#Chapter 239 – Gone on Her

“My very lackluster current plan,” Ben continues on a sigh, lifting his eyes to mine, “is to study really hard.” I burst out laughing at this, shaking my head, because he sounds like me in this moment – diving into homework like it’s going to save the world. Ben grins, sensing the direction of my thoughts, but carries on. “I want to become an Atalaxian ambassador fast – a real one. One that your father sends over to Atalaxia as part of a mission. I mean, I want to help end the war, but also being there could…I don’t know, give me a chance to talk to Elias. To learn what he wants and needs, figure out…more of a plan.” I go a little pale at the idea of Ben going to Atalaxia as an ambassador – because it’s already dangerous for any of our countrymen who go over there, but with his sexual identity… “Don’t forbid me, Ariel,” Ben says, again reading my mind, his face softening at my clear worry. “You’d do it too, if Jacks or Luca were on the line.” And as I consider that, I pull in