cascade | kotlc

17. Freefalling

 "Why would we be exiled?" Sophie demanded, standing to face the Councillors. It was a shame June couldn't stand up yet. Her muscles still cramped painfully each time pressure was applied on them.

Bronte pointed to Silveny's prone form. "Look what you've done to the alicorn -- do I need to remind you how important she is?"

June raised an eyebrow. "She doesn't like it when people point at her. You wouldn't want to make her mad, do you?" He flinched, clearly remembering the incident.

"Besides, the cloaked guys did that, not us!" Keefe shouted.

"Yes, and the only reason they had the chance is because you took the alicorn away from the safety of her pen and the protections we'd put in place, and brought her somewhere incredibly dangerous," Bronte snapped back. "Do you have any idea what chaos it will cause if we have to inform the populace that the rebels struck again, this time injuring the only creature who can reset the timeline?"

"You promised the people Silveny will be swooping around the Sanctuary in around a week, at the next eclipse," June said. "Which means the public will realize something's wrong with her."

"Yes! We'll be-"

"No," she interrupted. "Sophie has developed a new ability that will guarantee a spectacle that does not require Silveny flying. Would that solve all issues?"

Emery closed his eyes. "That would, yes. If it truly is a spectacle."

Sophie glanced at her. Are you sure you know what you're doing?

Of course, sister. You can teleport, can you not?

"We will put on a spectacle with Silveny that I promise will be grander than whatever you're imagining right now. Which would mean there's no reason to tell the public about Silveny's injury, which would mean there's no cause for Exile, especially since Sophie has just also developed the power to heal broken minds."

-

June stared at the glittering mansion of Everglen. She couldn't wait to sprint at Fitz and crush him and also probably make out in front of all twelve Councillors and she didn't care, it was so nice to finally see him happy again. She'd really missed him. As much as Sophie was a great sister, Fitz was still her boyfriend.

She was walking with Sophie, her parents flanking her sides, and she squeezed her hand as she stumbled forward.

"Remember," Grady said quietly, "all you can do is try your best."

Della opened the door to greet them.

She looked like Della again, her piercing eyes sharp and clear and a hint of color in her cheeks. Fitz and Biana flanked each sider of her, and finally Fitz was Fitz again, his teal eyes sparkling under the glittering sunlight. He was her boyfriend that she loved, she loved him, and she couldn't hold it in anymore. Her mind erupted with happiness as she threw herself onto Fitz and Fitz hugged back, and they crashed onto the ground and rolled and tumbled just like how she had during the fight, but she didn't care, she didn't care as she pressed her lips to his and he kissed back, and she was melting in bliss. She didn't care about how her family and his family and the Council were watching, she was living life on the edge and this was how she liked it. She wasn't hanging onto the cliff anymore, desperate to stay above. She was falling, falling free, and falling felt like flying until the ground hit, and fortunately the ground was very, very far away.

-

Are you ready for this? Sophie transmitted to her as she stroked Silveny's shimmering nose.