Hey y'all. So sorry it's been so long since I updated. This chapter is not my favorite, but a certain someone is next. I'm super excited to write them, and judging from the comments, a few of you a super excited to read him. So there's this thing I started with Neverseen (My Version) where I respond to all the comments. Yay! Thank you all for reading, and ilysm! On to the comment thank you things!

RareSpecies: Thanks for reading and reviewing! Here's an update. :)

BookButterfly11: Okay, you are above and beyond the most helpful reviewer on this site. Thank you so much for taking the time to write such thoughtful reviews. I'm sorry I glossed over the planting, there's a more detailed flashback coming next chapter. It'll be long, I promise. Because I just love this character. So much. Seriously. Thanks again for reading and reviewing. You're the coolest!

Xylia Neo: You're probably right, but who knows? When I write it's kinda like I puke it onto the paper, and half the time I don't reread it before I post it. Didn't even notice it was in there until you said that. Oh well. Thanks for reading and reviewing all my stories! ;)

Skydancer8: Of course there's going to be a Fitz section. It wouldn't be a complete analysis unless I had a Fitz section. But that section hasn't happened yet, although I am SUPER excited to write it. And sorry about glossing over the funeral. As I said before, Edaline is not in her right mind, I'll come back to it next chapter. Thanks for reading and reviewing!

Gigi: Apparently. Because here it is.

Guests: Please, find a name to distinguish yourselves with. I don't know if you've read Neverseen (My Version), but this was a huge issue with my other story. I want to properly thank you, but I can't. So you guys get your thank you as a group. Thanks for reading and reviewing! :)

Once again, thanks to all the readers, and a special thanks to everyone who reviewed. You're all pretty cool, and your reviews make my day. ;) Without further ado, Chapter Seven!

EDALINE

Edaline stood on top of the small hill—where two saplings were soon to be planted—and smoothed her flawless emerald dress. It was a beautiful day, as if the heavens wanted to honor the two, too short lives that had been lost. As she reached up to fix her impeccable hair, Grady grabbed her hand. She was sure the unshed tears in his eyes were reflected in her own. "Eda…"

And that sent her over the top. A single tear made its way down her gaunt cheek, opening the floodgates for more. And she couldn't make herself care. What did it matter if Vika Heks saw her lose her composure. She'd just lost a daughter—for the second time. She was entitled to her grief.

Next to her, surrounded by her husband and the triplets, Edaline saw her sister similarly occupied through tearstained eyes. Abandoning her spot, she ran to her older sister and flung herself into her arms. She had to remember: as hard as this was for her, Juline had just lost a child for the first time. And while Jolie had been nearly twenty when she'd died, Dex was only thirteen. And Sophie, only twelve. At least now Edaline knew what to expect from her grief. It hurt just as bad—possibly worse—that the day she'd lost Jolie, the pain didn't take her by surprise. Instead she embraced it like an old friend. She became numb.

Somewhere in the back of her mind, she felt herself led back to her side of the hill. She processed as the Councillors helped plant Sophie's tree. She robotically accepted condolences from acquaintances and strangers alike. And she was blissfully numb.

Until she met the eyes of Della Vacker.

Her oldest friend was a mess. Her makeup was smeared, her eyes were puffy, and she hadn't bothered to style her chocolate brown waves. "Eda…" she managed to squeak between sobs, then her words became unintelligible.

Edaline let her tears spill over again as well. Though it was untraditional, Della crossed the few feet between them and hugged Edaline tightly. "I'm…I'm here if you need—hic—anything."

"Thank you," Edaline sobbed. Over her friend's shoulder she saw Alden, Alvar, and Fitz shake Grady's hand, and Biana curtsy to the Councillors. She'd never seen the entire family so…disheveled. They all looked like they'd lost weight. And their usually vibrant teal eyes were sunken and flat.

"I'm so sorry," Della whispered into her ear. "I can't imagine the pain of losing one of my children, and to lose two…"

Edaline was too distraught to respond. Eventually, Alden guided his wife away, and the procession continued.

Edaline sunk back into her shell of grief, determined not to let anything pull her out again. She vaguely remembered shaking the hands of Cassius, Gisela, and Keefe Sencen. Even Vika and Timkin Heks showed up with Stina, although she hadn't spoken to them in ages. She hadn't seen or spoken to half the people that showed up since Jolie's death, and the realization brought on a whole new batch of tears.

She noticed everyone leaving, and then her gaze settled on three, bright red heads. No, she and her sister were not in the same boat. She'd lost everything. Everything. Two times! Juline still had three children left. Three children to love, and cherish, and call her own. Bitter jealousy bubbled up from Edaline's stomach and wound its way up her spine. She let out a primal, guttural scream and sank to her knees. The last thing she remembered was Elwin forcing her to drink. Then it all went black.