“We shouldn’t eat here.” Hazeel said to Leo and Vanessa as they were about to take a bite of the famed ‘Lover’s Pan’ bread that existed in the capital.

They had gone on to explore the city after departing from the town square, and were only two hours out from their planned meeting with Eina.

Their meandering had brought them to a popular shop, which was rife with couples. Needless to say, most people around them stared when the three of them shared a milkshake, but it didn’t bother them one bit.

Unfortunately, talking about sensitive material in a public venue like this wasn’t a smart idea, and they knew that. Leo frowned and put down the bread, which seemed to upset Vanessa.

Hazeel instantly began pouting, “Besides that, you should give me some as well. The three of us came here together, not just you two love birds.”

“Sorry, Hazeel.” Leo reached a hand up, and Hazeel bent down so she could receive an affectionate pet on the head.

Several men coughed and sputtered at the sight, but the wood elf was already used to people mistaking her love for Leo as the behaviour of a predatory adult on a child. Leo caressed her cheek, but was interrupted by Vanessa pulling him away.

“Ok, you two. You can’t stay in your own little world forever.” Hazeel wanted to sigh, but she knew that Vanessa was right. Dantae snapped her fingers, and the three of them disappeared from the bakery, inadvertently throwing it into chaos.

They reappeared in the room with a single bed that they shared. Leo set down their previous purchase, while Hazeel began to use her earth magic to set up a sound barrier. Meanwhile, Vanessa glomped on to Leo just to bask in his presence.

Hazeel had seriously underestimated how clingy the woman would be once she regained her memories. Was it due to the memories of her violation, or did the lack of her soulmate during the past three months just make her that lonely?

“Thanks, Hazeel. I honestly don’t know what we’d do if we didn’t have your magic.” Hazeel blushed from Leo’s sudden praise, and quickly sat down on the bed to calm herself.

Calm down, you horny wood elf! You’ve been all over him on the road, at least calm down when you actually have business to discuss that pertains to their safety.

She took a deep breath, and motioned for them to also take a seat. Leo did so across from the wood elf, but Vanessa swung her head around to Hazeel and placed it on her lap. Meanwhile, her lower half was resting on Leo’s side of the bed.

“So, Haze, what was so important that we needed to leave immediately?” Vanessa muttered into Hazeel’s thigh, but the tickling sensation and the use of her nickname made her smile. It reminded her that she had friends now, not just allies.

“I needed to tell you the truth about Eina before we meet with her again. You realized that yesterday she didn’t seem the most stable, right? Well, there’s a reason for that.”

The two humans in the room looked at each other before returning their gazes to Hazeel’s figure. She smiled at their patience with her, then began her story.

---

“It all began after we formed the original Coat of Arms. Jane was the tenth member we accepted, and was the first diviner that we added to the group.”

Leo nodded, no doubt recounting his own experiences with Jane’s fortune telling. Hazeel continued, “When she came into the fold, it helped us turn the tides in the war with the Golden Continent and repel their forces. I told you of my story before. The entire reason we were able to stand a chance against the overwhelming force of their fleet in the first place was due to Jane’s readings.”

She shook her head, her new earrings Leo had bought for her that morning clinking against each other. They were orbs that were sapphire in color, of which she had three in each of her pointed ears.

“Unfortunately, that was when a dangerous problem began. Not long after the war, the Coat of Arms was left without a purpose.” Her lip quivered, and she took a deep breath as she continued, “With no fighting to be done and the continent experiencing a boom period, we struggled to find ourselves in the aftermath.”

Vanessa put a hand on Hazeel’s thigh, which the wood elf placed her own hand over. She smiled, “Thanks Vanessa, but I’m fine now.”

“Anyway Jane was one of the few who returned to her home instead of the capital, in an effort to keep her family affairs away from prying eyes. Unfortunately, that didn’t deter Eina from stalking Jane.”

“She was captivated and pursued the power which single handedly turned the war around for us. Unfortunately, she didn’t want to use it for the greater good. She was caught up in amassing power to take over the throne, and mold the vulnerable Azure Continent to her liking.”

Vanessa sat up and leaned into Leo’s lap. “So how did she get all the way over here then?”

Hazeel took a deep breath and shook her head. “Well, we caught her and deported her from the country. Even if you’re someone as powerful as she is, specializing in darkness magic as she does, in a one on nine fight against the other Coats, she didn’t stand a chance.”

“We gave her an ultimatum, since she threatened harm against both the country and Jane herself.” Hazeel continued. “Either leave the country of her own volition, and find work elsewhere, or be imprisoned for fifty years, equal to the crimes she committed, minus the death penalty.”

“So she chose escaping, then.” Leo spoke calmly. He raised his hand to his chin and rubbed it. “So you’re afraid that since you met her again, she’s in the middle of another power plot, is that it?”

Hazeel nodded, and smiled. “Spot on, as usual Leo.” She leaned in to kiss him, but a fruity smell entered her nose, and her eyes widened as she realized that she kissed Vanessa’s cheek instead.

“You’re a jealous one, aren’t you.” Hazeel said, eyeing Dantae up and down.

The woman shrugged and said, “What can I say. I’m starved for affection.” Hazeel rolled her eyes, and looked at Leo pleadingly.

He smiled, and said, “Don’t worry. Once this whole thing with Rexir’s competition and Eina’s ordeal are over, I’ll make sure to reward you.”

Hazeel’s heart throbbed as Leo leaned in and kissed her neck. “Unfortunately, that’s all we have time for." He cut her joy short with a few curt words. "Eina should be waiting for us downstairs.”