A chill swept through her, half empowering and half cold with the possibility that he was willing to start a new war. The idea of standing up against the Steels seemed like certain death. She agreed the situation was unfair, but she’d never considered actually doing something about it. How could she, when she’d spent her whole life simply trying to survive the unfairness?

You just have to decide what’s important to you, and put your mind to it entirely. His words came back once more. Teo had always seemed so steadfast in his sole goal of protecting his mother, so much so that she feared he might forget about himself. But now that he was alone, he envisioned some new purpose, and it was something she couldn’t imagine for herself yet—perhaps not ever.

But maybe Teo just needed assurance from her, for now. He’d given her all of his dedication. He deserved some of hers.

“We will,” she said, in a voice so quiet, she wasn’t sure if anyone heard her.

“I agree,” Raurie suddenly said, the certainty in her voice breaking the silence. “My whole family suffered because of them. I can’t be afraid of them anymore. If I want to honor my parents who died for their religion, and my aunt who risks her life every day to help anyone who comes to her, then I need to stand up instead of hide.”

“I know a good place to start,” Ryuu said from where he leaned against a bookshelf. “We find my brother and figure out what he learned about our parents’ deaths.”

“You’re right, let’s start there,” Aina agreed. This was something she could focus on; something that wasn’t confusing. “We should all rest tonight, though. Is there a room available for Raurie?”

He nodded. “Of course. I’ll have guest rooms set up for you both.”

But she was already shaking her head. “I’ll be fine here.”

Once she and Teo were alone, she moved to sit next to him. The room grew so quiet, she heard each press of her fingers on the divan as she placed her hands down.

“I still feel like it’s my fault…”

“I’ve always agreed to help with this job,” he interrupted, shaking his head. “I meant what I said about wanting to fight the Steels, but we’ll finish this job first. I’m not going to let your life continue to be in danger when I can do something about it. I said I’ll be there for you, and I always will be.”

She opened her mouth again to argue, but he reached over and pulled her into a hug before she could say anything else. When he pulled away, she wiped away the tears that had built up, and saw that he did the same.

“Ryuu tried to pay me for helping him, though, saying I’d done enough,” Teo said in a strained voice, then nodded toward the bookcase. “When he went to get you, I stuffed the money between the books on the middle shelf so he can find it later. I don’t want to take his money for this.”