"Alas, that is yet another law. Some classes are forbidden from ever leaving Aperion. You must always notify the military legal office of your departure and return plans. Otherwise, the Trackers would come for you." She sighs. "Because how could Aperion waste its precious resources?" She rolls her eyes at that.

"I see," I mumble. It seems utterly insane that deities would have so many rules. But I guess it's the whole with great power comes great responsibility spiel.

"Anyway, what I meant to say is that since s’Aperiotes are at the bottom, they're often mistreated. You have to be careful and only go out with me or Cer. You don't want to be mistaken for a s’Aperiote by a minor deity or one of those military pricks. They always like to pick on people," she explains.

"Got it." I nod, though the more I hear, the more I wonder how this could be a godly realm when it's rather ungodly.

Aperion really doesn't seem like a great place so far, despite the lively and bustling ambiance or the beautiful blue skies and the dual suns. If anything, the outside might be pretty, but the inside seems rather rotten. For one, Thea has made her dislike of it quite clear, and it's so sad to see the change in her demeanor now that we're here. Somehow she's more subdued, a sadness underlying even her usual smiles.

"I'm sorry you're stuck here," I whisper as I pat her lightly on her back.

"It's fine." She shrugs. "At least I have my family. I don't know what I'd do without them."

"You're lucky." I smile fondly. "I've seen the way you and Cer care for each other, and I am quite jealous. I'm all alone. I've never had siblings, and I can barely remember my own mother. My husband is all I have."

She takes my hand, giving it a light squeeze as she turns to look at me.

"It's why I want to help you win this. You deserve to know happiness. No matter what Ze says or does, you deserve to win. At least one of us should get a happily ever after," she adds sadly.

"Thank you," I murmur, tears of gratitude stabbing at my eyes. "I really appreciate this, Thea. You're a good friend."

She has a wistful expression on her face as she tips her gaze up to look at the horizon line.

"If only." She sighs, pressing her lips in a tight, sad line. She doesn't say more, but it's enough for me to realize this has something to do with the secret Ze was threatening her with. Considering how many rules there are in their society, her transgression could be very minor and still get her a dire sentence.

The mood changes, and Thea seems lost in thought as we continue walking. Every now and then, I notice her lifting her hand to her face and rubbing moisture out of her eyes.