Urainia brought along Astera, leaving Portia to look after the rest of the star spirits.

"Where is the meeting?"

Tellulah noticed that one of the star spirits, Astera, hugged Urainia tight, like a child would to their mother. She found it suspicious, but said nothing.

"Let me escort you there."

Urainia refused her offer, reminding her too much of Philliana.

The meeting was in the gazebo in Sunset Castle. Urainia sat on a stone bench, realizing that she sat next to Philliana too late.

"Hello again, Urainia!"

Astera pulled her over to sit on a vacant hedge chair.

Tellulah walked over to speak with her.

"How are you and Umbrum?"

"We're great! Our days of roaming the earth are coming to a close."

Tellulah knew that it had been almost a century of them roaming about. A century of Umbrum hiding from the world in a dark tent.

"Where to?"

"The Northern lands."

Tellulah hid her fright. "Beautiful place." I hope that Umbrum doesn't ruin it.

Philliana came back, perky as ever.

"Has Umbrum been treating you well?"

"Yes, though I wish we could spend more time together..."

Philliana looked to Tellulah. "Neglect?"

Tellulah considered this"Perhaps, but he might just be busy."

Urainia was confused. "What are you talking about?"

"We're just worried that Umbrum might not be the best for you."

Tellulah shot a glare at Philliana. "You are, I'm concerned that his blood can kill others."

"I want to go home now..."

Astera pushed Tellulah and Philliana away.

Astera comforted Urainia. "It sucks that they don't want to be friends with you."

"It really does. Why can't they just accept Umbrum?"

"I don't understand it, either. C'mon, let's go."

A woman blocked their path. Halucina.

"Where do you think you're going?" She looked down at Urainia and Astera.

""Home. It's clear I'm not welcome here."

Halucina laughed. "What home? There's nowhere for you and your boyfriend."

Astera spoke. "Get out of our way, please."

"Really? What if I don't?" It was a taunt, to show that Urainia could be just as awful as Umbrum. If she loved Umbrum, she must be a wolf in sheep's clothing.

Umbrum had no idea where Urainia went. Nobody did. Portia had said that Tellulah had asked Urainia to meet with her and she hasn't come back since.

"Please don't tell me that there's a conspiracy to separate Urainia from me!"

Portia rolled her eyes. "If so, I'm not in the loop. Take these cornflowers and leave me alone."

Umbrum noticed that they had no thorns, but the blue color was nice to look at.

Halucina was lodged in a tree, but the rest of the goddesses tried in vain to keep Urainia there.

Tellulah tried first. "We're sorry if we made you uncomfortable, Urainia! We promise to be nicer to you!"

Philliana added "I just want to be friends with you, I promise!"

Iris appeared in between the two goddesses.

"Though I may question your choice in partners, you seem kind. There's no reason for you to leave."

Urainia scoffed. "There is! You can't just insult my lover and think I'll happily spend time with you!"

"I'm sorry, Urainia.

I'm having a party next Sunday, according to the calendar you came up with. How about you come with Umbrum?"

Urainia looked to Astera.

"I'll think about it."

Urainia teleported back to where the tents were. After some walking around, she was hug-tackled by Umbrum.

"I missed you! Where did you go?"

Urainia was startled by the hug, but took it in stride.

"I went to Sunset Castle. Tellulah invited me. Was I gone for long?"

"Too long for my taste. Don't just disappear like that, alright?"

Urainia laughed, pulling Umbrum into a kiss.

"I won't. I promise.

Also...we've been invited to a party by Iris. It's your chance to show that you are a good partner for me."

Umbrum rolled his eyes. "Why do I need to prove that?"

"Don't you want the other gods to like you?"

"Not particularly. So long as they stay out of my way, I'll stay out of theirs."

Urainia took a few steps back. "About that...

There's a goddess, Halucina, and she said that I must be 'just as bad as you'."

Umbrum tensed at the mention of Halucina's name. "The cur...Last I saw her, she tried to undo my belt. Thought she'd be better by now."

Urainia was disturbed by the casualness of his tone. "She what? Umbrum, do you realize what she tried to do to you?!"

Umbrum was confused."Steal my tunic?"

She quietly explained to him what sexual assault is.

"When we go to the ball-which we are-stay clear of Halucina."

"What? And not have my revenge on her?"

Urainia shook her head. "You already did that. Just stay away."

Umbrum nodded. She was better with others than he'd ever be, but he couldn't help wanting to hurt Halucina now that he was fully aware of her intentions that night.