Phaenora was stretched out on a plush sofa beside Vastarael, her legs crossed over his lap and an arm flung lazily behind his neck. Her head tilted back, exposing her long throat, and she gave a soft sigh, like the world was at peace because she had decided so. Vastarael didn't even flinch. He just absentmindedly ran a hand over her ankle, relaxed in a way none of the others had seen in weeks.
The Sentina Erideae were scattered around the room. Natalis and Denisia were sipping something that sparkled. Farrynelle was sharpening her chakrams. Peroncerea hovered nearby, pretending to be aloof but very obviously watching for entertainment. Xander and Eldrigan had stopped trying to understand anything ten minutes ago and were just watching with snacks.
And no one commented on Phaenora's touchiness. Well, except three.
Adelasta sat at the far end of the lounge, acting like she wasn't watching Vastarael get smothered in Phaenora's affection. Elyonari sat next to her amd Narisva? She was sprawled across a couch upside down, dangling off it like a cat bored with royalty, twirling a piece of her hair with her finger.
"Okay," Narisva finally said, breaking the long silence that had settled. "I don't get it. Why do you hate Phaenora so much?"
Everyone looked up at that. Xander even choked a little on his apple slice. Adelasta's eyes glinted. Phaenora didn't sit up or even turn to face them.
"She doesn't hate me," she said with a sly smile. "Not really."
Adelasta scowled. "Don't speak for me—"
But Phaenora raised a single finger.
"You hate that I take him and how I pull him away from you. And that's valid."
Vastarael tilted his head slightly but didn't say anything.
"Because, I've had him since birth. And I'll have him until that spark is extinguished. You're just stepping stones to our relationship."
A tense silence followed that one.
Xander muttered, "Well shit—"
Elyonari whispered something under her breath in an elvish language. Narisva raised an eyebrow, half-curious, half ready to start chaos. Adelasta stood up.
"You always keep him to yourself. You're not the only one who loves him."
Phaenora finally sat up a bit more, her arms resting on her knees, still smiling.
"But you never tell him to stay, do you?"
"What?" Elyonari blinked.
"You never ask him to choose," Phaenora said. "Because you already know what he would say."
Then she turned to Vastarael, still smiling faintly.
"Darling. If I asked you to stay in your female form for one full year, would you?"
Vastarael, with zero hesitation not even a consideration of consequence, answered.
"Of course."
Xander's jaw hit the floor. Eldrigan dropped his drink. Adelasta and Elyonari froze. Elyonari slowly turned to him, her voice gentle but dangerous.
"And if I asked you the same?"
Vastarael looked at her, just as sincere and shook his head.
"No."
The room exploded with tension. Even the air froze like it was expecting a divine battle to go down.
"You're kidding," Elyonari whispered as calm serenity cracked. Her glow dimmed, flickering with genuine hurt now.
"I—" Vastarael raised a hand. "That's not—"
"Why not?" Adelasta demanded. "What is it she gives that we don't?"
"I gives him control," Phaenora answered bluntly, standing now, brushing off her dress like a queen who had just delivered a war declaration. "Because I take him as he is, not as a god or as a soldier or someone with obligations. I take him as Veneri. That's what he needs."
There was a heavy silence until she added coldly.
"And he loves me more than you three of course."
That one did it.
Elyonari was on her feet in an instant, her vines curling behind her like whips ready to lash. Her eyes now shimmered with the storm beneath the forest floor.
"You what?"
"She said what she said," Narisva muttered, holding her back with one arm. "Let it simmer, Elly."
"I will smite her—"
"Do it and I'll implant your brain with infinite knowledge," Phaenora warned, her sapphire energy blooming off. "Let's not turn this place into an exorcism."
Adelasta just shook her head, clearly done, muttering, "You really are something else."
Vastarael just chuckled.
"I like it when you all get along," he said, reaching out to grab a snack. "It's kind of cozy."
"Cozy?" Xander exploded. "Bro, you just angered THREE divine-level women who can rewrite—"
"And you're smiling?!" Eldrigan added. "You're either the bravest man alive or the dumbest old bastard Spheraphase ever raised!"
"Why not both?" Phaenora muttered, looking proud.
"HE SAID 'YES' TO STAYING A WOMAN FOR A YEAR AND DIDN'T EVEN FLINCH!" Xander cried. "That's commitment. Or madness. Or both again!"
Everyone was mid-chaos when Phaenora suddenly clapped her hands together. She glanced around the lounge, eyes flitting over each of the ten.
"Right! Let's change gears before one of you combusts. I have a question. Do any of you know anything about Enlightenment Powers?"
Denisia blinked. "The what powers?"
Natalis leaned to her. "Did we miss a meeting?"
"I thought that was just mythological," Farrynelle muttered, confused.
"You mean like the… philosophical kind of Enlightenment?" Elyonari asked, still side-eyeing her.
Phaenora blinked. Her mouth opened then closed then opened again.
"You're telling me that not a single one of you, not even one of you knows what Enlightenment Powers are?"
Silence again.
Adelasta squinted. "Is this another one of your mind games?"
"No. No-no-no. No, because this is insane. How are you all Divine-class, ruling the strongest bloodlines and none of you have studied the 72 Enlightenment Powers?"
"Is it a menu?" Xander asked.
"Don't help," Eldrigan muttered, facepalming.
Phaenora turned to Vastarael. "Veneri. Did you never bring this up?"
"I like keeping it mysterious," he said innocently, licking honey off his fingers out of the pastry he ate. "I knew about it from you remember? Not even I knew about it."
Phaenora grabbed a pillow and screamed into it. Then flung it at him. He caught it, still smiling.