Two months later...

Josie's POV

There could come a time when I wouldn't be late... not.

"Excuse me!" I called as I ran down the hallway, my sandals hitting the glossy marble floor with a crack! A couple of maids in their black gowns and white aprons turned as I barreled forward like I was after a handbag on sale. I could totally be a track runner if I wanted to. The maids shrieked, ducking to the side of the hallway, flashing by. The coffee in my hand sloshed dangerously close to spilling.

At least I hadn't eaten the croissant this time.

Two more turns, and I finally came to a panting stop outside of Eadlyn's office. Three butlers walked past me with cardboard boxes containing streamers, balloons, and more confetti than was probably healthy. All final party preparations for Eady's nineteenth birthday were underway. The shebang would be tomorrow, and plenty of guests were making the trip - some a long haul, like Ahren and Camille. I couldn't wait to see Kile (who ever thought I'd say that?) His banishment from the palace was still in effect, and he would be coming over from Bonita (one of the most southern provinces) for the party.

I couldn't wait until his banishment ended in the summer. Then he wouldn't be so far away.

With a deep breath, I sashayed into the office, flashing a grin at Lady Brice as she looked up. "Hello, Almost-Prime-Minister."

"Interim Prime Minister," she reminded me, scribbling in her ever-present notebook. "It's only temporary until we have an official election and a proper Prime Minister can be voted in."

"Oh, whatever," I said, walking over to Eadlyn's desk. I set down the coffee and passed her the flaky croissant. "Here you go."

Eadlyn flicked her dark eyes up to me quickly, looking elegant today with her hair swept up into a side-twist. "You're late, Josie."

"Uh, I know," I replied sheepishly, smoothing the hem of my pink blouse. "Sorry."

"Where's the mail?" she inquired, peering at the empty wooden mail tray.

I raised an eyebrow. "Are you kidding? Eadlyn, you received so many birthday cards that they're filling sacks in the mail room. I'd have to make several trips... with a wagon." I'd gotten a few cards for my birthday last month. Shannon gave me a teddy-bear and that keychain I'd asked for. Katie, Antonia, and Kitty also came over for my party. I'd wanted it to be bigger, but there was a meeting to talk about Parliament, so I had to keep it to just a sleep-over - which meant no boys. Oh well, there's always next year.

But, I had to admit it, I actually liked the smaller party. I'd only ever had large parties, but it was nice just being the five of us. We had popcorn and candy and watched about a dozen movies, and it was nice.

Eady's party was going to be insane, from what I'd heard. Especially because Mrs. Singer had arrived with Miss May, and the two of them at a celebration was sort of like putting fireworks in a microwave. I should know - Osten did that once.

"Ah," Eadlyn said, the corners of her mouth quirking up into a smile. The Illéan subjects were certainly warming up to her. "Well, don't concern yourself with it, then."

I gave her a thumb's-up before turning to Neena, who hadn't changed out of her pajama sweatpants. "What's on the agenda today?"

Technically, I was an assistant to Neena, and not Eadlyn. But still, she was a Lady-in-waiting to Eady. Neena shuffled some papers in her hands before she nodded at them. "We have to make sure that the florist has sent the correct flowers, and make sure that Osten hasn't put vinegar in the punch bowl again."

"Sounds great," I chirped.

A look suddenly crawled over Eadlyn's face, a grimace. She huffed, gulping hard.

Lady Brice looked over like a whip. "Your Majesty? Are you alright?"

"Nothing to be concerned over," Eadlyn said through gritted teeth. With a deep breath, she gave us a smile. "Just a wave of nausea, that's all."

"Do you want to rest?" Neena offered her, knitting her brow. "You've been working since six in the morning-"

Eadlyn waved her hand. "Absolutely not. I can rest later. Lady Brice, would you please have someone check on Eikko's suit? Thank you."

Neena and I said our good-bye's to Eadlyn and Lady Brice before we wound through the hallways (the maids saw me again and automatically moved.) The Dining Hall had been transformed into a shimmering wonderland. I gazed around at the glittering lace drapes and twinkle lights running around the room. Bouquets of white lilies, roses, and tulips were lined up against the far wall to be set on the linen-covered tables.

