Vesta’s eyes slowly flutter open.
She blinks against the light, her gaze unfocused as it drifts across the ceiling without truly seeing it. The figures gathered above her don’t seem to register. There is no spark of recognition, no confusion, no fear.
After a long moment, her eyelids slip shut once more as she turns onto her side, drawing her knees towards her chest and curling in on herself.
She simply lies there in silence.
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Without a word, Vesta walks out the door, closing it softly behind her. She lifts a hand and mutters an incantation, setting a wall of force against the door.
Only then does she continue down the hall, her footsteps quiet against the stone.
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As Zukar speaks, Vesta remains silent.
Her face gives away nothing. Arms still folded across her chest, she stares at the floor, listening without interruption. When he finishes, she doesn’t speak. Instead, her gaze slowly lifts to meet his.
She studies him. Searching.
For several long moments, she simply looks at him, her expression unreadable. Then, she rises to her feet.
“I see.”
The words are quiet.
She smooths a hand over the front of her skirts before turning towards the door. She walks calmly, turning back only briefly to glance at Jade.
“I would like to leave, please.”
Her voice is soft, almost distant.
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Vesta lets out a slow breath, folding her arms tightly across her chest again. For a long moment, she simply studies the floor, lost in thought. Finally, she huffs.
“So because they’re powerful, we’re supposed to let them do whatever they want?”
She tilts her head.
“Yes, they’re dragons.” A small shrug. “I do not fear them.”
Her voice remains calm.
“Nothing I did justifies leveling a kingdom full of innocent people. I did not threaten them. I couldn’t hurt them if I wanted to. I would disintegrate.”
She shakes her head.
“If they chose to abuse their power by destroying the kingdom instead of confronting me, then I stand by what I said. The alliance with them should be reconsidered.”
She pauses.
“It almost sounds like they’re looking for an excuse, and I’m just a scapegoat that happened along at a convenient time.”
A humorless laugh escapes her.
“But I’m done being intimidated by people simply because they have power, or titles, or scales.”
The grip on her arms tightens, nails digging into her skin.
“The famine happened because a dragon desired power over the lives of everyone else.” She raises a brow. “How many people suffered and died because of it?”
She meets Jade’s eyes with fiery determination.
“I fixed that mistake. I saved their lives by sacrificing my own. Nymera is alive because of me.”
Her smile fades.
“So no…” She gives a slow shake of her head. “I will not yield because they are more powerful than me. They will not have an apology.”
She straightens, squaring her shoulders.
“If they kill me, then they kill me. At least I’ll die as myself.”
Her voice goes quiet, final.
“That is the one thing that no one will ever take from me."
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Vesta folds her arms across her chest and looks over to Zukar.
“I asked Nymera to talk some sense into Kalil because he isn’t acting like himself. He’s become arrogant. Cruel.” She shakes her head. “You saw how he responded to Zinna’s suffering. And he threatened to kill you because you asked him for help.”
Her brow furrows.
“I said if that’s how he treats the people closest to him, then I fear for everyone beneath his crown. Nymera is the only one that has a chance of getting through to him, and stop him from becoming a monster.” A faint, unapologetic smile tugs at her lips. “I wasn’t diplomatic about it. I said what I thought, and I didn’t soften a single word.”
Turning back to Jade, her expression grows more resolute.
“I am not one of the ‘heroes’. I am Ramtovi. I have no kingdom to serve, and no banner to kneel beneath.” She pauses. “I may have saved the world, but that doesn’t make me a hero.”
A shadow crosses her face.
“My loyalty has always belonged to my Queen. And now she’s dead.”
She goes quiet for a moment.
“They will make their decision. I have already made mine.” She shrugs. “I will not apologize for speaking my truth. I won’t bite my tongue because someone demands it.”
She meets Jade’s gaze without flinching.
“If they choose to kill me, then that’s their choice. I can’t stop them from murdering innocents if they decide my words are reason enough to condemn a kingdom I don’t even belong to.”
A bitter smile touches her lips.
“The stars you darken can’t light your path. And one day, when they’re lost in the dark, they’ll wonder why the sky no longer answers.”
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Vesta’s eyes go wide, her expression melting into complete disbelief as her jaw drops. It lasts only a heartbeat before she erupts into laughter.
“You can’t be serious!” She presses a hand over her mouth, trying and failing to compose herself. “He did not-!”
The words die in another fit of laughter. She wipes at the tears gathering in the corners of her eyes, doubling over as she struggles to catch her breath.
“Oh this is too much, I’m dying-”
It takes several long moments before she manages to regain even a shred of composure, though the occasional giggle still escapes her.
“Sorry, sorry, I can tell you’re worried about this but-” Another snort of laughter escapes her despite her best efforts. “This genuinely might be the stupidest thing I’ve ever heard.”
She takes a slow breath, rubbing at her face as she forces herself to settle down.
“I send a letter to his mother telling her that Kalil’s been an ass and that I’m worried for the people he rules… and his response is to threaten to kill an entire kingdom?”
