Eris woke up feeling refreshed. It took him a moment to get his bearings, soon realizing he was still in his sisters’ room. Selene really knew how to make a powerful potion. Yawning, he kicked off the sheets and tried vainly to smooth out the wrinkles in his shirt and pants.

Next time he would have to remember to change before he took the potion. Yawning again, he stretched his arms above his head, stretching his muscles. Last night had been the best night’s sleep he had had since arriving at the Palace.

Looking around, he sought any sign of his sister, but she was nowhere to be found. She was probably training with Uriel or eating with Urit and Ranita, her two new best friends. In either case, she was gone. The bed was empty, aside from himself, and the curtains shut, blocking the sun. Scanning the room again, he wondered if that little kitten that never wavered from her side was left behind.

Peeking under the bed while he grabbed his shows, the door opened. His head shot up, and his breath was caught in his throat. Azelia was standing in the doorway, carrying a bemused expression.

“Lose something?”

“What? Oh no. My sister, this kitten—”

“It’s following her, has been for hours now. You’ve been asleep for almost half a day. Selene sent me up here to see if you were awake yet.”

“Oh, well, I just woke up, actually.”

“So I see.” Azelia cocked her head to the side, examining Eris intently, making his cheeks burn red. “You look well rested.”

“Best rest I’ve had in weeks, actually.”

“I’m glad.”

Eris studied her this time as he stood up, trying casually to smooth out the wrinkles in his clothes. “Your appearance says otherwise.”

“My thoughts are my own and quite selfish, Eris Sintas. Now your sister is waiting. You should clean up and get dressed. Your Vampyre is also craving attention.” She looked away, and Eris’s muscles tightened at her harsh, unflattering tone.

“Her name is Nivette,” he said aggressively through gritted teeth. He would not let Nivette be spoken about in such a demeaning way.

“I’m aware of her name. This isn’t the first time our paths have crossed.”

“Then don’t belittle her, Azelia. She is my friend and someone I care about who turned her back against her coven—her family—to save mine. Nivette has gone through so much and has risked her life for mine. The least you could do is show her respect.”

Azelia’s eyes flared, but she smiled nonetheless, a tight-lipped forced smile that pinched her cheeks. “You’re so keen on running away, and yet you are drawn to that which has already been written.”

“His life is his to live, Azelia, not by your whims,” came a calm yet intimidating voice. Nivette appeared in the doorway and slid around Azelia, flipping her chestnut hair over her porcelain and pale shoulder.

“Do not chastise me. You’ve no—”

“Actually, I do. Negal has told me everything. And if you hadn’t noticed, Senid will no longer let things go as they should. Isn’t that why my life was taken? Isn’t that why the Vampyre King is coming after Selene now? History doesn’t always have to repeat itself.”

Eris spun Nivette around to face him. “You know why he’s coming after Selene?”

“He wants to turn her, not kill her. Something about protecting—”

“Nivette! Enough! Letting him turn you was not my choice; I was overruled on the matter.”

“No! Tell me, what’s going on?”

“We cannot,” said Nivette. “The Gods themselves have bound our tongues. Unfortunately.” Nivette rolled her beautiful blue eyes and laced her arms around Eris’s neck. Eris remembered that vision of her in white, holding a parasol over her head. Then, she looked as beautiful as she did now. Although he wanted nothing more than to kiss her, he wanted to go and console Azelia, who looked so beaten. Nivette must have seen the look in his eyes because she pulled away and sat on the bed, carefully examining her fingernails.

“Azelia, I’ll meet my sister shortly. You can leave now.”

“My thoughts exactly,” muttered Nivette.

“Very well. I hope to see you later, without Nivette glued to your side.” She bowed stiffly and left the room, slamming the door behind her.

“Well, isn’t she all high and mighty?”

“They all are,” he said, heading to the bathroom.

“Such is the Reborn way,” she laughed. Eris looked back at her, bending down to her eye level. This close to her, he could see how long her lashes were. “Would you like me to leave?”

“No.” Eris kissed her, picking her up in his arms. He would do his sister a favor and not soil her bed.

***

Eris had left Nivette in his room as secretively as he could. He would prefer it if Azelia did not know of his indiscretions. That was a decent word for that, he thought.

“You look well rested,” said Selene when she saw him, engulfing him in a hug.

“All thanks to you. What would I do without you?”