Glimmering bows were tied on the backs of cloth chairs, a dance floor set up in the middle of the hall with plenty of spotlights pointed at it. Shiny silver streamers were wound from the ceiling, some tumbling to the ground in curls. Matching dishes were on the table, place cards marking where different guests could sit.

"Wow," I breathed. "Impressive."

"Josie!" a familiar voice called.

I glanced over, Dad grinning at me from near the windows. Light streamed in, hitting the floor in a blinding shine. Mr. Maxon and General Leger were over there as well, pausing their conversation to smile at us.

"Hi, Daddy!" I sang, walking over to him. We hugged, his embrace warm. Dad gave the best hugs. "What are you all talking about?"

"The guest list," Mr. Maxon answered as Neena came over, clutching her notebook. "Well, sort of." His gaze slid over to General Leger. "More about who's not welcome."

I frowned for a moment. That sounded a little rude. Then, it dawned on me. "You mean Marid Illéa?" I asked, my eyes widening. We hadn't heard about Marid (or his parents, for that matter) for nearly a year. And I wanted it to stay that way.

"You think he might try to come?" Neena murmured in surprise, glancing between the three adults.

General Leger shrugged, blinking his green eyes. "Pray not, but we just want to be careful."

I tossed Neena an unsure look as they fell quiet again. Marid Illéa was out of our hair. He couldn't get the throne now... right?

Dad cleared his throat. "So, what you both up to?"

I rearranged my face into a smile, the expression feeling a bit forced. Dad was changing the subject. "Checking on party details. We have to make sure that the caterers are on point."

He ruffled my blond hair, eyes the same blue as mine shining. "That's my girl. Well, we won't keep you ladies."

"Nice pants, by the way," Mr. Maxon joked to Neena with a grin.

She made a face, mock upset. "Thanks. Nice gray hairs, by the way."

I giggled, General Leger laughing. Mr. Maxon smoothed his honey hair, gray specks dotting it here and there. "It gives me character."

Neena winked a goodbye to them all as we left, but the second we were out of earshot, they began to whisper. I let the smile slip off my face as we approached the flowers, Neena opening her notebook. "Do you think Marid is going to try something?" I asked quietly, feeling like if I said it too loudly, it might come true.

After a pause, Neena shrugged. "I really have no idea. I think he would've given up on being king by now. It's not like he can have the throne, anyway. Eadlyn's married Erik. Marid's devious plan didn't work." She shook her head, her black braid hitting her shoulders. "Nevermind. I don't want to talk about this. Here, can you count the lily bouquets?"

"Okay," I muttered, inhaling the soft scent of spring flowers. I tried to focus on the work, taking stock of the flora and checking the punch. Marid couldn't bother us again.

Right?

The next day...

Cake.

So. Much. Cake.

I spooned up another bite of velvety, chocolate dessert, practically swooning. I had to hand it to the cooks: they sure knew how to bake some great treats. But the chocolate cake took the... well, cake.

"You're eating like it's going to be gone," Mom laughed from the chair next to me.

"Speak for yourself," I teased playfully, a tower of bright yellow lemon tarts on her plate. "You'd think the Knave of Hearts struck the Palace."

She giggled, sweeping her light hair over her shoulders. I glanced at Mom, some gray hairs shining among her locks as well. She still looked incredibly young, her cheeks with a rosy glow. There were laugh lines that crinkled around her eyes whenever she chuckled, now, but like Mr. Maxon had said - all this gave her even more character. She rearranged her pale blue gown, a simple number with cap sleeves and a gauzy-sheathed, satin bodice.

Cameras flashed around the room as the press took pictures at hyper-speed, documenting all of the event. I was fine with them lingering farther away, trying to get a photograph of Ahren and Camille, freshly from France.

"Marlee!" Miss America called, racing up to our table, her own aqua eyes glistening with joy. "Come dance with us! It's a Tessa Tamble song!"

In a second, Mom was up. A pop song bubbled over the speakers, a female voice filling the Dining Hall with bright lyrics. I knew of Tessa Tamble - a singer from when my Mom was a teenager - from some magazine. Mom grinned at me, looping arms with Miss America. "I'll see you later, sweetie." After blowing me a kiss, the two of them ran off to join Miss May on the dance floor.

