The music finally came to its ending, and I let out a shaky breath and stood up from the piano. I lingered over the keys for just a second, really considering sitting back down, playing another song, and never leaving this room.

It was too much of a sanctuary. Too easy to get lost in. It was dangerous, a liability. And then there was also the looming threat that anyone would find out that I played. 

I tore myself away from the piano and forced myself hurriedly past the instruments that were scattered through the room, all the while playing each and every one of them in my mind and crafting something new but just as equally beautiful.

When I exited the hidden room, the hallway was hardly lit. I moved to the window and pulled back a curtain, staring out at the rain as it pattered gently against the glass.

What a sonorous melody from something so unintentional.

Luckily, the thunder and lightning from the night before had been chased away, leaving the rain. And even that was beginning to wind down.

I heard talking and followed it, crossing my arms. It led me to the sitting room where Alexander, James, Angelica, Aaron, Philip, Hercules, and Washington were scattered throughout the room and talking.

"There you are," Alexander said, looking up as I entered and silence fell. "I was beginning to...worry..." His eyes then transfixed on something behind me.

"What's wrong?" I asked, stepping towards him. "Alex?"

"I like the new... uh... look?" Philip offered, his smile not quite genuine.

"What?"

"Well, I don't," said James, standing up and walking over to me. "What inspired this one?"

"What are you guys talking about?"

Hercules crossed his arms and titled his head, as if he was trying to work out a puzzle he didn't quite understand. "Your wings?"

"What's wrong with my—oh."

Oh. No.

This isn't good.

"Oh, I forgot," said Aaron easily, casting me a meaningful smile that didn't quite match the look in his eyes. "Thomas and I were testing out something yesterday."

"Right," I said, though not hearing him. Instead, I was staring over my shoulder at my wings. Where the normal radiant white feathered wings would be stood two... less radiant white feathered wings.

Look, I have nothing against bats.

But their wings do not suit me.

I glanced over at Aaron and tried to find a smile. He nodded at my silent question, eyes just as solemn as I felt.

This had to do with my little evening stroll last night.

"Well, I like it," said Alexander, smiling up at me with an ease that he seemingly pulled from nowhere.

How did he make everything just a bit lighter?

I looked over at Angelica, who was thoroughly invested in the cup of tea that sat on the table in front of her. I didn't have to read her mind to know what she was thinking, but this secret was mine to tell and she knew it.

"Well, anyway," I said, pulling my wings close to my body and crossing over to sit next to Alexander. "What are you all talking about? I didn't interrupt anything, did I?"

Washington spoke for the first time that morning, leaning forwards in his chair with a tiredness I shared. "Nothing overly important. Where did you go last night?"

"Out for a flight. You know how much I hate being cooped up in here." It was the best excuse I could come up with that didn't raise too much suspicion. But, fortunately for me, it aligned with my outburst from a few days ago and somewhat with the one from last month.

Washington nodded, either believing me or too tired to care. "Well, anyway, we've gotten some reports on expenses that the king has made in the past few weeks."

That piqued my interest. "Really? What did they say?"

"There wasn't anything too specific," said Hercules. "Unfortunately, all we know is that he's been spending lots of money recently."

"And do we know why?"

He shook his head.

I mulled it over for a bit, a sick feeling bubbling up in my stomach. The less we know, the more perilous the situation. He could be building weapons, investing in finding new spells meant to torture, preparing for something that would certainly mean the death of all of us.

Hercules was the head of the spy ring, though he never viewed it as much of a promotion compared to actually doing the work himself. He knew everything that the king told his closest confidants.

So if he didn't know what the king was planning, then it was dangerous in every sense of the word.

A flash of gold caught my eye. I glanced over at the entrance to the terrace where I had seen it, and a petite white bird was floating there, gently flapping its wings.

At first, I assumed it was taking cover from the rain, but then I noticed its feathers, the tips of which were golden. And that was a dead give away as to where this bird had come from and whom it belonged to.

I rose nervously to my feet and walked over to the door. The minute I pulled it open, the bird soared in and landed on my outstretched arm.

Its plumage was perfect, its golden accents shining.

"What is it?" Philip asked as I turned around.

"Well, guys. Aaron was right. Time to go. We can't stay here."

Lots of protesting erupted at that statement, mostly from Angelica, who adamantly refused to believe that Aaron was right about something.

"Thomas," Washington said, cutting into the madness and silencing everyone. "What do you mean?"

"This bird is one of the king's. If she knows where we are, he knows where we are."

"Not so," the bird said, her voice far wiser and more regal than one would expect from a bird.

"Yeah," agreed Belletra as she landed on the railing outside. "I showed her in."

"And why in Divinity's multiple worlds would you do that?"

Belletra preened her chest as she mumbled, "I don't know. She's pretty."

"I don't care if she's a flying sex god. We do not invite random birds we do not know into our secret base!"

"What—?" began Alexander, but James shook his head at him.

"Anyway," I said, redirecting my attention to the bird, who seemed relatively unfazed by the commotion happening around her. "Why are you here?"

"Good morning, my lord," she said with a dip of her head and a folding in of her wings. "It is wonderful to see you again. When will you be returning to the castle? My fellow birds of the garden and I miss you."

I decided it best not to answer her. "What do you want from me?"

"Only to deliver my message, my lord."

"Enough with that," I snapped. "Cut to the point."

