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Beneath the table, Prisca’s hand had fisted. I sat, taking her hand once more.
Prisca gave Conreth a smile. As much as I wanted to rip out his throat, she could handle this. She was handling this. And pride burned through me until all I wanted to do was bury my hand in her hair and kiss her until she let out that tiny sound I adored.
“I’m glad you agree,” Prisca said. “We will be moving children and elders, along with the weak and sick, out of the hybrid camp. Those who have been training all these years are eager to fight, and they will be moving from the hybrid camp as well. Approximately seven thousand of them are willing and able to meet Regner’s forces.”
Conreth’s eyes met mine. I just lifted one eyebrow. No, I hadn’t told him of these plans.
“Fifteen thousand,” I said.
Prisca frowned, and I smiled at her before turning back to my brother. “Prisca was unhappy to see the distrust between our people when she visited the hybrid camp. So, the sleeping arrangements were changed. Hybrids and fae have been living together, fighting together, and competing in mixed groups. They’ve traveled from the camp to conduct various tasks within Eprotha, and hundreds of civilian fae have traveled from elsewhere across the fae lands to train as well. According to Heydrin, they have vowed to fight shoulder to shoulder with the hybrids.”
Prisca’s hand shook. I knew she hadn’t dared hope for this. Bringing her hand to my lips, I pressed a kiss to her knuckles.
“You’ve been communicating with Heydrin,” Conreth said tonelessly.
I shrugged. I knew my brother, and I knew he would enforce the Boundary of Blood when I left. Which meant I had nothing left to lose. The fact that I’d received messages from his general was just one more reason for him to distrust me. No matter that I had spent decades communicating directly with Heydrin before this.
Emara reached for Conreth’s hand. He allowed it. “The fact is, we are all in this war, whether we like it or not,” she said softly. “Tomorrow, we must put aside our own issues and present a united force. We need their ships. Their soldiers. Their power. Without the wardens’ cooperation, we will lose this war.” Her voice tightened. “Can you do this?”
Prisca nodded. Grinding my teeth, I gave a sharp nod. Conreth released Emara’s hand and slowly got to his feet. Meeting my eyes, he nodded. With one last glance at Prisca, he turned and stalked from the room.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
The next morning, I paced our bedroom, stomach roiling, chest tight. My gown flowed around my feet—a dark purple. The bodice was intricately embroidered with pearls, and I wore the emerald necklace Lorian had gifted me while we were visiting Eryndan’s court. Telean had kept the jewels safe for me. She’d advised me to wear the diadem, but I’d refused.
My aunt had sighed, but hadn’t argued, handing me a message from Vicer instead.
Prisca
I’d hoped to be with you all by now, to help with your upcoming plans. I know you wanted me back, but I think I’m finally making some progress here. I am, however, attempting to get some more help to you in time.
-Vicer
I’d shaken my head, handing the message back to Telean. She’d scanned it and sighed. “That boy places too much hope in the wrong places.”
She wasn’t wrong.
Lorian had come to bed late last night after meeting with several officials. When he’d wrapped his arms around me, I’d woken from a strange dream, inhaled his scent, and held him tight, whispering with him until the early hours of the morning.
This summit would determine our exact response to Regner. Even knowing how important it was, I was eager to get to Daharak, and even more eager to bring down the barrier.
The longer we waited, the more time Regner had to make his plans. And those plans always involved blood and death.
Someone knocked on the door. Crossing the room, I opened it, finding Jamic waiting. His eyes met mine. “Madinia told me you wanted to see me.”
I stepped aside, opening the door wider. “I was going to come to you. I just wanted to make sure you were feeling all right before I visited.”
He nodded. “I’m fine.”
I awkwardly held the door open until he finally strode inside.
“I’m sorry about what happened. With the healer,” I said. “We promised to keep you safe.”
“You did. Madinia killed him.”
I nodded. “Listen, Jamic, I want to be clear. We would like you to help us take down the barrier. But it’s going to be exceptionally dangerous, especially for you. If Regner manages to get to you, he’ll kill you right there. We’ll do everything we can to protect you, but the truth is, it may not be enough.”
His eyebrow quirked. “What are you saying?”
