The corrupted Sunforge of Lux Aurea cast a dark aura across the horizon even in full daylight.

Despite Katolis and Xadia's tentative bond, still being forged and tested in the heat of chafing worlds trying to get along, Ezran hadn't spent much time with Queen Janai. Katolis had its own problems, problems that still weren't smoothed over in the wake of the war. Being king had meant being more tied to the throne than most people realized. Opeli was great at keeping things running- but the longer he was away, the more exclusively royal business he had to attend to.

He wished he was coming to the encampment under better terms.

However, there was more hope to be found than even he'd been optimistically expecting.

"After how Zubeia's visit was received, I was a bit worried about how things were going here on the Xadian side," he admitted, his horse walking in step beside Gren. Ezran hadn't thought he and Callum were exceptional people- surely elves and humans could figure out living together again, right? As he watched both humans and elves talk and work together with the same familiarity as anyone back home would out on the streets, he was relieved.

He was less relieved to see that everyone was existing in a sort of limbo- not surrendering to the idea that Lux Aurea was lost forever, but living together temporarily, as if either side could consider packing up and leaving for a new home at any time.

"There's been ups and downs, but I think it's settled quite well!" Gren' familiar face and voice was welcome after the trails of the Pentarchy meeting. Gren's cheer had Ezran smiling as Gren continued, "I'm sorry we haven't been involved much with things back home. I hope you've been alright, King Ezran."

Ezran glanced back at Rayla, Soren, and Corvus. "I've had a lot of help." Buttermilk shook his mane and Ezran patted him. "Yes, from you too. We recently had a Pentarchy Summit. There was… a sixth guest."

Gren frowned. "I see."

Rayla leaned forward on her shadowpaw. "You've been Startouch Elf-free around here, right?"

"You really can't miss him," said Soren. "He's like seven feet tall, purple, glows in the dark, and dramatically crashes meetings with light shows."

"Right," said Gren. "We haven't seen anyone like that, or Viren and Claudia. Wherever they are, it isn't around here. I'm glad to say Queen Janai and General Amaya are expecting you- forgive the mess," he said as Ezran and the others dismounted, following him into the main tent. "Wedding planning is a very involved process."

Flowers of every hue of sunset were set around the tent, vases set next to different colors of cloth, experimenting with how the colors complimented each other. Queen Janai and Amaya stood in the middle of the room, engaged in a conversation with a woman holding a tray of ribbons.

The moment Amaya spotted Ezran, she ran right for him.

"Aunt Amaya!" Ezran's heart soared- as did his whole body as she picked up up in her hug. He grinned once she set him down, signing as he spoke. "It's so good to see you! Congratulations, by the way."

"Thank you." Amaya signed as Gren spoke, Gren off to the side and within Amaya's sight to sign when anyone else spoke. "It's been too long since we last saw each other, but it seems you aren't here on a social visit."

"We aren't," confirmed Corvus. "I'm sorry that it's a bit of a bad time, but it can't wait."

Janai sighed, lips twitched upwards in a hint of a smile. "Must be bad news, then. We can sit and talk- ribbon choosing will have to be put on pause. I'll call for someone to bring us some tea as well."

As the wedding planner left, Amaya lightly elbowed Janai with a smile. "With your powers of decision making, she would've been standing there until nightfall."

"They're all gorgeous," protested Janai.

Everyone found a seat around a low table, the table also adorned with a vase of flowers. An attendant brought them a tray with tea and utensils to go around, pouring for everyone as they conversed. "So," said Janai, stirring sugar into her tea. "We've heard about Aaravos's escape within a few days of it happening. He seemed to have caused a few storms and tidal waves on the edges of the Sea of the Castout, but reports have said little else. Queen Zubeia briefly told us that he was a threat, and an ancient one at that, but she's been busy trying to rally her fellow dragons in the meantime."

"We could really use more of what Zubeia knows," admitted Ezran. "Right now, Aaravos seems to be somewhere in the human kingdoms. We saw him ourselves when he came to Katolis castle with Callum, Viren, and Claudia."

Amaya's eyes widened with alarm. "Callum's with Aaravos?!"