Seemingly out of nowhere, a floating scroll appeared in front of my face. I hesitated before taking it, and risked a glance at the bird while doing so. "You are dismissed," I said, the sinking feeling in my stomach growing when I saw the red seal closing the letter.

"I'm afraid I must stay and await your answer, my lord."

"Fine. Can you do so on the terrace?"

The bird nodded and made off for the railing. I shut the door behind her and undid the seal, dreading what was inside.

I read the letter. Once. Twice. Even a third time.

It didn't make sense, yet it was exactly what I was expecting.

Finally, I folded the parchment back up and handed it to Belletra. "Burn it."

"What? What does it say?" said James, slowly rising from the table.

"Doesn't matter. I don't want it. Get it out of my sight."

Belletra brought the letter to James. Because why would she not? He unfolded it and skimmed over it, frowning almost instantly.

"What does it say?" Alexander prompted.

"Don't you dare—"

James read the letter aloud:

"My dearest Thomas,

First, I would like to apologize for the simple inconvenience that we cannot have a civil conversation without one or more of us being stabbed. I would personally like to apologize for that as well, by the way. Stabbing you I mean. I know you may not believe it, but I am glad you are okay.

But more importantly, it is with great pleasure that I invite you to the Summer Ball to be thrown tomorrow night in the annual celebration of the Creation of Magic.

It would truly mean a lot to me if you could come. We have much we need to discuss, but I also just want to see you again and be able to talk in less extreme conditions.

Of course, you will have to come alone unarmed, but I invite you not to worry. You will be considered a guest of honor, and if anyone tries to harm you, I will personally see to the removal of them from my council. No harm will come to you as long as you remain in my home.

The Ball will be held in the castle, though I'm quite sure you will be able to figure out where. Please send your reply by my little friend."

Here, James swallowed and took a second before continuing, displaying the discomfort we all felt, especially me.

"I look forward to seeing you again, and I eagerly await your reply.

I will, as we used to say, count down the moments until I see you next.

Yours,
George Frederick III"

A long silence followed as we mulled over what had just been presented for us, broken by only the rain against the windows.

"Well," Angelica said after a while. "What are you going to do?"

I scoffed, unable to believe that this was actually a discussion we would be having. "What do you mean? I'm not going."

"I'd hold off on saying that just yet, Thomas," said Washington in the voice he's always in when he's formulating a plan.

Right now, I didn't like that voice.

"Nope. No holding off. Saying it now. I'm not going. That's final."

"This could be our chance, Thomas."

"Our chance for what? We already have spies in the palace. Have them do something. I'm not going in there by myself unarmed."

"You should at least see what he wants," said Hercules.

"We know what he wants. To kill me. I'm not giving him that pleasure."

"Thomas, you're being dramatic."

"I am not being dramatic."

Besides me, Alexander was uncharacteristically silent. His jaw was tightened and his hands balled into fists, as if he was fighting back the urge to weigh in.

I let my hand brush against his. When he looked up at me, I smiled as reassuringly as I could, hoping to show him the courage I didn't feel myself.

"I can't go. It's not happening. I'm sorry, but I just can't." I tried not to let any of the fear and panic I had bottled up inside poke through as I spoke, but the back of my throat was beginning to burn with the pent up emotions.

"What's wrong, Thomas?" teased Aaron. "Are you afraid?"

"Yes!" The silence that followed said more than words could. I lingered in for a moment too long before bowing my head. "I will do whatever you tell me, General, and I will do it gladly. But if I go, I won't be coming back."

Finally, Alexander spoke. "He's not going."

"Alexander, it isn't up to you."

"You see, sir, with all due respect, I don't give a shit. I'm not letting him go by himself. Thomas could get hurt. He could die. I'm not risking it. It isn't worth it."

A warm feeling rippled in my stomach like the surface of a pond on a calm day. Along with it, a sudden surge of guilt.

How could I do this to him? Sooner or later, I am going to die. I am going to lose him, and he's going to lose me. I have to stop lying to him. I have to tell him the truth or completely give up. It isn't fair. This isn't fair to Alexander. I have to give him up. I have to. 

And yet, every time I resolve to do that, I never go through with it.

I'm incredibly selfish, but how can I stop myself from being happy? 

"Thomas can take care of himself."

"And I don't doubt that. But what if he gets hurt again?" There was something hidden behind the challenge. A layer of worry. A layer of fear.  "Thomas could have died the last time we fought the king. And even then, he was with other people. And now you want him to go alone?"

"I don't want him to! I'm just as apprehensive about this as you are, but can we really give up this chance?"

"Maybe," said Hercules, setting down the letter James had handed him. "Maybe he doesn't have to go alone." 

I looked over to him, grateful for the break in the argument. 

"The letter said—"

"I know what the letter said. But do you really think that the king is going to stop him from bringing some birds with him?"

I cocked my head and thought it over, chewing on my bottom lip. "Well, I doubt it, but—"

"Okay, I'll get to the point. I'll go with you." The minute the words had left his mouth, he disappeared, and in his place was a tiny gray bird that resembled Amica almost perfectly. "Shape shifting, after all, is kinda my thing."

"Hercules, that's a brilliant idea!"

"Thank you!" He paused. "You don't have to sound so surprised you know."

"What is he saying?" Washington asked. They couldn't understand him like James and I could, right? Because he's now a bird? 

Hercules took his regular form again and shook his head. "Only that I'll go with Thomas." 

"Then you'll go?"

I nodded. "I'll go."

But still, the unsettling feeling in my stomach persisted.