The story so far:

----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. Aija and Irhi'va speak in the Throne Room. When Irih'va kisses her she kisses him back but realises she cares more for Thieron. Irih'va is devastated when Aija leaves. Ruyanir is scared for Ze. She hopes he wins. Ze wins against Na'thwir. Zuri and Nala attend the Red-Moon festival. The Gale releases their video on the Main-Lands. They bring the Leadership down. Mike Wiet escapes, Rei asks Je'ai to catch him. Aija accepts Thieron.

----Ze is blessed and becomes the Ema'i of the Zayr. Thieron gives Aija the blade-blessings.

----Irih'va tells Thieron Ea tried to destroy Earth. 

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****35.1 XAN****

Billions of twinkling lights pinpricked the soot-smudged sky.

Xan devoted a moment to appreciate the stars of Ierne's sky, a stolen second of stillness in the chaos.

Xan had been in his room with Nala and Ms King, talking about his studies and training with Ms Niyarah. He looked forward to taking Ithi'hra's exams, though, by Ru'n On'jir's estimation, it'd take Xan another three years before he could even consider applying. But Xan had nothing but time; Vaughn didn't, he'd realised. The thought plagued him every waking moment. Vaughn had been ready to join him; he should've taken the opportunity. But he hadn't wanted Vaughn to feel rushed. They were headed to Earth; he could see an appropriate time and get Vaughn.

A Royal Guard had interrupted Xan's talk with Ms King that morning to inform them, they were to go to Earth. The reason had taken them all by surprise, and Nala worried for Thieron. Xan had thought they'd leave him behind because of his new routine and supposed they didn't need that many people travelling to Earth. But Nala and Ms King hadn't even questioned it; they'd just taken him along with them to wait in the foyer. Xan had released a breath in relief, hoping the girls hadn't heard him. The thought of being left behind had unnerved him.

Xan's gaze hopped from the stars to Nala, who paced the length of the foyer, tapping her dagger's tip to her thigh. Ms King and Luka watched Nala whilst Ayr'i leaned back on the wall, sorrowful. How eerie it must feel when someone one has known all their life commits a grave sin? Xan couldn't imagine the depth of agony afflicting Ayr'i.

Thieron arrived, devastated, closely following a Guard. Xan saw Ayr'i push off the wall to go to her brother. Nala beat her to it, rushing to Thieron, grabbing him in a hug. Ayr'i appeared insulted; she paused, letting Thieron and Nala have their moment. Nala had filled the rank of 'Thieron's sister' for long; replacing the rank with the real one had become a significant challenge. Xan had seen the aloofness between Nala and Ayr'i; warming up to the other would take time.

"I said only you, Luka, Ayr'i," Thieron's hand rested on Nala's back.

"Come on, Ah'n," Nala defended Xan and Ms King.

Thieron grunted his approval. "Where's Aija?"

"On her way," the Guard answered.

Thieron hadn't mentioned Ms Niyarah's name when he'd confirmed who all he'd asked to go. It occurred to Xan it was because it was apparent Ms Niyarah would go, not because she had the ist'we stone, but because she and Thieron were together. Like Ms King and Nala, Ze and Ruyanir, him and Vaughn. Thieron and Ms Niyarah hadn't been open about it, hadn't made it apparent. There hadn't been talk about them, and Xan had found out when he'd gone to see her in her suite and learnt she'd moved in with Thieron into the tiny space between the library. Xan had stood, blinking at her empty suite opposite Aa'di's, wondering how in the world he'd missed whatever romantic had been going on between them. The chemistry between Ms Niyarah and Thieron had been loathing, not love. The universe had its strange secret ways.

Ayr'i still hung back even as Luka went to Thieron, asking him how he held up. Thieron said something fast in Ytèan, eyes scanning the room. It took Xan a few moments to deduce Thieron searched for the Emperor. Xan hadn't known how close the men were until he'd heard Thieron address the Emperor by name. No one, absolutely no one, called the Iernei Ruler by name unless they were and had formal permission.

"What's wrong?" Ms King came to him.

"I can't believe they wanted to destroy Earth, Ms King. And it was Thieron's cousin. I can't believe what would've happened if she'd succeeded." Xan had instantly thought of his family and Vaughn. Xan didn't know how to live, knowing Vaughn wasn't alive. He'd decided then, he'd bring Vaughn to Ierne.

"Hmmm, I thought of my family too. I suppose luck was on our side again."

Xan swept his eyes over Ayr'i, sulking, leaning on the wall, eyes on her brother. "How long will luck favour us, Ms King?"

Ms King's ocean-green eyes went to Nala, still half in Thieron's embrace. "I don't know,"

Something about her tone made Xan shudder. 

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