"So, today's the day," Sophie said shaking Fitz's shoulder so he would wake up.

"The day for what?" He answered groggily.

"For your interview with the Council, duh!!"

"What interview?" Fitz mumbled into the pillow.

Sophie rolled her eyes and shoved — yes, shoved — Fitz off the bed.

"Ow!!" He complained, "what was that for?"

"The Council is going to Everglen to interview you about being an Emissary and you forgot! That's what!"

"Ooh," fFitz said with realization. "They are coming I my house, but it isn't an interview. I already got the job, they are just here to prep me with rules, Elvin laws, and blah blah blah."

"Same thing, they are both important," Sophie argued.

"Yeah I know."

"Hey, what's wrong?" Sophie asked. Fitz's last answer was brief and his earlier smile had disappeared.

"It's just — I don't know if I want to be an Emissary. It takes a lot of time out of my day. Time that I could spend with you."

Sophie laughed. "THAT'S what's bothering you? Fitz — I was planning on being an Emissary too, remember?"

"I know. But if the Council doesn't give you the job, then I am quitting," Fitz said while pouting.

"Whatever, just go to your house and get dressed. Don't forget — today we are also telling the Council our Matches!"

"Yay!!" Fitz's said sarcastically while walking out of Sophie's bedroom door. "A whole day with the Council!"

Sophie rolled her eyes and smiled to herself before closing her bedroom door to get changed.

Since she was going to be seeing the Council, she decided it would be best to wear something a little bit fancy. She settled on black leggings with a silver tunic. The tunic came down mid-thigh and flared out from her waist. It was shiny (not sparkly — there is a clear difference) and had some diamond bead things outlining the neckline. It wasn't too shiny and bright, but it wasn't too plain either. 

She paired her outfit with a long, thick, teal cape. Sophie decided to ask Vertina for hair advice.

"Well, it depends on what look your going for," Vertina explained.

"I want something that says: 'regal, but casual'."

"You literally said two polar opposites."

Sophie glared at the mirror. "Veeerrrtttttiiinnnaaa!" Sophie whined. "I really need help. Please?"

"Okay, fine. Go get a few clips and hair ties. Fitz will be falling head over heels."

——-

"And then finally tuck that stand of hair behind there," Vertina instructed. Sophie obeyed and was rewarded with a high pitched squeal. "Sophie, you look great!!"

"I do?" Sophie asked. She turned around and admired her hair in the mirror. She really did.

"Thanks so much Vertina; I didn't even know I could do that!!!"

"You're welcome, Sophie," Vertina said genuinely. Sophie returned a smile before telling Grady and Edaline goodbye and leaping to Everglen. 

Fitz was looking as handsome as ever while at the gate. 

"Hello beautiful," he greeted. 

Sophie blushed lightly before returning the greeting: "hello Prince Charming."

"That was, like, the cheesiest thing I have ever heard," Fitz said.

"Take the compliments you get — I don't give them out to you often."

Sophie smirked at her comeback before skipping I got the house, Fitz right behind her. They each gained their composure before walking to the doors of the dining room where the interview thing would begin.

Right behind the doors were twelve Councillors. 

Sophie had to stay out of the room because she was not deemed "necessary for the proceedings."

Fitz pecked Sophie on the cheek and entered the room. The doors were soon closed and within seconds the hall was quit and Sophie's only company were her own thoughts.

Sophie thought it was silly if the Council to hold a meeting about the rules of being an Emissary and not let her in. It didn't make sense and she doubted the Council had a valid reason. Regardless, I didn't change the fact that Sophie was stuck waiting.

The wait wasn't too long, though — 20 minutes at the most.

Fitz came out of the room with a large grin on his face. Sophie ran up and hugged him. 

"I think they want to see you in there," Fitz whispered in her ear.

"What? Why?"

"It is a surprise."

Sophie curiously and cautiously approached the Council.

"So," Emery said flitting the wrinkles on his cape, "we heard you would like to become an Emissary."

Sophie was surprised. But excited too. "I... um, yes, yes I would like to become an Emissary."

"We would happily grant you that position. We assume you would want to work with Fitz?"

"I, uh, I mean, yes, yes, that's great and all, but don't you need me to apply for the position? You know, fill out paperwork and then have an interview?"

"Ideally, yes," Emery spoke. "But you have made many heroic actions in the past and you are a very determined young girl. For he past four years, we have gotten the privilege of working with you quite often and I feel we have all gotten to know you in some small way. You possess all of the necessary traits and qualities and the fact that you work so well with Mr Vacker will make you an excellent team. The fact that you want to become an Emissary is convenient for us, because had Mr Vacker not told us you wanted to be an Emissary, we would've had to approach you and try to persuade you. We feel strongly that this arrangement is to the best of everyone's interest. But the question is: do you except?"

Sophie was genuinely surprised at the explanation and the sincerity of the speech that it took her a second to understand the question that was asked if her. Fortunately, it was an easy question and Sophie spoke with confidence. "Yes, 100%. I accept."

The Councillors — even Alina — looked happy. Sophie finally felt like her life was on the right path. She had no crazy murderers trying to kill her, her boyfriend was Fitz, and she had a job with her favorite person in the whole world.

She was finally passed the years of war, fighting, sadness, confusion, and mysterious. She could live a normal life once again.

"You will start training with Grady and Alden in two days. Good luck," Emery concluded.

The Councillors left Everglen promising to be back around supper for the decision regarding Matches.

"Where's Biana?" Sophie asked Fitz once everyone had evacuated.

