"So he has. It's been able to blow over after enough time and a few conciliatory gestures, but..." She trails off, unhappy with the uneasy compromises that she's made, and that she's been responsible (directly or indirectly) in her brother making.

They all sit uneasily on her.

She tells herself it's worth it to have found some manner of peace. And the need for that is highlighted by Percy's presence here. What position would it put him in if she and Vax were living like Khoriya in the wilderness?

"If I have my way, we'll be able to pick our time to make any kind of public statements."