldstar finds out Vincent is Ytean-human. And that he was responsible for his reputation. He is upset. He chooses to leave behind 'Goldstar' and be Rei. It is Ze's wedding day. He's happy. Diya and Nova are present. Ruyanir's and Ze's wedding takes place. Ze challenges Na'thwir for the position of Zayr chief. Thieron goes to Zya'ara with everyone. Meets his family after years. The Company is on their way to attack again. Aija and Thieron fight with the Zya'araeans against the Wy'sith. Aija gets dragged away from Thieron. Nala and Luka struggle to shield Eiva and Afe. Nala is losing control over her shield. Zuri arrives to help. Thieron panics when he loses Aija. The ji'var attack him, but AIja finds him. Together they manage to kill the metal-controller, but when the Utzrn withdraw, Thieron realises it's to drown them. Aija calls Tai'un for help, and tells him she'll do anything in return for help. Tai'un uses the Avo to help them. Xan meets Vaughn, they spend time in Sier Ghat. Aa'di Irih'va has lunch with his grandfather, who tells him about his parents.

----Zuri waits for Aija to wake. When she goes to check on Luka, she hears Nala talking to Z'our. Thieron tells Aija he's in love with her. Aija tells him she hates him. Thieron is stunned by Aija's non-acceptance of him. Thieron accepts Irih'va's offer to work for the Crown. Rei gets back with Vincent. Wiet publicly executes Gale members, Rei is upset that he isn't able to do more for his people.

----Luka speaks with his former mentor and tells him he's quitting the Ithi'hra.

✽✽✽

****27.2 AIJA****

The afternoon suns' light made the er'fun glitter.

Aija marched the length of the foyer to the Main-Entrance. The Guards opened it for her, even before she asked. She bowed at them; they returned the gesture. Aija ventured out, eyes on the snow.

On her ninth birthday, Aija had wished to see snow. At eighteen, Aija walked the entrance of the Mux'xra Ust to touch snow.

Snow was cold, grainy to the touch. It was true cold, not the cold of the CoolStore or RapidCool machines into which Aija would pop her head to experience cold. Something about wishes coming true was surreal, like a blessing.

Aija spent several minutes outside, venturing further unto the arches, the snow crunching under her heavy boots. She caught snowflakes in her hand; they stayed frozen for long minutes before eventually melting.

Aija added the sound of snow crunching under her feet to her list of favourite sounds. The whisper of trees in the wind was at the top of her list.

She noted Ish'th and E'mn setting, light turning golden. She'd stayed long enough to learn the rules; once the suns started setting, the Palace doors were closed, as were any open windows. The brutal cold held promise of sudden snowstorms. Aija headed back in, unsure of where to go next.

A sort of steadiness had fallen in place regarding everyone's plans. Xan planned on studying for the Ithi'hra's exams. Aija had heard Ayr'i wanted to go back to Zya'ara. Thieron and Luka were going to work for the Crown. Nala, Aija had heard speaking to Zuri, wanted to join Thieron again one day, but for now, she and Zuri would travel; their first stop Urè, Nala's home.

Aija, it seemed to herself, was the last to decide on anything. She couldn't believe everyone was going their separate ways; it made a deep melancholy set in her heart. She was happy they'd found something they wanted to do. But after all they'd been through together, this disbanding seemed unreal, a future of her own surreal. She felt suspended in stasis whilst everyone and everything moved on around her. But she'd made her first step towards progress; she wasn't sure if she'd join Ithi'hra or even the Crown, but she'd chosen to start training, to learn how to fight with a blade, sword, and those staffs Ze was good at. A trivial step forward was still progress, as Ena had told her once.

Aija's feet had, of their own accord, taken her to the Throne Room. Ru'n Ve'dir and Ru'n Lwr'vyn stood at the door. The Royal Guards indicated the Emperor's presence inside. Aija, unsure if he was busy with company, wavered on her feet. Ru'n Lwr'vyn decided for her by opening the doors, an amused smile lacing his lips. When Aija hesitated, the man flipped a nod towards the Room, meaning for her to go in.

Aija bowed in thanks and wafted in, steps slow and soft. The Throne Room was one of her favourite places within the Palace; she felt lucky to have seen such wonder. The suns' golden-light filled the space, turning the floor into near liquid-gold. She found Aa'di Irih'va on the Throne, watching her. Aija's stomach clenched when he gave her a slow smile, straightening on the Throne. Aija went to him, stopping by the steps leading to the Throne, so massive it dwarfed the Emperor.

"Come here," the Emperor held his hand out to her.

Aija felt awkward to step on the Throne; she wasn't Hi'er royalty. And maybe, no one from the family was allowed to mount it apart from the Emperor.

"It's okay," he crooned.

Aija removed her wet boots and placed them beside Aa'di Irih'va's on the steps. The stone was warm under her feet. She climbed one step after the other until she stood in front of Aa'di. He took her hands in his; Aija let the Emperor pull her close to himself. She felt the heat rise in her, the man's fire-filled eyes on hers. To distract herself, Aija lifted her gaze to the Ro'ein towering over them, glistening in the suns' golden luminescence.

"Oh, Aija," he whispered, making her look at him, her heart skipping a beat. "I'm glad you're staying."

"I feel like I was meant to."

Aa'di Irih'va smiled, eyes half-closed, lowered.

Aija didn't know what possessed her to do it: she freed her hand from his and put it under his chin, lifting it. The Emperor's eyes rose to meet hers, the fire in his amber eyes magnifying. He possessed the suns for eyes, their warmth evident in his touch, hot over Aija's. Aija's breaths quickened, matching the Emperor's.

"You're a dream," Aa'di Irih'va purred, voice low. "I've been told to dream is ruin; to do is fruition. But I can't help but dream. Perhaps, it's why my life is as it is, why my soul aches to be free."

"Sometimes," Aija kept her hand under his chin, though even seated the Emperor was taller, "dreams don't come true, and it's okay. Because they're just that – dreams. What matters is you tried while real life had to be lived."

Aa'di Irih'va took in a sharp breath, eyes heavy with emotion. "Then, you'll forgive me, Aija, for trying." He kissed her, not his gentle, shy kisses, but one filled with desire.

Aija startled for all but a second. She let him kiss her, deepening it by parting her lips, kissing him back. She didn't hesitate when he pulled her closer onto him; she put her arms around his shoulders, not breaking the kiss. Aa'di Irih'va pulled back first, gazing into her eyes, his blazing. She leaned closer; he put his hands over her cheeks, pulling her towards him. Aija let him. The Emperor kissed her again, his hands hot over her skin, his lips moving to trace her jaw and neck. Aija clenched her fists, desire taking over. His touch was fire; she felt herself warm up like he filled her with his sunlight until he'd carve her into sunlight, sunlight.

"Aa'di," Aija whispered against his lips, breathless as he was.

"Irih'va; call me Irih'va."

Aija peered into his eyes, "Irih'va,"

He smiled against her lips. "Say it again,"

Aija's breath hitched in her lungs.

Ah'n.

Say my name again.

Ah'n.

Aija stilled; Aa'di Hi'er noticed.

'You must be more convincing if you want to lie.'

Who was she fooling? Herself, perhaps. Who was she destroying? All three of them, for sure.

Aija couldn't deny what she felt for Thieron. It was unfair to both men.

"Aija?"

Aija had been through so much with Thieron, and even if she loved Aa'di Irih'va, it was clear time had drawn her closer to only one of them. 

"Aija?"

✽✽✽