I smiled lightly. A year ago, watching them dance like teenage girls, belting out lyrics, would have embarrassed me. Now, though, it just seemed sweet.

Without warning, a pair of hands covered my eyes. I blinked reflexively against the dark. "Dad? Is that you?"

"Guess again," a voice replied.

I gasped. "Kile!" I shoved his arms away, the room spinning as I stood up. He laughed as I hugged him tightly, crinkling his pressed suit. "I was wondering when you would get here!"

"The plane was a little late," he answered, once I'd let him out of my vice grip. "The press stopped me at the door, too. But, thankfully, I got away."

I grinned up at him, his blue eyes shining with joy. He looked nice in his suit, crisp with a red bowtie. His yellow hair was a little messy, and slightly shorter than when I'd seen him at Christmas. All in all - Kile. "How have you been?"

"Great," he replied, beaming. "And I see you're doing well." He motioned to my plate. "Inhaling the cake, I see."

I punched him playfully in the arm, laughing. "Shut up. It's a party. Oh! Speaking of which, have you talked to Eadlyn yet?" I motioned over to where she was laughing with Erik, surrounded by a group of friends from Italy. Her dress was silver, blooming out into a full skirt. The bodice was layered with snowy lace, long sleeves shimmering as she turned. Her hair was piled up on top of her head, finished with a shining crown. The whole thing set off her her natural olive complexion in a really healthy way.

I, on the other hand, had gone with something more subtle. My own gown was violet, something to complement my eyes. The dress fanned out at the bottom in an A-line cut, with a little (just a little) shimmer near the high neckline. I'd let my hair down, curling the ends into ringlets, with just lip-gloss for makeup. It was simple, but I liked it.

"She looks busy," Kile said, cracking a grin.

"Have you said hi to Mom?" I inquired, looking over to where Mom was doing some dance I couldn't place that resembled someone swatting a bee.

Kile suppressed a laugh. "She looks a little busy, too. I just got here so I thought I'd say hey to you first."

I looked up at him, surprised. "Really?" I couldn't think of anything else to say. My older brother had wanted to see me (me? His annoying - yet charming, if I do say so myself - younger sister?) before anyone else, including the queen of Illéa?

"'Course," he said, elbowing my lightly. "So, honestly, how have you been?"

"Well," I shrugged, still a little flustered. But still, I couldn't quite fight that happy glow I felt. "Gram said she wishes she could've been here for my birthday. Oh, and Aunt Georgie says hello, too. All the cousins called me."

Kile rolled his eyes happily. "So, what, like thirty calls?"

"About," I confirmed. We had lots of aunts and uncles on our Dad's side. Mom was an only child. "How's Bonita?"

His face lit up like a supercharged light bulb. "Great! It's really hot there, so plenty of sunscreen has been involved, but I've been working on this model of housing that uses a more water-resistant wood. We've already gotten about fifty places constructed and we're working on the rest. The people there are wonderful, too." Something flickered across his face that I couldn't place before he cleared his throat. "Anyway, it's coming along"

I bobbed my head in agreement. I hadn't looked at Kile's housing plans too much, but Eadlyn approved of them, so they were probably nice. Plus, my brother's sort of... pretty... okay, a really hard worker, so of course he's doing well in Bonita. "Do you want to dance?"

Kile held out his elbow in answer. I slipped my hand through the crook of his arm and we traveled together onto the dance floor. The rush of people, gowns rustling, voices chattering was fitting for the party. A newer song came on, some pop-rock that got lots of people moving. We danced together, Kile spinning me around and around until I was dizzy. I stepped on his feet at least four times, but he just laughed it off, and we kept dancing.

Eventually, I noticed Eadlyn drift over to Neena, murmuring something to her. Neena frowned in clear confusion, looking over at Eady with her big, chocolate eyes. I paused dancing with Kile, watching the two of them. What were they talking about?

Eadlyn nodded to the doors of the Dining Hall.

