Our transports arrive at Davidson's palace of a home, and the front is packed with newbloods, Silvers, and Reds. The inside of the home seems to be flowing with people and it's incredibly lively. Soft, classical music drifts from the speakers of the poles lined around the house. Chit chat fills the air and the sound of glass filled with wine tinkles around me. Everyone is dressed so elegantly that I feel underdressed compared to how I felt back at the house. I spot Davidson and his husband at the grand front door. He notices me and smiles welcomingly, maneuvering his way through the crowd to greet the Barrow family.

My family and I stand there awkwardly, not used to fancy feasts considering the lifestyle we grew up in. Poor, dirty, scavenging to survive in the Stilts. But Davidson shakes hands with all of us, gesturing to his estate.

"Welcome back, Barrow family. Thank you for joining our celebratory feast on the trials and battles we have won over the past year. The most progress has been made thanks to General Farley, Mare, and Kilorn. Dinner will start in the left wing of the palace, the grand banquet hall in about 15 minutes. There are no seating arrangements but please feel free to join me at the head of the table when the time comes."

We nod, aware of our highly ranked position in Davidson's circle, thanks to contributions from Farley and I. My mom looks at me, understanding I need some time to reunite with former fighting allies. Taking my dad's arm, she says, "We'll be waiting in the grand hall for you. Take your time."

Kilorn's already slipping away, having spotted Cameron with her family near the fountain. Traitor.

Bree and Tramy leave as well to socialize with people inside the palace. Farley squeezes my hand before she leaves with my parents, Gisa, and Clara, to save seats for us in the grand banquet hall. I try to form a smile but feel like it comes off more as a grimace.

They leave me to my own devices, but I'm not sure where to start. My eyes roam the crowd, and I realize I'm searching for one particular face. Stop that.

My feet move aimlessly through the crowd. Funny how even surrounded by a ton of people, I can't help but feel vulnerable and alone. A few people come up to me and thank me for my contributions to the cause. My face flushes from the appreciation but I nod all the same. They regard me as some sort of hero even though we all knew it had to be done. I was just fighting for what I believed in.

I realize I'm getting nowhere being outside and find a place I'm more familiar with. Entering the palace, servants offer me glasses of wine that I kindly reject. I follow the path to the library where I know Julian will be, regardless of a party going on or not. I'm not surprised to see him bent over a book, studying the text with the concentration of a war general. I wonder what's got him so hooked on it. Sara Skonos sits beside him, reading a book on human anatomy silently.

I cough to draw his attention. No response. I flicker the lights on and off for a few seconds to really let my presence be known.

He doesn't have to look up to know it's me. "Mare, there's a party to be enjoyed and you choose to be with an old man? I'm flattered you find me so exciting."

I roll my eyes. Sara has enough courtesy to look up from her book to smile warmly in greeting at me. Slumping into a dusty chair across from them, I glance at the book title. Genetic Mutations from Silver to Red. More research on why newbloods came into existence.

Unlike the others, I've seen Julian every now and then. We don't have to go through the motions of catching up with another. "They see me as a hero."

Julian doesn't break pace. "Is that not what you would call yourself?"

"No," I shake my head. "I was just doing what I thought was right. I'm still not used to the attention."

He looks up at me now, observing my expression. "Heroes are often regarded for doing the right things for the population as a whole. Usually things others would prefer not to do, out of fear."

"Then wouldn't that make you a hero? And Farley, and Davidson?"

"By our own right, then yes." Julian flips the page to his book, skimming through text again. "Although, we've received enough gratitude in the past couple of months while you've been in hiding."

My face heats up. That's right. Out of the representatives in the Scarlet Guard and of Montfort, I am the only one who refused to participate in the meetings and councils. They were left to decide the future of Norta and which action to take regarding the rebuilding of my former country. I can only imagine how many times they were stopped and thanked in the past three months while I hid from the world, needing the space from everyone and everything. Now that I'm out in the open, people can properly pay their respects and appreciation to me.

Julian looks up to wink at me. "I say to simply accept their gratitude. You've done a great deal of service for the Scarlet Guard."