"Yes." Ezran sighed. "Callum went with him to try and keep the rest of us safe."

Rayla shifted in her seat. "We got a couple minutes to talk and he didn't seem under a spell, but he was also convinced that Aaravos was someone he could reason with. He also said that Viren's changed- something I have trouble buying."

Soren almost dropped his teacup as he fumbled with it, ears red. "Yeah. Viren's… something."

"He knows how to manipulate," asserted Amaya. "Callum knows this better than most anyone, so why?"

Janai exchanged a glance with Amaya. Amaya held her hand. "I've been having dreams," said Janai. "A Startouch Elf looms over me, and I'm in the exact place where Khessa died. He leans in, whispers something, and I die. Over and over. It has to be Aaravos." She put on a brave face, but Amaya still squeezed her hand. "I doubt they're meaningless. I also don't know what to do about them except to assume they're a warning."

"Why is he waiting so long?" wondered Amaya. "If he was out to harm us, he's had all this time. Now we've been warned and can prepare."

"That's just the thing," said Ezran. "Aaravos came to the Pentarchy meeting. He made it sound as though he was trying to be an ally to humanity. All he said he wanted was to be able to live out in the open, freely, with his family. He said he would leave us all alone as long as none of us betrayed him." Ezran didn't like thinking about if Callum was a part of that family or not. Could Callum be both of their families, Ezran's and Aaravos's, or would he have to choose? The possible result of that choice made Ezran feel so horrible he pushed on. "Aaravos even promised to fix the Sunforge."

Janai raised her eyebrows. "That's impossible. Although, if anyone did know how to fix it, it would be the person who ruined it in the first place."

"How heroic," commented Amaya, scornful. "He creates a problem just so he can show how noble he is by solving it. No wonder Viren gets along with him."

Ezran sipped his tea, anxiously swinging his legs. "Aaravos seems to want to earn our trust. My trust specifically. I think he actually will try to cure the Sunforge, but I don't know what he'll want afterwards. I'm not sure I can trust him, even if Callum does."

Janai folded her hands, expression solemn. Ezran felt exactly how she looked. She focused on the flowers in front of them, eventually sagging her shoulders but standing up, resigned. "Our wedding will have to wait. We should gather our forces and make sure they're on guard. There's not much else to do- we can't get close to Lux Aurea as it is, even if Aaravos is crazy enough to make that his next stop. We'll have to be ready for him on standby."

Gren nodded his approval, noting her order.

Rayla didn't feel much better, since all of them were still in the same position of not being able to do anything. "It's all we got."

"Kind of a shame," said Soren. He picked up a flower and felt its orange petals. "All this work put in, and we have to halt it. I bet it would've been the biggest party I'd ever get to see. All the humans, elves, and dragons together at once! I mean, within reason, but still. Can you imagine?! I wouldn't miss it for anything."

Amaya gasped.

She tapped Janai on the shoulder, signing fast as Gren talked. "We could still have the wedding."

"What?" Janai frowned. "I want it as much as you do, but I don't think this is the right time anymore."

"Like Soren said- it'll be the biggest party Xadia has seen in a milenia. The border is open and dignitaries from every country will attend. Don't you see?" Amaya grinned. "Aaravos couldn't stop himself from attending the Pentarchy. I bet he wouldn't be able to resist this."

Ezran almost coughed on his tea. "What? You want to lure him here?"

Corvus tapped his fingers as he thought. "General Amaya has a point, but it seems dangerous."

"We're already in danger," pointed out Rayla. She looked at Amaya, mind racing. "Right now, we have no idea where he is or what he's doing. He swept in and out of the castle like he owned the place. If we can be the ones to plan the meeting, it'll happen on our own terms."

Janai pondered it. "This sounds… suspiciously like a trap. But I don't know who would be trapped with who in this situation. Besides, are you okay with using our wedding for this?" She spoke empathetically, gaze on Amaya. "I want our wedding to be about us. What if something terrible happens?"

"Two weddings?" suggested Amaya.

Janai breathed out a laugh. "I hope it doesn't come to that."