I turned my head, my gaze traveling to guest after guest, photographer after photographer, before it settled on a tall, fair-skinned man standing in the arching doorway. He had on a gray suit with a slick tie, his coal-black shoes shone up to a shine. His glasses were wiry, but they suited him and his half-smile. His brown hair, however, was half matted down, and the other half looked like it had gotten shocked - sort of like someone had tried (rather unsuccessfully) to tame his wild hair.

Neena gasped, her hands flying up to her mouth. Even from here I could see the tears springing to her eyes. Without a word, she flew forward, her curly hair flying, icy white dress fluttering at her ankles. She ran across the Dining Hall, not caring about who was watching as the press took pictures in surprise. The man opened his arms and she flung herself into them, hugging him tightly.

Eadlyn smiled at them, the couple embracing. When she caught my eye she winked, strolling over. "I love happy reunions, don't you?"

"How is Neena's boyfriend here?" I blurted. "What was it... Mason?"

Kile sighed tiredly. "Some things never change, Josie."

"Old habits die hard," I replied with a lopsided smile in his direction. He rolled his eyes again, but a little grin was on his face.

"Mark," Eadlyn corrected me gently. "They've been dating for a while, but they live far apart."

I processed this, nodding. "So he's visiting for your birthday ball?"

"Actually, I had my Uncle Gerad pull some strings," Eadlyn explained. "They both work in the science field, and Uncle Gerad found Mark work here in Angeles. There's a great apartment that he found for Mark that's closer. Mark and Neena will be able to see each other in person more, now."

"That's so sweet," I breathed, clasping my hands beneath my chin.

Over by the doorway, Neena and Mark were laughing, talking quickly, holding hands as they refused to pay attention to the press and other guests watching. I smiled over at Kile and Eadlyn as they faced each other, Eadlyn giving a smile.

"So, how's Bonita?" she asked.

My brother launched into his explanation again, Erik drifting over. Kile and Erik started a conversation too, and pretty soon, we were in the midst of a discussion about Bonita versus Angeles. When Eadlyn and Erik started dancing to a new song, Kile looked at me. "Another dance?"

"Duh," I grinned, already swaying to the beat. "But, Angeles is pretty great."

"Uh-huh," Kile agreed. "But Bonita is very picturesque. And there's so many people there, it makes me feel like I'm doing more than I was here."

I nodded. "Well, when you come back after your banishment is over, you can work here in Angeles, too!" The song pulsed around us, everyone dancing and laughing. I smiled softly. This was a great day. The best April 16th so far. Kile was back, almost finished with his banishment. Eadlyn and Erik were happily together, Marid nowhere in sight. Neena had be reunited with Mark, the two of them clasped in each other's arms. And I was helping out in my own way in the palace now, interning. Everything was in its place.

Then Kile ruined it.

"Actually, Josie..." he took a deep breath, looking me square in my blissful eyes. "I think I'm going to stay in Bonita more."

I froze, my mind churning over his words. What? "You're..." I muttered, blinking confusedly. "You're not coming back?"

Kile tilted his head. "Please understand. I'm really enjoying the work I'm doing in Bonita. I'm helping people, Josie."

My heart thumped quicker than the beat of the music. No. No, that couldn't be true. He was supposed to come back! Could he even not come back, and stay in another province? "B-but, you said-"

"I never said anything," Kile said softly. "The banishment kept me out of the palace, but it never said I had to return."

I hated how he could seem to read my thoughts sometimes, especially now. My hope started deflate like a sad party balloon. Or, maybe shatter, like glass. I hadn't realized how much I'd truly wanted Kile back around until the possibility came that he might not want to be around me as much I wanted him to be.

"There are so many citizens there that need sustainable housing, and they like my architecture," Kile continued, both of us stilled against the dancing crowd. He continued trying to convince me. "There are people there that need me-"

"What about me?" I demanded suddenly, tears pricking my eyes. "Didn't you even think that I've missed you? That Mom and Dad have missed you?"

Kile's gaze softened. "I've missed you all, too. Of course I have. There are so many people there, Josie, so many great individuals that I need to help. The ones that need houses, and the ones that are helping build them."