I shrug, admitting he's right. Glancing at the clock, Sara softly says, "Dinner will be starting soon, Mare. We'll see you at the table."

I take it as a sign to leave, and I make my way out of the library. I roam the inner workings of the palace, getting thanked at every corner. It's a little bit exhausting. Faces become a blur and I try to block everything out. Eventually, I duck my head, trying to lay low in the crowd. Deep down, I know who I'm searching for but am I ready to confront him? Do I really want to see him again?

I rush into a little alcove below some stairs, calming my nerves. I take deep breaths in. It's been awhile since I've been surrounded by so many people. I wonder where he could be though.

The sound of giggling and soft voices carries their way to me from above. I hear the click of multiple heels walking down the stairs. I glance from my hidden position underneath the stairwell and I see long, silver hair next to red hair. It's Evangeline and Elane. They're linking arms and leaning intimately into one another. They stop at the bottom of the staircase, sharing a very sensual kiss before heading towards the banquet hall. I blush at such a private moment and turn my gaze away, not wanting to intrude.

With a flash, a metal knife flies by my face only inches away. My heart pounds when I turn to look where it came from, lightning threatening to spill from my fingertips. The rush of adrenaline from a battle hasn't hit me in so long.

Evangeline Samos smirks at me. "I knew I sensed a rat."

For a split second, I feel irritation at how close she came to cutting my face and then I remember that if she really wanted to, she would have. I was the one caught unaware at this point.

Elane wears a simple black dress while Evangeline is all done up in her usual metal made dress. Ready for any fight to happen, looking as intimidating as possible. She also looks a lot more at ease than she ever had in Norta. She and Elane can openly be together with no judgment. Evangeline had thrown everything away for love. Her life of royalty, her crown, her family. If only a certain fire prince felt the same.

"I wonder when you guys will learn that a palace has quite a ton of rooms open for privacy," I say, folding my arms across my chest.

"And I wonder when you'll learn to realize that spying on people has its consequences," Evangeline retorts, with Elane giggling behind her hand. Disgust fills me at their open display of affection but at the same time, I feel happy for her.

"I didn't expect to run into you so soon, much less, at all," I shrug. "Shouldn't you guys be at the banquet hall already?"

Evangeline raises a perfectly arched brow. "Elane and I had to get ready beforehand. To look presentable and strong takes time." She and Elane exchange secret and knowing glances, and I don't even want to know what their definition of getting ready is.

"Anyway," she continues smoothly. She pulls the knife from the wall to form back into her dress. I resist the urge to shudder. "Shouldn't you be in the process of making up with Cal by now? I thought you'd be busy with him before the dinner."

I flinch at the open use of his name. All the happiness I felt for her dissipates. Everyone had been so busy skirting around the topic, but not Evangeline. She gets straight to the point.

"I haven't seen him," I mutter. I inspect the ends of my purple hair, nonchalantly.

"Oh?" she muses. "I believe I last saw him-"

"I don't need to know," I move brusquely past her. I'm not ready to face him yet. I don't know if I ever will be.

Unfortunately for me, we're all going to the same place. Evangeline and Elane follow closely behind me.

"He still seems to be quite hung up on you, after you broke his heart," she tells me. I clench my teeth. She must think she's doing me a favor informing me about how he feels. Sensing my discomfort, she goes on slyly, "Although I can't be sure if it's because he still has feelings for you or because he's had reflections from moving on. After all, we've all suffered a great deal from that particular situation." She's referring to the awkward betrothal to Cal, and how she literally forced him and I to cross the distance we tried so hard to keep between each other. Only for it to end with her running away with her own lover and me insisting on space, after he gave up everything for me.

"When have you talked to him?" I ask sharply. I can feel her smugness coat the air around us.

"Earlier in the afternoon." I hear the grin in her tone. She's baiting me, trying to draw my curiosity out. I refuse to fall into this trap.

We cross from the west wing of the palace to the east wing now, getting closer to the banquet hall. It appears most of the crowd is already settled inside, a few more trickling in. I pause outside the open doors, turning to glare at Evangeline. She glances at Elane, a thoughtful expression crossing her features. It's all an act.