Ezran thought about how Aaravos had acted at the Pentarchy. "He was civil and kept his word when he was at the Pentarchy summit. It might actually go okay… or it could be really bad."

"We'll have Zubeia and hopefully Rex Igneous here at least, along with all of our troops," pointed out Amaya. "If he tries something, we'll be the most ready we could ever be."

Soren hummed. "You think he'd maybe attend as a regular guest?"

"Definitely not regular," corrected Ezran, exchanging a smile with Soren. "But you're right… he loves attention and being around people. If he keeps his word, he won't start a fight unless we do first. If everyone is invited, including him- I mean, it might be our best shot at being able to talk to him."

"Callum will be there too, then," said Rayla, and she suddenly felt her throat get tight.

Amaya's expression softened and she nodded.

Janai continued, "I don't like the idea of endangering people, or of having to see him at our wedding, but if he's the sort of threat we think he is, then you're right. It's worse not knowing where he is and being caught unaware. Perhaps we can even collectively call a truce for that day, if he agrees. One day to see if this world is big enough for all of us."

"One day for us to make our future," agreed Amaya.

"He may sneak in, if he decides to be smart," commented Corvus. "I mean, it doesn't seem his style to go in disguise, but if people saw Viren walking around, they'd panic."

Janai smiled. "I have just the thing for that kind of trickery. Don't worry."

"Well then," said Gren. "I'll go ask after those ribbons."

Rayla and Ezran exchanged a glance. She smiled. "Yeah, let's help too. We'll need to get invitations and the word out everywhere."

-BREAK-

Soren hadn't felt okay for… well he would have said about a week, since seeing his dad again, but when he really thought about it it was much longer.

Let's stick with a week.

"Heavy boxes? Anybody got any really heavy boxes?" asked Soren, flexing as a Sunfire elf walked by him. He'd needed to get away as fast as possible and hadn't looked back, hoping someone would give him an escape. "Maybe a couch to move? You know, one of those awkwardly shaped ones that you can barely get in a doorway? I love a challenge."

Corvus watched as Soren tried to keep busy, spouting nonsense in the middle of the road. He shook his head, just to himself. "I don't have boxes, but I have something else."

Soren lit up once he caught Corvus's eye. Sure, they were technically dating, he guessed- but they hadn't had their date yet. Did that mean they were pre dating? Hmm. "Let me guess," said Soren grinning as he guessed wrong on purpose. "It's a giant aquarium for keeping turtleducks in."

"Sorry to disappoint you." Corvus was sometimes difficult to read, but Soren had come to realize over time that he seemed to tolerate, if not be fond of, his antics. "I think there's something you'll like to see. A bit of a ways from here."

"Lead the way!"

Whatever it was, Soren could use a distraction from trying to find a distraction.

They walked in step out of the city, right for the forest. Soren took a deep breath, already relaxed. All the talk of Aaravos, the big wedding, potential impending doom- it got to him. It didn't change anything, whether he was standing in a tent or out under the sky, but he had to admit it felt good to pretend he could walk away from some of his problems.

The trail through the forest was a well worn one, packed dirt smoothed over easy bumps in the road, hinting of tree roots under their feet. Soren looked up as they walked, watching as the foliage above them seemed to shift, the greens becoming more yellow, and from yellow to orange and a fiery red.

"Woah." Soren was still looking up as they stepped into a small clearing of all red trees, branches stunningly full of pink flowers.

"They look like autumn all year," said Corvus. "The flowers bloom late, which is why we get to see them now. Xadia never runs out of surprises for us."

Soren smiled. "Yeah."

Silence stretched on and Soren wondered if he should fill it just out of habit. Thankfully, Corvus beat him to it.

"Soren… I like hearing you laugh and seeing you smile."

Soren's face flushed. "Oh. Um. Wow, thank you."

"I wasn't finished," said Corvus. He faced Soren, sighing. It was difficult to make eye contact, but he tried anyway, placing the words just right. "It's who you are, no matter what's happening, no matter how you're feeling. You do it enough for both of us, which is part of why I'm so… drawn to you."

"Genuinely one of the nicest things anyone's ever said to me."

