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Bryce kept her gaze on the Ocean Queen as she said, “We need to head to Avallen.”
“Why?” the Ocean Queen demanded. A tsunami roared in her tone.
“There’s some research I need to do in its archives that might help our cause.” It was at least partially the truth. “About the First Wars and Hel’s involvement.”
Okay, the last part was a lie. But she wasn’t about to explain what she really needed on the mist-shrouded isle.
The Ocean Queen drawled, “I don’t recall becoming a ferry service. Do you assume my city-ship is at your disposal?”
“Do you want to win this war or not?”
Shock rippled through the room at her words. Hunt tensed, readying for a physical confrontation.
But Bryce blazed with starlight as she said, “Look, I know nothing is free. But for fuck’s sake, let’s talk plainly. Name your price. You’ve gone out of your way to try to help people for years, working toward bringing down the Asteri. So why are you making things more difficult when we finally have a chance at beating them?”
“This is becoming tedious,” the Ocean Queen said. “I did not come here to be ordered about by an impostor queen.”
“Call me what you want,” Bryce said, “but the longer we don’t act, the easier it will be for Rigelus and the rest of the Asteri to move against us.”
“Everything seems urgent to the young.”
“Yeah, I get that, but—”
“I was not done speaking.”
Bryce hid her wince as the Ocean Queen surveyed her. “You are young. And idealistic. And inexperienced.”
“Don’t forget ill qualified and always inappropriately dressed.”
The female cut her a warning glare. Bryce held up her hands in mock surrender.
The Ocean Queen loosed a long breath. “I do not know you, Bryce Danaan, and so far have seen little to recommend you as a reliable ally. My people have managed to evade the Asteri’s influence for millennia now—to remain safe down here, fighting against them as best we can. And yet you have informed me that even here, we are not untouched. Even here, in my domain, the Asteri’s parasite infects us all.”
“I’m sorry to have been the bearer of bad news,” Bryce said, “but would you rather I had kept it from you?”
“Honestly? I don’t know.” The Ocean Queen studied her hand—a banded sea krait twined around her wrist like a living black-and-white bracelet. Poisonous as Hel. The ruler said quietly, “Have you thought about an evacuation?”
Bryce started. “To where? There’s nowhere on Midgard, except maybe this ship, that isn’t under their control.” Avallen was apparently shielded by its mists, yes, but King Morven still bowed to the Asteri.
The queen lifted her head. “To the home world of the Fae.”
Hunt shifted, wings rustling. “You mean leave this planet completely?”
The Ocean Queen didn’t take her eyes from Bryce’s as she said, “Yes. Use the Horn, allow as many through as you can, and then seal the way forever.”
Horror twisted through her. “And what—abandon the rest here? To be slaves and feeding troughs for the Asteri?” She’d be no better than Silene.
The Ocean Queen asked, “Isn’t it better for some to be free, than for all to be dead?”
Hunt let out a low laugh, stepping closer to Bryce’s side as he said to the Ocean Queen, “You can’t mean that. Who the fuck would even get chosen to come? Your people? Our families? In what universe is that fair?”
Seated at the conference table, Baxian nodded his agreement, but Tharion kept still as stone. Maybe he didn’t want to attract the queen’s attention or ire once more. Spineless asshole. But Bryce squashed her distaste. She needed all the allies she could get.
“I do not say it is fair,” the Ocean Queen said, stroking the sea krait on her wrist. “But it might be what is necessary.”
Bryce swallowed the dryness in her mouth. “I came back here to help everyone, not to abandon them to the mercy of the Asteri.”
“Perhaps Urd sent you to that other world to establish a safe harbor. Have you considered that?”