"She and Della are shopping for a new pair of shoes. But we all know they are going to drag home ten more closets."

Sophie laughed, "Yep, that's them. Where is Alden?"

"He is on Emissary work."

"Hmm. It's so exciting to think that we are Emissaries in-training."

"Especially since we get to work with each other," Fitz added.

Fitz wrapped an arm around Sophie's waist and led her to the porch. They sat on a bench swing thing and rocked back and forth with the wind for a bit. Finally Sophie broke the silence.

"How do you think the Matches are going?"

"Better than perfect," Fitz responded. "After all, I have you, don't I?"

"I am not talking about us, silly!" Sophie said playfully smacking Fitz's arm.

"I know, I know. But I think the Matches are going well. Well, from what I've heard and seen. I talked with Keefe the other day and he said Linh and him have grown really close. Apparently Keefe has already talked to Linh about his mom and dad and the family problem stuff. He said Linh was really supportive and sweet."

"Aww! That's so amazing! Linh is super sweet and would totally get everything Keefe is going through. She is just so perfect for him, you know? What about your sister and Tam? Have you heard anything?"

"Well, I mainly stayed at your house, but I did notice before I left that Tam and Biana were kissing, so I will take that as a good sign. Plus, I wouldn't say they necessarily have "problems." Well, Biana has the family stuff with the hives and the Vacker Legacy, but that hasn't affected her, plus I don't think Tam's parents really affect U.K. anymore, so they mainly just enjoy each other's company, I think."

"Well, that's good. I am glad your sister found someone. That's really cool."

"Yeah, me too. I always knew it would take someone special to match Biana's spirit, bravery, and mood swings."

Sophie grinned at the last one. 

"Have you heard from Dex about his Match?" Fitz asked.

"No, I haven't, actually, but knowing Dex, I am sure he is doing just fine with Marbella. He is so sweet it's hard NOT to love him."

"Woah," Fitz's said defensively, "You're mine." Fitz put a hand around Sophie's waist.

"You know that's not what I meant."

"I know. But seriously. Answer honestly: did you EVER have even the SLIGHTEST crush on Dex?"

"Nope. It was always you, from the beginning." 

"Of course it was," Fitz said, flipping imaginary hair behind his shoulder.

Sophie sighed. "You're crazy."

Yet, Sophie still kissed Fitz and Fitz still kissed back. Then they just cuddled watching the sun progress father west, completely skipping lunch.

Finally, the sun was out of sight and the moon appeared in the sky. Della and Biana leaped back to the house with what appeared like HUNDREDS of shopping bags.

"Sophie!" Biana said. Biana crushes her in a hug.

"Hey Bi. Uh, kind of need to breath here, but glad your excited," Sophie wheezed out.

"Oh, right."

Della laughed and took the bags inside and Biana, Sophie, and Fitz also went inside.

"...so I already hailed everyone and they are coming over in, like, five minutes so they should be here before the Councillors show up at 8:00," Biana finished.

"Wow, okay. That's great. Can't wait to see everyone. How are you and Tam doing?" Sophie wiggled her eyebrows and nudged Biana with her shoulder.

Biana blushed profusely. "Well, we are doing very good. I spent some time with him early this morning, but then we went shopping. But in the past two days, we spent every minute together. I honestly didn't know that Tam had such a big heart. He took me to this lake thing and we had a picnic and another time he took me a waterfall and showed me how his shadows could make ripples in the water. It was really cool."

"Wow, Bi! That's fantastic!"

"Yeah," Biana said daydreamily.

Suddenly, Tam and Linh walked through the door. 

Biana practically CRUSHED Tam in a monster hug (no — the phrase "bear hug" was not big enough) and then shared a brief kiss. They were a cute couple that looked very genuinely happy together.

Soon Dex appeared with Marella and they were holding hands, so Sophie took that as a good sign. Sophie mentally reminded herself to ask Dex about it later. Finally, Keefe appeared and after greeting everyone with a smile and a hug, stood over by Linh and protectively put his arm around her waist. 

Sophie's heart literally GREW because she was so happy for Keefe. Keefe would always have a broken inside and a messed up family, but Linh's sweet, fragile self  would hopefully ease the pain and allow Keefe to start a family of his own one day.

Fitz drapped an arm around Sophie's shoulders and Sophie leaned in to him. For the next fifteen minutes or so, they all spoke about random things and catching up on each other's lives for the past few days.

After what seemed like ages, the Council showed up.

"Well," Councillors Emery said. "I think we can clearly see the Matches." He smiled.

"Marella and I are Matches," Dex said.

"Keefe and I are Matches," Linh said.

"Sophie and I are Matches," Fitz said.

"Tam and I are Matches," Biana said.

Emery wrote this all down as each person spoke. "Very well then. Remember: don't wait too long to get married, or have kids!"

"Yep, we know. But you wouldn't know because you can't have kids," Keefe said with his trademark smile. "Anyway, nice talk, hope to see you never, bye!"

The Council leapt away and everyone applauded Keefe for his performance.

Keefe bowed a few times, shamelessly taking the praise.

Sophie loved her friends.

Your welcome!! No cliffies. ANYWAY, for those of you who are followers, you would have known I moved the date back two days because I wasn't ready for the chapter. If you want to keep updated on when I update, follow me! I would love to have followers!! Also, I am going to update on the 19th. So set your calendars!! Also, before I update, I would like to have 50 followers. Then number of followers DOES NOT change when I update, it is just a goal for you guys. Hope you liked the chapter😘

Until next time, 

Biana