"But you don't have to be like that for me to care about you."

Soren rubbed the back of his head. "Uh…"

"Listen. I know I've sort of said it before, but it's fine to not feel great right now." Corvus laid a hand on Soren's shoulder. "You're upset. You don't have to pretend with me."

Geez, and he managed to fool everyone else. At least, Soren thought he did. If he wasn't fooling them, he hoped the others all kept it to themselves. "What's the giveaway, huh? I mean, I like being happy and all that. Where's the slip up?"

"I've always had an eye for the subtle things." Corvus folded his arms. "That, and we've had this kind of talk before. I just don't think I got through to you, which is why I brought you here."

Soren looked around. "It's really pretty, but-"

"What's the ugliest, most awful, least palatable, shameful thing you're feeling right now? About anything. About Viren."

He hadn't even realized it himself, but Corvus's prompting drew it out of Soren before he could think.

"Dad had always wanted a mage."

The air seemed heavy. Soren kept talking.

"I used to be so jealous of Callum. He and King Harrow had room to get closer, but even with that gap, Callum never had to fight for the king's attention or affection. Now, he's got my dad too. I know that's bad- I doubt he's enjoying Viren's company that much, but if he is? If I'm replaceable just like that? I know it's probably not like that, but I think about Callum running off and going with my dad and hanging out with Claudia and Aaravos, the thing I had to turn away from, all the family I had left, and it's totally fine for him!

"But you know what's worse? I hate feeling jealous. I hate wanting my dad's attention. I kept telling myself that I was done with him, and it didn't matter, but last time I saw him I wanted to believe him so badly and I couldn't but I wanted to. He still has a hold on me, and I want it to stop! It was so much easier when he was dead! I don't want to care!"

Soren stopped, hands in his hair, catching his breath.

"You wouldn't be Soren if you didn't care."

Corvus was closer than Soren remembered him being. Huh. Soren stared, knowing he looked like a mess, letting Corvus continue.

"I've seen you at your worst, Soren. I remember that night Pyrrah set the town on fire after you aggravated her. I'd told you to knock it off, to not start something you couldn't finish."

"You were right," said Soren glumly.

"You made a mistake and you learned from it." Corvus insisted further, "Your top priority once you'd realized what you'd done was the safety of the townspeople. You had a prideful, obnoxious, stubborn streak, but you could do the right thing."

Soren looked away, eyes down. Corvus took the silence and spoke more.

"I don't expect anyone to be perfect. We're all going to make mistakes, but you showed you could come back from them. Even then." He took Soren's hand. "And now, you think you're a bad person because you feel things you don't want to? Because things hurt you like they would anyone else? It's on him for how he treated you, and you are not guilty for wishing it had been different, or for having whatever feelings you have.

"So you'll sort through this, and you'll care because you're you. I just… don't want you to lose that part of yourself. The best part."

The Soren part.

Soren swallowed hard. He rubbed at his eyes. "I'd like to make some kinda allergies comment, but after that I should keep it real and admit that I'm crying."

Corvus wordlessly hugged him. Soren rested his cheek on Corvus's shoulder, sniffling. He hugged Corvus back, fully giving in. "Please say something really personal and vulnerable about yourself to even this out," requested Soren.

"Ha. Okay." Corvus thought for a moment, keeping Soren in his arms.

"I was always a bit of a loner, even before joining the Standing Battalion. You know I prefer camping outside, being out in the forest. Even as a child, I spent a lot of time alone. It seemed safe. I guess I've found out that even though I thought that was what I'd always want… I've realized that letting people into my life, like General Amaya, King Ezran, and you has made me actually happy rather than just going through motions. Some small things between people that you don't think are risks… they feel like risks to me, but I've gotten better at taking them anyway."

Soren pulled back slightly, eyelids puffy but blue eyes clear, open curiosity on his face as he asked a question he already knew the answer to. "What kind of risks?"

The world seemed to hold its breath for one moment.

Corvus kissed Soren.

A hand on his cheek, fingertips resting in his hair, he took in every subtlety of their lips and breaths together, both of their eyes falling closed in the warm bliss of it.