They both returned to beastworld at dawn. Raziel was waiting in the palace courtyard, with unreadable expressions.
"Welcome back."
"Thank you for giving me this time." Nyx replied.
"Did it help? Did alone time with Umbra clarify things?"
"Yes. It's made everything clearer and more complicated."
"Raziel. Thank you for trusting me with her safety." Umbra said.
"I didn't have a choice. Earth forced the situation." He smiled. "But let's be honest, you wanted this, and you got it."
"I did want it. But I also genuinely protected her."
"We all need to talk somewhere in private." Razeil said.
They went to the same council chamber where they'd negotiated the trial arrangement months ago.
"Three months are almost up. Trial period is ending. It's time to make decisions." He looked at Nyx. "What do you want? Not what you think I can handle, not what seems fair to everyone. What do you actually want?"
Nyx took a breath, feeling the weight of the moment.
