"Were you in contact with your brother?" Amiyah turns to me.
"No, but David was."
"Come, hold my hand."
I get up from the grass and take her hand. A glowing white platform appears beneath us and suddenly we've been teleported to the entrance of The Coven. David is already here with Elijah. And to my surprise, he's brought, guests. Ms. Patricia and Ms. Hughes! I let go of Amiyah's hand and run over to them. First, hugging my brother tightly. He chuckles to himself and we embrace each other in silence. On the verge of tears, I turn to Ms. Patricia and do the same. After her, it's Ms. Hughes' turn.
"Almost two weeks and we hear nothing from you," Elijah says. "You couldn't pick up a pen and paper?"
"Oh, don't scold her, Elijah. She's got enough going on," Ms. Patricia chimes in. "We're just glad you're safe."
I give Ms. Hughes an extra hug, a tight one, and apologize for what Helen did. She jokingly tries to explain that I'm choking her but I don't let go. I'm just so happy she's okay. Amiyah walks up and takes David to the side. Asking why is she just now hearing of this. He explains it was an outside matter that was meant to be a surprise for me. He apologizes, ensures we're safe and tells her it won't happen it again.
"Despite his royal position, he's still uninvited," she replies. "I don't trust any Valentine, except Alyssa. How did you even access the door?" She turns to Elijah.
"Ms. Patricia, here, actually did the honors. I didn't really understand what the hell David was talking about. And by the way, man—you're old! How-"
"A couple of spells," David replies. "I'm a spy for The Coven, sorry to tell you like this."
"Right, right," he side-eyes David. "Well, glad we've all been re-introduced. Alyssa, it's time to go home."
I finally let go of Ms. Hughes and shake my head. "No…I think I'm going to stay here."
Amiyah's eyes widen, "really?!"
"Stop this nonsense, Alyssa," Elijah continues. "You're a Valentine, you belong in Uboni. Besides, Brianna is searching for this place. You don't want to be here if she finds it."
"Is that a threat?" Amiyah whips her around. "Must all of you Valentine be so….stupid!"
"Resulting to name-calling. Really?" Elijah sighs. "I think you're stupid."
"Since when am I a Valentine?" I break up their toddler argument.
"Are you not a princess of the Valentine family? Have I mistaken you for someone else?"
"Did you know about my mother?"
"What the hell are you talking about?"
"Okay, okay!" Amiyah shouts. "Let's all just calm down. How about we go somewhere and talk things over in a civil manner, yes?"
I shrug, and Elijah nods.
"Good!" Amiyah continues. "You look like a drinking man, how about the bar?"
"If I heard you correctly, I think I'd like to make you my bride."
"Sorry, you're not my type. Brianna on the other hand….if she wasn't such an evil prude. But, anyway!" Amiyah cheerfully says. "Everyone follow me."
This oddity of a group walks together for five minutes while awkward stares come in from the people of The Coven. Especially directed at Elijah, and now me. I suppose seeing one Valentine they could handle, but another? Elijah is also more well-known than I am so it's more than the usual I got. We arrive at 'Gary's Bar,' and Amiyah sits us all down in the biggest booth they have. Much like the houses, it's a wooden establishment with minimal lights. Most of the visible light is coming from the sun peering through the cracks of the roof. We all take a seat and Amiyah greets the bartender, Gary, and orders two bottles of liquor for the table.
"Dragon-Tart," Amiyah insists. "Don't bring the cheap stuff."
Gary sighs and after two minutes he comes back with two bottles with green liquid sloshing around in them. He leaves again and returns with shot glasses for the whole table. Elijah does the honors of pouring the shots and Amiyah slides each glass across the table for everyone sitting. Everyone takes a drink but me and becomes awkwardly silent. It's suddenly interrupted by David clearing his throat.
"There's another reason I asked you to come, Elijah."
"Yeah, what's that?" He pours himself another shot. "Dragon-Tart? This stuff is pretty good, by the way. I've never heard of it before." He studies the bottle.
"I have information about Harris' death."
Everyone is taken aback, especially Ms. Hughes who shoots David a concerned stare.
"That's it?" Elijah laughs. "An investigation is already underway. I doubt Thomas will miss anything."
"Y-you should hear him out." Ms. Hughes whispers.
Elijah fixes himself in his seat, adjusts his posture, and gives David his full attention. "Okay, go."
"When I was freed by Brianna, members of The Council were also present. They didn't know I could hear them down the hall before they entered my cell. The Council and Queen Mother wanted to kill me right then and there but Brianna insisted I take Alyssa away. 'Wherever he wants, I don't care.' Were her words. They then began to discuss what to do with Harris, I'm sure you can see where I'm going with this?"
Elijah chuckles, taking another sip of liquor before becoming straight-faced. "Brianna is power hungry, but not enough to kill Father. Are you out of your mind?"
