Almost a month later, and while it was still being rebuilt, Alicante was mostly okay. Both of Zachary's parents had survived the attack, as had both Zachary and Theo, miraculously. He still hadn't told anyone where he and Theo were during the attack. As far as he knew, everyone still thought they'd been in the Accords Hall with the rest of the kids. Theo had gone back to Newark, and now Zachary was dreadfully bored. Theo and he sent frequent fire messages, but today was special.
Today was Theo's fifteenth birthday.
That morning when Zachary woke up, he immediately grabbed a pad of paper and wrote:
Happy Birthday, Hyacinthus! I miss you!
He knew that Theo wasn't awake yet, the time difference between New Jersey and Idris was about six hours, so Zachary got up and headed downstairs.
Zachary was reading when he got a fire message back:
Thank you, I miss you too Apollo
Zachary excitedly wrote back:
I trust your birthday is going well? Also, how is the sword?
Theo's response was almost immediate:
Things are okay, my dad made waffles. They were horrible. And the sword hasn't let me down yet. I'm telling you it's waiting to be called a legendary sword.
Zachary smiled, and responded:
You'll be more known than the sword Hyacinthus. Trust me.
Theo's next note appeared in front of Zachary quickly:
If I'm known for anything, it'll be wielding the sword. Besides, I'm only holding onto it remember? It's a Silverguard sword. You're gonna wield it in battle one day.
Zachary had no intention of taking the sword back from Theo:
You are quite set on the idea of me being a hero, aren't you?
He could picture Theo smiling as he read:
I suppose I am. But you said it yourself, you wanted to be great like the Herondales and Carstairs.
Zachary's handwriting was getting worse as he scribbled:
Those are just dreams Hyacinthus, You and I will probably move into the mountains and die together.
Theo's next message was a question:
What? No kids?
Zachary had never been too keen on kids. They were loud, sticky, and very annoying:
Unless you have the secret to getting pregnant, no.
Theo's response was quick:
We'll adopt.
Zachary laughed out loud:
Children are bothersome, I'll pass.
And they talked like that, all day, and deep into the night as well for Zachary, who stayed up until Theo went to bed.