"Oh dear," she puts one hand to where her heart should be, if she had one. "I should also warn you that he's been spending a lot more time with a pretty girl from Piedmont. What was she again, Elane?"

Elane joins in on the fun. "I believe she was a skin healer."

I grit my teeth together. It wouldn't surprise me to know Cal would still be actively training and sparring with others, so of course he'd need a healer around to patch him up. Evangeline is just trying to get under my skin. At least, I hope she is. She's trying to evoke a reaction out of me and I practice keeping my face still. I hate knowing the mere description of the girl being pretty is bothering me so badly.

Evangeline knows better, reading the tension on my face. Throwing me a sly grin, "Well, anyway, best of luck to you, lightning girl. You're going to need it. You've had enough time to hide."

With a laugh, she and Elane enter the grand hall, bigger than any hall I had ever seen. I have never seen this room before. It could easily be compared to the banquet halls in Summerton or Whitefire Palace. Thinking back to Evangeline, I hate her even more now. I hope wherever she sits is far away from me. I stalk into the room, appearing sulkier than I want to. There's so many people inside that I don't know where to look. The windows are wide open, allowing the refreshing sunset breeze to cool the room. The ceilings are tall and open, the premier having set up skylights so that the beauty from outside can be admired over food.

Warm, orange sunlight bleeds its way into the hall. The chandeliers sparkle above us, giving everybody a magical glow combined with the sunlight. Servants bustle around, setting down tons of plates of food onto each and every table. It looks delicious and nobody notices me enter the room, too distracted by everything else.

"Mare!" I hear a cheery voice over the voices of many. I spy Ella and her wild blue hair at the table near what can be considered the front. She's standing up in her seat, waving wildly at me to come over. Rafe smiles sheepishly at her unembarrassed display and Tyton shakes his head. Across from her, my family sits patiently waiting for me to arrive. Cameron's family sits beside mine, with Cameron flanking Kilorn's left. On his right, is an empty seat for what I assume to be mine.

I walk over to my seat. Ella practically sprints out of her own chair around the table and greets me with a huge hug. I haven't seen her in so long, forgetting how electrifying her energy is.

"I've missed you and your lightning," she laughs, giving me a slight shock of her own blue lightning. I can't help but be lifted by her mood.

"I miss practicing with you guys," I smile at each of the electricons in turn. After months of lazing around, I think I'm ready to return back to fighting. I miss the feeling of freedom it gave me, as I call upon my own power. Knowing that it answers to nobody but me.

Ella wraps her arm around my shoulders. "Whenever you're ready, I know the perfect place for us to really wreak havoc. It'll be a drive but it's worth it."

"Is it going to be in Prairie?" I ask curiously. I can't think of anywhere we could practice in the mountains. Our type of power needs an open space.

"It better be." I turn and see Davidson make his way to the head of the table. "I won't let you electricons practice ever again on the mountains. That was a lot of cleaning up to do and could have ended very disastrously." He looks at each of them with a firm expression and they all laugh nervously. I'm assuming the last time they practiced in the mountains, a rockslide or something must have occurred, a chunk of Ella's powerful, blue lightning ripping off a side of the mountain.

We all take our seats. Davidson remains standing, calling attention to everybody in the room. Somehow, he manages to quiet the room, gaining the respect from each person in the audience. Everyone looks toward our table and I try not to shrink back in my own chair, feeling eyes on me as well.

"Tonight, we celebrate a gathering, a feast on our victories and overcoming hard trials. Thanks to the Scarlet Guard, allies of Montfort, and good-hearted Silvers," he glances towards Julian who simply nods in acknowledgement. "We've created a revolutionary change in society, ending the long and ill-suffered fates of Reds by a kingdom of Silvers. I have fought alongside a large majority of you. I have seen the obstacles of war take its hold, pulling you under. And I commend you all for fighting through it and getting right back up to pursue this cause that we have strived for."