Through the blurry vision from the gathering tears, I noticed something. His cheeks were tinted pink, just slightly. Annoyance flared up inside me as I swiped at my eyes. "What's her name?"

Kile gawped for a second, not sure how to answer. "What are you talking about?"

"The girl you like, you dork," I sniffed. "You might be staying in Bonita helping to design houses, but there's some girl there that you like, too. Don't even try to deny it."

Kile blushed even deeper, maybe embarrassed that I'd figured him out. "I thought you'd be happy for me, Josie."

That was the last straw. I shifted, and Kile reached out for my wrist, but I ripped away from him, dashing out of the Dining Hall. As I left, I passed Neena and Mark, their backs to me as they talked. That only made the hurt worse. Mark was staying for Neena. Why couldn't my own brother stay for me?

I wasn't quite sure where I was running to, my flats tripping me up now and then. Eventually, though, I passed two guards and emerged out in the gardens. A cool breeze hit me, goosebumps rising on my skin. I sniffled again, looking out around the night scene. The sky sparkled with multi-colored shards of stars, blinking behind wisps. The moon, almost full and silver like the party theme, shone across the grounds. The flowers, sweet-smelling snowball and blue hydrangea, yellow poppies and delicate snapdragons, all swirled by the hedges, peaceful.

I folded my arms, walking along the gravel path, until I found a familiar stone bench and sat down. The seat was cold, but I didn't care. Instead, I let myself cry, covering my mouth as tears ran down my face. How Kile could do that? Leave me and Mom and Dad for some random girl he was chasing and stupid Bonita...

I thought you'd be happy for me, Josie.

The sobs made me shudder, my shoulders shaking. Drips of salt water fell onto my dress, staining it indigo, but it didn't matter. I just felt silly now, oblivious to what was going on in Kile's life. A little part of me wanted to be happy for him, but it's like my brain refused. How in the world could-

"Josie?"

My cries got choked off at the voice, footsteps moving across gravel. I hiccupped, wiping furiously at the tears and my runny nose.

"Josie?" a second voice called.

"Osten, go inside," the first voice responded, one I recognized as Kaden.

I could practically tell Osten was making a face. "Why? I have a right to be out here, ya know!"

Kaden sighed, apparently not finding it worth it to argue with Osten.

Their two sets of footsteps came closer. I looked over at them. "Hey, guys."

Kaden gave a hesitant smile, looking cautious. Osten grinned toothily in contrast.

They were both wearing their suits for the party, navy blue for Kaden and black for Osten. Kaden's hair was fixed, if getting a little mussed by the breeze. Osten's was already tangled and crazy.

"Are you okay?" Kaden asked quietly, shifting his footing uncomfortably. "We saw you run out of the Dining Hall."

"Um... I'm fine," I responded.

Osten frowned. "You're a horrible liar. And you shouldn't lie, by the way."

Kaden fished something from his pocket, pulling out a white hanky. He might be one of the few fifteen year old's I'd met who carried around hankies. "Here," he said, handing it to me.

"Thanks," I muttered, wiping my eyes with the silky cloth. "You guys can go back to the party, I'll be in soon."

They watched me for a moment, the night casting shadows over their faces before Osten frowned even deeper. "Do I need to make a phone call about someone or something?"

Try Kile. "No," I said, attempting a laugh that just sounded pathetic. "Thanks, though. Really, you can go."

"Osten, go," Kaden hissed. "I bet Mom wants another dance with you."

Osten let out a huge sigh before he turned on his heels and left back towards the double doors, distant light spilling from the palace. Kaden's brown eyes flicked over to me for a second before he motioned to the bench. "Can I sit?"

I gave a short laugh. Kaden was also probably the only guy I knew who asked to take a seat. "Sure."

"Thanks," he said, sitting down a little ways from me. We both looked up at the sky for a while, just watching the distant planets. I twisted the hanky around my hands, listening as my breathing evened out slowly.

"I tried to look for the constellations you showed me a few times, but I'm pretty horrible at finding them," Kaden eventually said, his voice quiet.

I squinted at the stars, nodding. "Stargazing takes practice."

"And they change per season," Kaden added. "The ones that were out in September are different from the ones now, in the spring."

