Chapter Nineteen

                                    

                                          
This text has been translated to a language you can understand
Ezra awoke early the next night, and I woke up to his movements. 
We sat up together for a few minutes, sitting close together with his head on my shoulder. 
Then he gestured for us to leave, and I followed him out of the room. 
We went to a balcony to watch the sun go down, sitting next to each other once again. The air was warm, though the sun's pointed rays were bright to my sensitive eyes, and I found myself looking at Ezra instead of the scenery. 
Are you ready for tonight? I asked him. 
He sighed. I suppose I have to be. 
What are you going to do? 
I'll try to fix things with the Chiros, he said awkwardly. That's what my mom wanted, and what I think the best course of action is. I just hope I don't have to do it all by myself, and with my father watching over me wishing to do it differently. 
You won't be alone, though, I promised, and gently nudged him with my wing. I'll be right here, right by your side. 
His shoulders relaxed, and he turned to look at me gratefully. I couldn't do it without you. You have to tell me if I'm doing something wrong, okay? 
That's my job. I sent him a small smile, and he laughed. 
Look, it's the lovebirds. A voice suddenly cut through the conversation, and we looked up. 
Divana was fluttering through the air nearby, and with a graceful swoop of her wings, she landed on the balcony next to Ezra. 
Ezra's shoulders fell. You know how to fly already? 
My father has been teaching me, she explained with a shrug. I'm also just a fast learner. And Jewel has been helping me perfect my technique; that's what he and I were just doing. 
Ezra seemed to be upset by this idea, but he quickly brushed it off. Oh, you're still spending time with Jewel? 
Divana beamed. A bit. He's very special to me, and I'm very special to him. She paused for a second, taking in Ezra's strained mood, then said, softly, I'm sorry about your mom, primo. Are you going to be the new night monarch? 
Yes... Ezra's tail curled around himself tightly, and his wings gave a little flutter; I wished I could wrap him in a hug right there. Yes, I am. But it doesn't feel right. 
His cousin shrugged again. It's okay, we'll all be there to help you. It'll be great; being a monarch is easy. When I did my test, it was like second nature, I did everything perfectly. And you did good for your test, too. So what is there to worry about? 
Ezra didn't reply to that immediately; he glanced at me blankly instead. 
Divana looked me over as well, tilting her head. ...you know, Ezra. It would probably solve all your problems if Tracey was your mate. You know? With the Chiros? They would be happy if he was a monarch, too. 
A tingle went down my spine, my ears getting hot, and I tried to pretend like I didn't hear her, turning to look out over the darkening sky instead. 
Diva, Ezra immediately gasped, ducking his head in embarrassment. Diva, that's not- that's not allowed. 
Oh yeah? Maybe it can be. If YOU were the night monarch... Divana shrugged. Be like me and Jewel, and just be open about your relationship.