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“Yes, actually, I do.” My stomach churned, but I forced myself to meet each of their eyes in turn. “We will travel directly from this summit to meet with the pirate queen. Our goal is to convince her to ally with us. Regardless of the outcome, we will then take Jamic to the barrier. Without the book, we’re relying on as much power as we can harness. Even if you refuse to join this war in truth, please come with us to the barrier. Help us stop Regner from bringing it down and taking all that power.”
Caliar folded his hands on the table in front of him. “As far as I’m concerned, there are two separate negotiations happening here. We wardens will negotiate with His Majesty, but we’re also negotiating with the hybrid kingdom. And what would an alliance with the hybrid kingdom do for us?” he purred, his gaze flicking to Madinia. “Perhaps the answer is a more formal alliance?”
Madinia stiffened. But she lifted her chin, her expression carefully blank as her eyes met mine.
She would marry the warden if I believed it would help us win this war. She craved her freedom more than anything else, but she would sacrifice it for us.
Of course, she would likely find a way to kill Caliar at the first opportunity, but she would still do it.
I met his gaze. “My people are not, and will never be, part of these negotiations.”
“It seems we are the only ones expected to give something up for these alliances,” Romydan said. “What exactly are you offering, Hybrid Heir?”
Conreth cleared his throat. “Nelayra has been gathering an army of her own—highly trained hybrids from the hybrid camp in our kingdom. She has also been working to undermine the relationship Eryndan has with his son in the hope Rekja will turn on him.”
Thankfully, he’d chosen not to mention that my cousin had taken control of the hybrid army. Although I had no doubt Conreth would use that information at the very moment it could do the most harm.
“So, at this point, you bring almost nothing,” Romydan said. He turned his attention to Lorian. “Here’s my offer—I will give you my army in exchange for your firstborn daughter. I have no doubt any children created by your…union with the hybrid queen will be powerful in their own right. Your daughter will marry my son.”
My entire body went hot, and I reached for the hourglass around my neck. I would kill him. I would—
Lorian let out a laugh. It was low, unamused, and utterly lethal.
Even Conreth flinched.
The cruel, feral gleam in Lorian’s eyes dared anyone to suggest such a thing again.
My heart began to slow. For several long moments, no one spoke. No one even dared look at Lorian—as if afraid to draw his attention.
“As fascinating as this has been, we will return to the subject at hand,” Conreth said. “This is not the first the wardens have heard of this threat. I have sent messages for months. Now is not the time for deliberation. It is the time for action. I will join Lorian and the hybrid heir when it is time to break that barrier. Who else will join me?” A tiny seed of hope took up residence in my chest at Conreth’s public support.
“I will.” Thorn’s voice was low but steady. The seed bloomed. Her power was crucial.
“I will not,” Caliar said.
Conreth leveled him with an icy look. “While the laws state you have the right to determine the future of your own territory, those territories still fall in my lands. If you choose not to join this war, so be it. However, the fae who are currently guarding your borders will be moved to the front, where they can be useful.”
Caliar’s mouth fell open. “You would leave us to die?”
Conreth’s face stayed blank. “According to everything you’ve said here today, you don’t truly believe Regner presents a threat. Since you haven’t found it necessary to reinforce our wards, you will deal with whatever consequences come from that choice.”
Caliar bared his teeth. “You’re making a mistake, Your Majesty.”
Conreth ignored him. “Who else?”
“I will join you,” Romydan said.
I jolted. After everything he’d said so far, I would never have expected him to agree.
Conreth merely nodded, but I kept my gaze on Romydan. He was looking at Thorn, who gave him a single, heated glance back.
“I will not,” Verdion said.
On my left, Marth tensed. Next to him, Rythos let out a bitter laugh. “You’re a fucking coward.”
Verdion slowly got to his feet. “Excuse me?”
“Did you even take this to your council?” Rythos asked.