I nodded, already searching for the familiar stars. "Well, there's Ursa Major... and Chameleon... and Hydra."

"Ursa Major..." Kaden said, thinking to himself. "The Great Bear. And Hydra, the Sea Serpent."

I gave a shaky smile. "The Chameleon is kind of self-explanatory, I guess."

Kaden chuckled. "Yeah, but it does a great job of hiding - I can't see it."

"Well," I said, shrugging. "It's actually a constellation made of stars that are dimmer. And it doesn't look anything like a chameleon, in my opinion." I lifted my hand, pointing a lilac nail at the stars. There was a collection that looked sort of like a sideways diamond that I traced.

Kaden frowned, his eyebrows knitting. His frustration was obvious, but he kept searching the stars. That was another thing about Kaden. He was incredibly determined, and never seemed to back down from a challenge - or quit anything for that matter. Probably a great quality for an athlete, but stargazing took some patience (I learned that the hard way, coming from someone who doesn't have much patience.)

"Stop trying to rush to find the stars," I told him, making him glance over. "Just look at the sky, concentrate on the constellation, and take your time. If you don't see it, that's okay - it's not like it's leaving anytime soon."

Kaden cracked a little smile before he looked back up at the stars. We sat for about three minutes, Kaden trying to follow where I'd traced a constellation in the sky before his eyebrows rose. "I see it!" He followed the constellation with his eyes, grinning. "It really doesn't look like a chameleon."

"I know, right!" I agreed, shaking my head. "Ursa Major just looks like a monkey to me." I pointed at the sky. "There are lots of points in this constellation so it's simpler to just look for the Big Dipper. Ursa Major contains it, with stars branching off. See it?"

Kaden nodded, his face lighting up. "Yeah! There's the muzzle and limbs and tail." He pointed up at the stars in turn, motioning to the Great Bear.

"And Hydra is pretty easy to see," I continued. "Alpha Hydrae - Alphard - is the really bright star there. It's the Heart of the Snake. The rest of the constellation is kind of like a jagged line."

Kaden nodded. "It's really cool."

My happiness faltered. "Yeah. It's one of Kile's favorites." I glanced down at the hanky, feeling the tears wanting to gather in my eyes, but I swallowed them down, refusing to cry again.

I could feel Kaden staring at me before he piped up. "I saw you two dancing. Today's one of the exceptions in his banishment, right?"

"Right... Well..." I sighed, looking down at the hanky as I twisted it around. "Kile told me that he's going to stay in Bonita... instead of coming back here to the palace." I paused, thinking over my words. I didn't want to mention one of the reasons that he was staying. "Part of why he wants to be in Bonita is because of the architectural work he's doing. He's getting lots of work done there, helping people."

"That's good," Kaden said gently.

I pinched my lips together. "Yeah. Kile's always been like that, selfless and stuff." It seemed almost like a horrible joke, throwing it back in my face how much I hadn't always been selfless and stuff. "I'm happy that he's been doing well but..." I lifted a shoulder. "I expected him to come back to live at the palace, be around me - us, I mean."

"Well, maybe he can visit," Kaden offered, clearly not totally sure what to say.

I shook my head. "It's not the same. You... no offense, Kaden, but you can't really understand."

"Really?" Kaden asked incredulously.

I glanced over at past my curtain of hair.

He raised an eyebrow. "Josie, do you remember Ahren leaving?"

My breath caught in my throat as I realized what a jerk I'd just sounded like. How could I have forgotten? Kaden had it even worse. Ahren didn't given any warning, and left to another country. His family didn't attend the wedding, and, like a rancid cherry on top, Miss America had a heart attack. Plus, the Selection was going on.

Suddenly, Kile leaving to Bonita seemed small. Still, a piece of the anger lingered like a smoldering ember that refused to be snuffed out. "I'm sorry, I should've realized... I'm sorry." I was quiet, watching Kaden's expression melt back to normal.

"It's okay," he whispered, relaxing a little.

"How did you deal with it?" I blurted. "Ahren leaving and everything, I mean."