“Go crazy.” She smiled, and Eris kissed the top of her head. He probably would, he thought. She was everything to him, the one thing he was so sure of. The one thing in the world he cared about more than anything. More than all the women in his life put together.

“That’s almost a certainty.” Eris hugged her tightly and kissed her head again before he sat next to her.

“Hello, Eris,” said Anita smiling up at him with her fondness that wielded none of the attraction and desire that seemed to befall every other girl he met.  It was one of the reasons he enjoyed her company, second only to his sister.

“Hey Anita, how are you?”

“Oh, very well, thank you. Has Selene told you the good news?”

“What good news?” He looked at his sister, who was beaming joyfully.

“I’m going to perform Anita’s Rune Ritual. Isn’t it wonderful! The anticipation is unrelenting.” Eris shook his head.

“At least it’s on someone other than yourself.”

“There’s another bit of the good news,” said Anita.

“Good lord,” muttered Eris.

“Oh, hush. I need you to brush up on the Water Rune Ritual. Anita has already agreed to indulge me and study the Air Rune Ritual.”

Eris looked at Anita, defeated and shocked. “Why in the world would you agree to do that?”

“I was intrigued,” she said nonchalantly. Eris watched her bewildered as she took a sip of her Sweet Water and smiled at him blissfully. Then, sighing, defeated, he made a mental note to spoil his sister, find out and memorize the ritual she had asked.

“Selene, you drive me crazy.”

“Ah, but you adore me.” She said, draping her arm over his shoulders and laying her head on him.

“That I do.”

“Selene, that isn’t all. Tell him the rest.”

“Oh god, there’s more,” he said, feigning distress as he smiled at her playfully. Selene inched away slightly and looked away. Now Eris was worried. “Selene?”

“The Goddess came to me and told me that Pietro is coming for a visit. But she didn’t say when.

Eris clucked his tongue, something he did whenever he was upset or annoyed. From the first moment he saw Pietro, he immediately disliked him. There was something wrong about him. Why couldn’t she just settle for Uriel, who was so obviously smitten with her? He liked Uriel more than he liked any man who had been interested in his sister.

“Oh my,” muttered Anita. “Eris, I’ve never seen that look on your face before.”

“Hopefully, it’s not one you’ll have to see again. I prefer Blake to him if you’ll settle for a Witch.”

“You don’t even like Blake,” he heard Selene mutter in an undertone. Eris shot her an annoyed and disapproving look.

“Eris, calm down,” soothed Anita.

“Oh, don’t mind him, I don’t. Eris is simply an overprotective idiotic fool.”

“Well, forgive me for caring.”

“You’re forgiven.” Selene kissed his cheek and leaned her head back down on his shoulder. Eris rolled his eyes and looked back at the smiling Anita.

“I wish I had a brother.” Selene burst out laughing, leaving Eris feeling slightly wounded and his dignity insulted.

“It’s not a walk in the park.”

“You’re not exactly easy to handle,” Eris shot back.

“Oh my. It appears I ruined a precious moment.” Anita laughed and grabbed her books. “I must be off now. Try not to bicker too much.” Anita bid them farewell and walked off alone. Eris shook off his wounded pride and looked at his sister. He knew her well enough to know that there was more that she had neglected to say. Eris looked at her and stared into her deep purple eyes. She smiled at him.

“You know me so well, brother.”

“What more of me are you going to ask?”

“Remember the runes in my notebook.  Well, I’m changing their plans.  But you only need to worry about the one on my right wrist. I can’t do it myself.  I’m still planning on waiting until the Eclipse next month, so that gives you time.”

“Time to do what?”

“Time to study the Strength Rune…and practice your control over shadows.” Selene scooted away on the seat. Eris stared at her angrily, realizing the depth of her request.

“Are you insane!” he hissed, looking around warily for any sign of unwanted spectators.

“Maybe. We’ll leave it for a later discussion. But, in any case, please, Eris, I really believe it will help. Especially against the Shadowlings. It might even help protect me against the Vampyre King.”

Eris looked at his pleading sister thoughtfully. With her hair braided and wrapped into an intricate bun with lavender vines woven in, only her long delicate bangs were left out to highlight the contours of her beautiful face. Looking at her like this, the fear in her deep purple eyes, he could scarcely stay mad and say no.

“This is dangerous, Selene, incredibly dangerous. But I’ll do it for you.” Selene threw her arms around him and hugged him tightly. Then, hugging her back, Eris closed his eyes and listened to her relieved breathing, unaware of a pair of honey-colored eyes watching them.