Page 141 of Fate of the Sun King

He tips a crooked smile. “I had some help.”

“We have some special visitors,” Willow says, and that’s when I notice three more figures that bring a huge grin to my face.

“Halo! Marici!” I squeal, running over and wrapping them into another hug. “What are you doing here?” Behind them stands Callias with his hands stuffed into his pockets.

“We heard a rumor you were in the city, and convinced Gabriel to send a note.”

“Convinced?” I ask.

“Badgered until he had no choice,” Halo says, and I laugh before I look back at Nadir.

“Our notes actually passed one another,” he says. “You said you wanted to see Callias, and when I heard your friends were asking about you, I knew you’d want to see them. I figured there wouldn’t be much harm if we set up a meeting away from the house.”

“We would never tell Atlas,” Halo says. “You know that, Lor.”

“I do know that.” I hug her again.

Callias also wraps me in a hug and then pulls back, searching my face. “So you want me to deal with this?” he asks, and I nod.

“I think so.”

“What’s going on?” Willow asks. “Deal with what?”

“My scar.”

Neither of my siblings says anything for a moment, their gazes meeting and then pulling away. “Did either of you know? Who really caused it?”

Tristan lets out a long breath.

“Lor, you’d convinced yourself it was the result of helping Willow, and that seemed to bring you comfort, so we didn’t correct you.” He exchanges another worried glance with my sister. “I hope you’ll understand we thought it was the best thing to do.”

My lips clamp together as I nod. It was. I can’t blame them for trying to shield me from the shadow of those memories.

“I understand why you did it,” I say, and they both visibly relax. “But now that I know, I want it gone.”

“Of course,” Willow says. “No one ever expected you to keep it.”

“Okay,” I whisper.

“Should we eat first or do it now?” Callias asks. “I’ve brought my supplies, and we can work on it right here. Since it’s the product of magic, it might require a few sessions to erase it completely, but for today, we can make a significant improvement. How does that sound?”

“Perfect. But… food first.”

“I like the sound of that,” he declares, and then Halo and Marici surround me again.

“I’m so glad you’re here. I’ve been dying to see you. You have to tell me everything you’ve been up to since the Trials,” I tell them.

We all take a seat at the table, passing around food and wine. Callias, Marici, and Halo sit across from where I’m sandwiched between Nadir and Willow as they share everything happening in the palace. Mainly, that Apricia continues to be insufferable, especially when Atlas kept delaying the bonding.

“Her hair is completely blonde now,” Halo snorts into her glass.

“I’ve been working full-time trying to make her look like the ‘proper glowing Sun Queen’ while she hurls insults like poisoned arrows,” Callias says, rolling his eyes. “As if the color of her hair is what makes a queen.”

“How about you two?” I ask Halo and Marici. “I’m sorry I couldn’t do anything to help you with Atlas in the end.”

Marici waves a hand. “Atlas has absolutely no interest in any of us. We’re doing just fine.”

My shoulders slump in relief. “I’m so glad. I know it’s not ideal.”