Liam ended the call with his mother only after promising three separate times that Enia could come to Nuria.
Not immediately.
That distinction had required considerably more negotiation.
"As soon as the borders stop resembling the beginning of an international incident," Liam had said.
Enia had not appreciated the wording.
"As soon as things are calm enough that nobody shoots at a diplomatic aircraft," Arik had corrected from beside him.
That had been worse.
Eventually, Liam settled on, "When the political nightmare becomes slightly less of a nightmare."
Enia accepted it only because Mirelle had begun asking whether Nuria required visas.
The call disconnected.
Liam dropped his phone onto the sofa cushion and leaned his head back.
"I survived the Ether Trial."
Arik stretched one arm along the back of the sofa behind him. "You did."
"I survived Felix."
"Yes."
"I survived an imperial coronation."
"Barely."
Liam turned his head.
Arik smiled.