I glare at David, wondering why he didn't mention any of this to me. His attention is solely focused on Elijah though.
"I-it was your grandmother who suggested it. I was there." Ms. Hughes says. "King Harris was warming up to the idea of using multi-seals in the army. Once Alyssa escaped, Brianna had enough and vowed to take action. She called a council meeting where your grandmother was present. If Harris were to wake up, he'd take the crown back and they'd have no choice but to go along with his plans."
Elijah slams his fists onto the table. "Brianna wouldn't kill our Father. You're mistaken."
"Listen," David sighs. "It's the truth. Brianna cannot keep the crown under these circumstances, Elijah. I had to let you know. If Alyssa truly is staying here, perhaps you can reconsider becoming King."
Elijah turns to me. "Do you believe them?"
Unable to answer, I down the shot in my glass. It burns my throat and allows me to take my mind off the situation, only for one second. I do believe Brianna is capable of something that. I flashback to her crying on top of me. It's interrupted by Elijah speaking once more.
"What the hell, David." Elijah pours himself another shot. "And now, I'm supposed to just go back knowing this information? Because I'm letting you know right now, there's no way in hell I'm taking the crown. I don't want it." He shoots me another glance. "And what about you, here's your chance."
"I don't want it, not like this," I mutter.
"What happened to the kid who barked back anytime someone questioned her dream?"
"She grew up." I force a smile.
"If it's not me or Alyssa, then who? I don't want to believe you on this but something in my head is screaming 'it's the truth.' Still, I'd rather proceed with caution. She's already begun targeting multi-seals more heavily. As I said, she's searching for The Coven. It won't be long until she finds it. She sent the Knight Squad over to interrogate Charlotte, where they were met by Helen. And now, Charlotte's dead and the Knight Squad have failed yet another mission."
His words almost get a rise out of me before I shut it all down. "How is Rose?" I ask instead.
"She's doing better."
"Helen would be on her way to Espin right now. She's going to make a pact with Florence. You all have to prepare for it."
"It's 'you all' now?" Elijah asks. "So, you really are staying here?"
"There's nothing for me in Athys. But thinking it over again-" I turn to Amiyah. "We should help them. This could finally be the moment to start a relationship between the Valentine and Coven."
Amiyah shakes her head and puts it down on the table. "Your sister's hate for us is infamous. Even the likes of Helen bringing an army to her doorstep could not spark a relationship between us. If she finds us, we're prepared to protect ourselves."
"I love the confidence." Elijah smiles.
"I agree with her, unfortunately," David says.
"What about Ms. Hughes and Patricia?" I ask. "You two are going back?"
Ms. Patricia struggles to answer, looking at me and then at Elijah before shaking her head. "I can't leave her here alone. I'm sorry, Elijah."
"As for me," Ms. Hughes says. "I never planned on returning. I can't anymore."
"Oh, this is fantastic," Elijah drinks another shot.
"If that's all the information I needed to hear, I have some other things I need to take care of around the village." Amiyah stands from her seat, taking one final slurp of her liquor. "Training, tomorrow." She points to me. I nod my head quietly as she heads for the door.
"I like her," Elijah says.
"What're you going to do about all of this?" I turn back to him. "Helen will be coming for you all and the crown isn't even stable."
"You worry too much." He smiles.
"Stop brushing me off, Elijah. You always do this, you avoid the difficult conversations."
"Are we pointing out each other's flaws now? Shall I start with yours?"
"Just forget it. At least stay for the rest of the day?"
"I suppose so." He shrugs. "The liquor's good. And I'm not brushing you off, I'm brushing myself off honestly. I'd rather not think about everything I have to do when I get back home."
"We don't have to talk about it. Let me show you guys around, this place is astonishing."
David heads home and I spend the rest of the day giving Ms. Hughes, Patricia, and Elijah a tour. The same one Amiyah gave to me but I'm not as graceful as her. I awkwardly point things out with an excitement level too much for them to handle right now. Plus, Elijah's a little drink, but what's new? As the night goes on, we all grow quieter and quieter. I finally decide to take them to David's house. Sam, annoyed, sets up more space for Ms. Hughes and Patricia to sleep while Elijah and I sit outside staring at the stars.
"I want to ask you something—well ask again. I want you to be honest."
"What is it?" He asks.
"Did you know the truth the entire time? About Mother and Helen?"
"No," he sighs. "I mean—sort of. I didn't know who Helen was but once everything happened—her possessing your body. I put it together."
"Brianna told me what happened the night Father brought me home, where were you?"
He remains silent for a moment before reaching for a bottle of wine he got out of David's cabinet. "I walked in right after it happened. Father told us we could never tell you the truth."
"You don't hate me?"
"It was never your fault." He takes a sip from the bottle.
"That's what everyone says, but…"
"No buts. There's nothing left to say."