Ariadne held tight to her father and for just a moment it felt like all was right in the world. He had always been her safe space—even despite all of the trials they had seen as a family over the past year. It had taken her too long to realize, but he was her family, no matter what. Nothing was going to change that. And when he held her, she felt as safe as could be. It was almost as if the past few weeks hadn’t happened. It was almost as if she hadn’t just escaped a fire that was likely now consuming all of the Agris lands. Ari shuddered to think what would happen if not everyone was able to escape. It had been a horrifying sight. She had seen far too many horrifying sights since coming into Persephone’s service. Sometimes the young woman wondered what her life would have been like if she had chosen to stay in Arcana. Perhaps she would be married now, a mother even. There were so many ways her life could be different and she would never know them, for she had chosen a different path.

This path had led her to be standing in their family kitchen, well past the midnight hour, caring for members of nobility and their households. It wasn’t a situation she had ever prepared for. Nor, likely, Hector. He was taking it all in stride, as he usually did, for which Ariadne was grateful. He was even taking her apology, which she did not deserve, but was grateful for nonetheless. She was wracked with terrible guilt for leaving him and Isi at the festival, but it had seemed like the only option at the time. Ari was grateful to be reunited with Perse, but knew how terribly her father would be worried.

When Hector answered her question about her twin and uncle, Ari gave a little sigh of relief. As much as she wanted—and needed—her twin, their home was bursting at the seams with this many people inside. It would be hard enough to get two more people—even ones who lived there a place. She had no time to worry about what the pair had gotten themselves up to, but she was sure there would be plenty of time to fret about it later. For now, she set aside those thoughts and moved to the matter in front of them.

“I’m glad you got it,” she responded. “It was the only way I could think to get the news to you. He is promised to Olena—the woman we put to bed in my room.” She hesitated for a moment, unsure if she should share more details of Olena’s condition. It was not widely known, but this was her father. Tactfully, she added, “Most don’t know yet—Olena only recently found out herself—that she is with child. Dima means the world to her. Having him back would mean everything.” It was true—it felt like there was much on the line when it came to finding the man. Ariadne only hoped that there would be good news when her father discovered what happened.

“He was delivering a missive to Princess Emilia on behalf of Persephone and he did not return. She is most anxious to find out what happened to him. And see him safely returned. They have been good to Persephone in her absence from Athenia.” Many of the finer details were still unclear to Ariadne herself, but she had picked up enough from Perse and Chrysanthe to understand some of what happened. She pulled on her golden hair slightly, shaking some ash out and releasing the smell of fire into the air once again. She longed for a bath and to be rid of this night, but would likely be the last one to truly relax with all of these guests in their home.

“I hope it was all right we came here, Papa. I couldn’t think of anywhere else to go. Today has been so horrible.”