Applause erupts throughout the banquet hall, cheers and cries of joy. Davidson truly smiles, looking happy beyond his usually neutral expression. "We've come too far to stop now. A lot of progress has been made in the country of Norta, and we've still got a long way to go. The battle is far from over until the other countries recognize that equality is for all. Let us introduce to them the democracy Montfort lives under. That we can all coexist and live in peace no matter what the color of your blood is." More clapping and applause breaks out. "For now, let us celebrate how far we've come. Let us appreciate how big the impact we have made on this country. Thank you to each and every one of you for believing in us, the cause. Thank you for the support. Thank you to those who have committed to our goals. And let us drink to a better future to come for generations."

We all cheer loudly, I'm surprised the hall doesn't burst from our thunderous applause. Everyone goes back to chatting and eating with one another, the hum of the feast fading into the background. Kilorn digs into his food next to me, making a mess of himself. Cameron looks at him disgusted, but I notice the wad of napkins beside her plate building up. The electricons engage in happy conversation with my family. Farley speaks every now and then, making small talk but mostly engaging with Clara. Davidson makes his rounds, travelling between tables to make sure everyone is content. Being a good host. His husband, Carmadon, sits with us. He's used to his husband not being present at his side, but I can see the amount of love he has for Davidson. Pride swells in his facial expression.

A chair scrapes and it's Tramy, looking extremely worried. Bree ignores him, face red from the alcohol but Gisa cares enough to ask. "What's wrong?"

"I need a bathroom," he says. "But I don't know where one is."

Bree laughs loudly, the wine getting to him. "Someone can't handle their own alcohol. You drank too much."

"At least I'm smart enough to keep myself hydrated," Tramy slurs.

"I'll help you find it," Bree gets up a little too quickly, almost knocking over his glass. Mom grabs his elbow immediately, pulling him back down into his seat. Clucking her tongue at him, she states, "No, you will not. I will not have two drunken boys stumbling around this palace. Kilorn will take you."

Kilorn glances over, face stuffed with bison. "Me?" The image is hilarious and makes us laugh.

"Yes," Mom insists. "I can't send Gisa or Mare in the chance Tramy collapses." She looks skeptically at Tramy who is trying his best to stay upright. We're too little to help carry him back if he falls, and I'm sure she doesn't want to see her daughters dragging him back in front of all these people.

Kilorn shrugs. Swallowing his food, he goes, "Okay." He stands up and leads Tramy away from the table. They hurry to the bathroom before any real disaster can happen.

The space where Kilorn sat is empty now. Everybody returns to their conversations while I pick idly at my food. One plate was enough for me, my thoughts turning my stomach into a jumbling mess.

"So what did that tin can say to you?"

Cameron's piercing gaze finds mine, her hands wiping steadily on another napkin. I put on a smile. "Nothing important."

She scoffs. "Yeah, right. You expect me to believe that when you came in all moody? It was about Cal, wasn't it?"

Cameron is sixteen years old now, the same age as Gisa. She also had a lot of growing up to do in the past year, taking on the role of leadership. She focuses a lot on making political moves for the slum towns and improving relations between the techies and the rest of Nortan society. Her relationship with Kilorn has been slow but they've become a lot closer in the past three months. His feelings for me dwindled down greatly, and I'm happy for it. Cameron and Kilorn together are perfect, despite them being rough around the edges.

Sighing, I prod at my food with a fork. "It was."

"Figures. The only time you and the fireball are ever down is usually because of each other." Cameron glances at me. "Did you get a chance to talk to him?"

I shake my head. "I haven't seen him at all since we got here." I feel like everybody must know about our breakup by now and it's a little bit embarrassing.

"You two should talk."

Exasperated, I tell her, "I'm fully aware, Cameron. Maybe if I actually see him for once, then everybody will stop telling me what I already know."

"Hey, I'm just saying. You've been so uptight since you sat down but maybe you're not the only one who feels the same way," she remarks. "I know exactly where he's sitting, and I will gladly point you his way."

My face heats up.

"Well?" she prods. Before I can open my mouth to say anything, there's a crash towards the door we entered in.