“Yes. Because without the support of my people, I have no right to wear the crown.” Kalie looked at Mother, who was toying with a ring. “Having a title doesn’t earn me respect.”
Mother raised her thin eyebrows.
Her warning from that day in the solar flitted through Kalie’s mind. Perhaps Mother was thinking of it, too.
She should’ve listened.
Father motioned for a servant to refill his wine. “When do you propose to do this?”
“We’ll strike fast. I don’t want to put my people through a drawn-out war. If we can’t sway the Skyforce bases to stand with us against Iliana, we’ll neutralize the ships. I have a spy in the palace. She could subdue Iliana.” Zane’s eyes narrowed, and Kalie added, “If need be.”
“Attacking an ordained monarch gives the Federation cause to intervene,” Theron said, and Kalie scoffed at the irony. “What will you do when Carik arrives with a fleet?”
“Ideally, we’d have an Etovian fleet in orbit until my warships are back in commission. If Carik brings the fight to us, we’ll strike back with full force. But if he doesn’t…”
Revenge for my family or safety for my people?
Kalie cleared her throat. “If he doesn’t, my court will decide where to go from there.”
Father’s face gave away nothing, and she had nothing more to say. Theron rested his chin on his hand, deep in thought.
“Dali is my birthright,” Mother murmured. “We fought for Renan. We should?—”
“Quiet, woman,” Father growled.
Kalie bristled. Theron tensed beside her, but held his tongue.
Father sighed. “If you can set this plan into action, the Empire’s fleets will support you.”
Her mouth fell open. Eight planets fought under the banner of the Etovian Empire, and Father’s fleets outnumbered any other sovereign in Sector Four. She’d hoped for one fleet, maybe two, but the full weight of the Empire…
Rising to her feet, Kalie bowed. “Thank you, Your Majesties.”
Mother’s lips twitched upwards.
By daring to speak up, Mother had tipped the scales in her favor.Motherhad made this happen.
Pushing back twenty cycles of anger and rejection, Kalie musteredup a smile. Mother didn’t mirror it, but a rare spark of light reached her eyes.
“Father, you can’t seriously mean to go to war for her throne.”
Kalie scowled. Of course Selene wanted to argue.
Father frowned. “I can, and I will. Why does it bother you?”
“Because she’s the fool who lost it in the first place!” Selene cried. Mother laid a hand on her arm, but she flung it aside. “Iliana is backed by the Federation. Our fleets will be crushed by their forces!”
Kalie chewed on her lip as she sank into her seat. She didn’t want to admit it, but Selene was right. Carik had hundreds of planets following him, and even with Father’s support in overthrowing Iliana, it would hardly be enough to hold out against Carik’s strength.
Father folded his arms. “Your sister is not a fool. Nor am I. I’m aware of Carik’s capabilities, Selene, and I will be prepared for them.”
Selene lurched to her feet, flinging her napkin onto the table. “You’re going to risk our safety for her throne? If you get involved, you’ll be bringing Carik’s wrath down on all of us!”
“Enough!” Father’s fist clenched around the stem of his chalice, and his nostrils flared.
Kalie shivered. She’d seen him lose his temper before, usually with Mother. This was how it always started, and it always got ugly.
“I will not have my teenage daughter questioning my decisions. We will fight for Kalista’s throne, regardless of the Federation or whatever obstacles stand in the way. She’s a Hannover, and an attack on her is an attack on us.”
