Page 301 of Lady of Starfire

Juliette was lying on her back sprawled across the bed. “I believe those are the daggers you lost to Nuri when she won a bet.”

“What bet?” Scarlett demanded, hands going to her hips.

Juliette rolled onto her stomach. “I do not know which bet, Scarlett. We bet on everything.”

“You cannot recall the bet, but you can recall the prize?”

“Surely you can part with them,” Nuri said, shoving a cloak into the pack. “You have super special friends that can create you bright and shiny new daggers.”

Scarlett rolled her eyes, but stopped arguing with her. She was right, of course, and she was just…in a mood. All three of them were. Which was about to be quite a conundrum for the males and female in their lives.

Scarlett crossed the room and plopped down onto the bed beside Juliette. She pulled a small bag from her shadows, opening it and tossing a few nuts into her mouth. Juliette immediately snatched the bag, dumping some peanuts into her hand.

“Do they not have food in the Witch Kingdoms?” Scarlett asked with a scowl.

“I was in a hurry to leave this morning,” Juliette said with a shrug, dumping out another handful.

“I literally came to get you.” Juliette shrugged again, passing the bag back to Scarlett. “This is over half gone now,” she cried in outrage.

“I think that is everything,” Nuri said, and Scarlett and Juliette fell quiet, turning to her.

Silence settled over them as the three of them looked between each other. Scarlett was the first to look away as she said, “You do not have to go, Nuri.”

“I do, Scarlett,” Nuri answered. Her voice was softer than Scarlett had ever heard it. “I cannot stay here. Not with everything I was forced to do to the people on this continent and in this realm.”

Scarlett understood. She truly did. They had discussed this for hours. First the three of them and then several more discussions with Sorin, Mordecai, and the others. Nuri had already stepped down as the Contessa of the Night Children, Auberon becoming Count of the territory. He had not called for Nuri’s execution, but she had been banned from the territory. Scarlett understood that too. She had murdered their Contessa who had reigned for over five hundred years. Banishment was a mercy, really.

Juliette cleared her throat. “We really should get going. I have to be back at sundown for a meeting with various coven leaders.”

Juliette. The new High Witch, taking the place her aunt had left vacant. There had been a question whether or not Juliette could be both the High Witch and the Oracle, but apparently bloodline was as important to the Witches as it was to the rest of the lands. It was really Juliette and Arantxa leading the Witch Kingdoms now. Arantxa’s official title may be the High Witch’s Second, but Juliette left many responsibilities in her hands. She had been Hazel’s Second for decades and knew more of the customs than Juliette did. They would figure out a balance at some point. The fact that Juliette and Arantxa had developed a more intimate relationship certainly helped matters.

“Are you sure you have everything?” Scarlett asked, looking around the room Nuri and Mordecai had been staying in these past few weeks. Mordecai had been packed and gone before the sun rose, ever the efficient warrior. But he’d also known Juliette and Scarlett would be here at sunrise. Now it was nearly high noon. They’d had the morning together.

One last time.

Scarlett gave her sisters a weak smile as she held out her hands to them. Nuri shouldered the pack she had just finished filling and picked up another one that had been set off to the side. Juliette grabbed one hand, and Nuri’s hand slipped into the other before Scarlett Traveled them to the Citadel.

Scarlett preferred the mirror gate in the Runic Lands. It was the most private of them all. Juliette couldn’t leave the continent though, so this was the best mirror gate to use. The doors to the Citadel immediately opened, Ashtine and Briar there waiting for them. The Fae Queen smiled and Briar stepped aside to let them pass. Mordecai, Sorin, and Arantxa were already here, along with Cassius. Scarlett did not particularly want anyone else present for this.

Mordecai immediately took the packs from Nuri, adding them to his one pack he was holding before they made their way silently through the halls to the libraries beneath. Scarlett felt as if she had blinked and suddenly found herself here, before the mirror gate. Briar and Ashtine left them in peace, pulling the doors shut behind them, the thud of it echoing in the silent chamber.

No one spoke as the females silently stared at each other once more.

“Juliette?” Scarlett rasped, holding Nuri’s stare. “I need you to tell me we will see each other again.”

“There are many possibilities, Scarlett,” she answered softly.

“But that is one of them, right?”

A tear slipped free.

She heard Juliette’s voice crack when she said, “Yes. There are many that find our paths crossing again. Some in this life. Some beyond the Veil.”

“You can stay,” Scarlett said again. She glanced at Mordecai. “You can both stay. You will be safe here.”

The seraph shook his head. He had only stayed this long to make sure that all the remaining seraphs had been dealt with. “Even you cannot stop this, your Majesty. You have just saved this realm. If I stay here, you will find more than Maraans in your lands.”

“You will keep her safe?” Scarlett asked, more tears slipping free, and to her shock, two tears were sliding down Nuri’s cheeks. Scarlett had never seen her cry. Not once. Tears in her eyes, yes, but never real tears. Not even when Juliette had died.

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