She chuckles again, shaking her head.
“Does he realize I’m not even a citizen? Or that the kingdom that he’s threatening is going to be his husband’s?” She lets out an incredulous laugh. “If that doesn’t prove my point that Kalil is being a little bitch, I don’t know what else will.”
Vesta rolls her eyes.
“The great King of Dragons got his feelings hurt, so his answer is to simply slaughter people who had absolutely nothing to do with it.” She leans back in her chair, disbelief lingering in her voice. “I fear there’s a much larger issue on our hands, then.”
She looks to Jade, her expression growing more serious.
“If a bruised ego means an act of war, you should warn the King. He ought to reconsider that alliance before Kalil decides to level the map because someone put a vegetable on his dinner plate.”
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Vesta raises an eyebrow as she reaches for the paper, unfolding it. Her eyes skim the page before she folds it again and sets it back on the desk.
“You said Jedash came to you?” She tilts her head. “Why?”
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Vesta breathes a sigh of relief, her face brightening with a warm smile.
“That’s a relief. I’m so glad he’s awake.” A soft laugh escapes her. “Perhaps we can all have tea together soon. I’ve been meaning to visit Roman and Calliope as well.”
She shakes her head.
“I don’t know if Raissa is awake.” She gives a small shrug. “To be honest with you, I don’t particularly care. I haven’t heard from Gran.”
She intertwines her fingers with Zukar’s, giving his hand a gentle squeeze. Her expression falls a bit, and though she still smiles, it doesn’t quite reach her eyes.
“We’re doing better than we were, now that the famine is over. But…” She pauses, letting out a slow breath. “I’m tired, Jade. Ending the famine took more out of me than I can say.”
Her eyes drift to Zukar before returning to Jade.
“I think I need to step away for a little while. We’ve been talking about spending a few months at Virelya’s grove, if she allows it.”
She thinks for a moment.
“I don’t know if I could even get the vardo there, but regardless, I need to get away. Somewhere I can recover from these past two years.”
She exhales slowly, absently brushing her thumb across the back of Zukar’s hand.
“I want to finish my book. Spend time with Zukar. I’d like to get to know Virelya better, and rebuild her shrine. Learn the old songs and stories…” She trails off for a moment before adding softly, “I want a little while where my mind isn’t trying to tear itself apart.”
Her shoulders sag slightly.
“I know the war is still going on, and I feel guilty leaving you to it.” She sighs. “But if I’m honest, I don’t think I’d be much use to anyone like this. I gave most of my life force to Virelya.”
She offers Jade an apologetic smile.
“I hope you won’t think less of me if I disappear for a few months. I’d still love for you to visit.” She smiles a little more warmly. “And I hope you’ll still write to me.”
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Vesta arrives with Zukar in tow, dressed in her usual attire, though her hair has been pulled back. She pauses at the door, waiting to be let in. Once granted entry, her gaze flicks over her shoulder towards Kumara, a flash of mild disgust crossing her features before she smooths it away.
She mutters something under her breath in the Ramtovi tongue, shaking off her distaste of the creature. She turns her attention to Jade.
“Good afternoon, Baroness.”
She dips into a quick curtsy, an easy smile spreading across her face as she greets her friend. She takes a seat and gently tugs Zukar along beside her.
“Sorry I haven’t checked in since the Amphitheater. How are you, Jade?” She hesitates, then adds, “Is Julien awake?”
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“I do.”
The words come quietly.
Vesta reaches into her bag and withdraws a careful stack of letters, then waits to be led towards the circle.
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Vesta does not return the smile. Instead, she steps forward and places a small pouch of gold coins onto the counter.
“I need to send several missives, please.” She says flatly.
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A Ramtovi woman draped in white moves through the streets with measured, silent steps. A thin white veil is wrapped across her face and hair, soft fabric stirring faintly with each breath she takes. Beside her walks a man dressed in the same pale colors, the pair standing out starkly against the city around them.
Together, they make their way towards the Mage’s Guild, and enter.
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Vesta accepts the journal back, her expression tightening as she scans the page.
“Given what this ritual’s already done…” she murmurs, frowning, “I think it’s best left as dead knowledge.”
She closes the book partway and turns her attention back to Marquanthis.
“You said it’s one time use...” A slight pause. “Would you know of any way to reverse something like this? To unravel a binding designed to be permanent?”
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Vesta pulls her worn journal from her bag, flipping through the pages until she finds what she’s looking for. She turns it outwards and offers it to Marquanthis.
“These are the runes that were on the bones.” Her finger hovers over one symbol. “I know that one says ‘anchor.’ We’ve seen it repeated on several pillars.”
She withdraws her hand and takes a polite step back, giving him space.
“There are a few pages of additional notes as well. Things we’ve uncovered, sketches, visions.” She motions softly. “You’re welcome to look through any of it.”
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Vesta dips into a practiced curtsy beside Jade, then lifts her hand in a small wave, her smile polite but measured.
“Hello, Marquanthis,” she greets him. “Hope you’re doing well.”
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