Two days later, before she even realized it, Storm and her friends were on their way to Tortall. She had expected a delay in getting around the guards and government of Galla. Apparently not. It really didn't matter to her. All that did mattered was that she avoid the market places of Corus as much as possible because Nikolai haunted those places. If she was gonna go anywhere near there, she would have Loya, Taser, Seven or Mikhail with her.

But the chances of having Loya by her side was slim because of the jobs she and Gaunt were always pulling. Taser would probably find some poor sap to adopt for the time being and Seven was always off in one of his thought bubbles.

That's what she loved about him. He was always off and in his thoughts. He was very philosophical and brilliant. He wasn't really an active part of the banditry; he planned all the attacks, but never participated. Storm never asked him to be and she never let anyone try to talk him into it. He was too important to her. He was the little brother she never had. He was the world to her.

Mikhail on the other hand, would jump at the chance to be with her. Misha just loved her too much and she knew it. She felt bad, knowing he loved her and she couldn't return his feelings. She wanted so bad to make that up to him. She even tried to look for someone he could love and be loved back.He never took to any of the girls she brought to him. Granted he did stay with them for a few weeks, being mildly entertained with their "bedroom" expertise. But she never once saw him with one for more than two months.

"A penny for you thoughts?" A quiet voice whispered to her from her left. She glanced over and smiled to her 'brother'.

"If you had a silver noble for every time I said that to you, Seven, you would be one rich bastard." She laughed, rubbing him hand that rested on her arm. "I'm just thinking about Misha."

"Again?" He asked, know the answer already. He sighed.

"I just don't know what to think. I am flattered that he feels so strongly towards me, only I don't think he should be wasting his time on someone who doesn't know how to love." She ranted.

"You know how to love, and you know it. You love me, don't you?" Seven asked, his large brown eyes grew in fear.

"Claro que si, tonto! Tu eres mi hermano!" She answered with a laughed. "I don't know how to love outside of friends and family. Does this make any sense to you? Do you know what I mean? I'm not sure I can love Misha like a man and woman should love one another. I'm not exactly sure if that's even possible for me, a daughter of the DeLegaris line. After all, not a single person in my line ever had a child, they only adopted."

"I know. I think I get you. I just don't see why you can't love Mikhail and have children. I know you feel something for him and he feels something for you. I just know it! I've watched you together. I know you're meant to be!" Seven said with conviction.

"Oy, Siete! You're just a silly boy. I'm never meant to love, and you know it. Let's not talk about this any more." Storm answered, sadly.

"Talk about what?" Misha asked, steering his horse up to the pair.

"Nothing, Misha." Storm answered, giving Seven a look. "Nothing that concerns you in any way. Just a discussion between siblings. Right, Siete?"

"Yeah. I guess so." He answered, dropping back into the group next to Taserlyn. "I just know it!" He hissed in melancholy.