Kaden looked away quickly, staring at the gravel path, quiet before he spoke. "It was difficult. I mean, he's kind of always been there. And then - poof! Gone. He left us. But, Eadlyn was there. She stayed. It was like everything was crumbling around her, but she chose to stay and help us."

"I remember that," I whispered. It was what impressed me, made me finally see her in a positive light. She wasn't bossy, rude, elitist Princess Eadlyn Schreave anymore. She was a girl willing to marry someone she didn't love just to save her country.

"And I kept busy," Kaden said. "Praying for Ahren, even. I kept Osten close to me. He didn't completely get everything that was going on, and people sort of ignored us and focused on Eadlyn." Kaden was silent before he looked tentatively at me. "I focused on the people that were still around for one thing... You know, the people that maybe you hadn't noticed before..."

"Like Neena," I finished, nodding firmly. Suddenly, I was happy for her and Mark again. Neena had done a lot - she'd earned some happiness.

Kaden frowned, something in his eyes shifting before he looked up at the stars. "Sure. Like Neena. I mean there are always those people around you, you know? The ones that you might not even notice, but are there for you. Right next to you."

"Kile seems a world away," I said quietly before I furrowed my brows. "But... you have a point." I looked up at Alphard, an alpha. "Life goes on. You have to look for those bright ones, the people that make you happy and stick close."

"Even when they have a hard time noticing you at first..." Kaden murmured, looking at Chameleon.

I nodded, the quiet swirling around us like the breeze. "Thank you," I said suddenly, drawing Kaden's attention. "For listening. And being there."

Kaden smiled, shadow drifting over his face. "You're welcome."

Because of the shadow, like ink, I could really only see his eyes glimmering in the faint light. But that was enough to let me see the warmth in them, like no matter how much trouble happened or how many people seemed distant, they would go on burning forever. He didn't falter, looking me in the eye, the determined Kaden I was so used to. My heart constricted, oddly, the urge to grab his hand laying on the bench washing over me.

"Um..." I started, not sure what I was going to say.

"You guys!" a voice called out, thrilled. I moved my head in time to see Osten rounding a poppy bed, grinning widely. "C'mon! They're playing a group dance! You have to come inside to the party!"

For a second, I didn't register what he'd said. I just felt annoyed that he'd interrupted our conversation.

Then I remembered who was in the Dining Hall: Kile.

I glanced over at Kaden, pale moonlight drifting across his face. Kile was one of the people that made me happy. So I guess I'd just hold onto him as long as I could, and when he had to leave, I'd let him go, and keep him in my heart. "Shall we?"

Kaden smiled, standing up. He offered me his elbow, just like Kile had. "After you."

I stood up as well, his hanky in my free hand as I looped my other through his arm. Osten ran ahead of us, whooping, and Kaden walked with me, our gaits matching.

Overhead, the stars shone, the brightest ones fiercest of all.

Like Neena.

Oh, Josie, Josie, Josie... you're timing is impeccable.

Also, Osten. Dude... stop. Just... stop.

Well... this chapter is nearly 6,000 words, so close to double the usual chapter of this story. If you read this whole chapter: HIGH FIVE! You've earned, like, a piece of chocolate cake or something. Definitely a healthy eye break from the digital screen you're staring at.

Thank you for reading this mammoth chapter! I hope you liked it. I have lots of ideas for future chapters, and some are family moments, friendship, fluff, or some other random topic. I want to include Erik more in this story, so I'll need to work on that.

Also, my vacation was very nice, thank you for all the well wishes! :D

Without furthur ado, thanks to our reviewers:

Roses323

Eadlynn

boekenworm

LostAngelx123: I know, RIGHT?! *flips other table* Haha, that would be so funny if the Woodwork Collection was real! Maybe Kiera Cass could start that... Hm... :) Hehe, Josie's such a jokester!

Guest: Aw, thank you so much! You're welcome, that's so kind of you! Haha, they'll kiss eventually, trust me. ;)

AmeValdez

Thanks, guys! I hope you have a week of blessings and joy!

Bye! MWAH!

~Loveableheart

JMJ

P.S. I forgot to mention! A while back, in another chapter, we saw Kaden helping Josie work on some political stuff. That idea was a suggestion from AmeValdez. So, thank you for that!