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Zerek sighed, “It’s a risk either way. A direct confrontation or a long detour. We need to choose wisely.”
Herrath tapped the table. “We could send a decoy, a smaller force, to engage them, while the main army sneaks past.”
I shook my head. “That would be a suicide mission.”
Theron looked deep in thought, “We could try to parley, and negotiate safe passage.”
Raenisa snorted, “With Caelia? Diplomacy isn’t her strong suit.”
Theron’s eyes met mine, the silent conversation between us all too familiar. “I know, but it might buy us time. Time for another solution.”
“How did she rally so many soldiers?” I wondered aloud.
Zerek hesitated. “I think the Senthenna may have joined her.” He must have seen the confusion on my face because he continued. “Our navy.”
Theron stroked my back absentmindedly, his eyes locked on the maps. He was in his element, strategizing outcomes for every variable. “That’s a blessing, at least. They won’t be used to fighting in formation. Our companies will break their lines easily.”
Herrath’s voice pierced the tense quiet. “We could send an emissary. Perhaps negotiate a truce or safe passage.”
The idea lingered in the air for a heartbeat, until one by one, everyone stared at Raenisa. Her eyes widened, her posture stiffening. I could almost feel the turmoil boiling within her before she spoke. “I’ll go.”
Theron addressed gently. “Rae, you don’t have to do this.” He wasn’t a general right now.
Her eyes, momentarily distant, met his. “I do. We know she won’t hurt me, and I’m your second. This is what I’m supposed to do.”
Theron shook his head. “You’re my best friend, and that comes first. If you don’t want to do this, I won’t ask it of you.”
Zerek shrugged. “I could go. She won’t risk hurting an Amyntas. It would jeopardize her alliance.”
“Your family disowned you,” Herrath reminded him. “We have no guarantees for your safety.”
Roza watched Zerek carefully, but he didn’t react to the reminder.
After what felt like an eternity, Raenisa let out a shaky breath. “Fuck it. I’ll do it. I’ll meet Caelia, though I’m not sure what you can offer her.”
Theron crossed his arms, and his muscles bulging distracted me. He felt my interest and grinned at me, his smile promising a wicked night before he turned his attention back to Raenisa. “We can give her more land, make her the Marshal of the Niothe, Warden of the South, whatever title she wants.”
“The only title she wants is ‘Empress.’” Bitterness dripped from Raenisa’s words. “And since marrying you is off the table, I don’t think we have many bargaining chips.”
Roza shrugged. “Just tell her you’re trading her life. Kael could tear apart their land and homes. If they want to keep both, they either join us or disperse.” She brushed her hands against each other as if to show the ease with which we could handle the situation.
Zerek’s eyes danced over her in amusement. “You don’t know Caelia. She’s even more stubborn than you. If we told her that our stick was bigger than hers, the first thing she’d do is get a better stick. She doesn’t back down.”
Roza’s cheeks flushed a pretty pink that complemented her scales. “Oh.”
Raenisa stood, her movements mechanical. “I guess I should go.” Everyone moved to wish her safe travels, Theron asking her again if she was sure she wanted to do this. The tension was palpable, a raw energy that prickled across my skin.
Raenisa slipped from the tent as the others began discussing tactics, and I followed her into the darkness. Moonlight dappled Raenisa’s face, illuminating the fierce determination in her eyes, tempered with the shadow of fear. The distant murmurs of the camp played a soft background to our solitude.
“Rae,” my voice was soft as I tried to call out to her without startling her. “Can I talk to you for a second?”
She took a shaky breath, her luminous eyes shimmering. “Hey. Yeah, sure.”
Before I could frame my words, quiet footfalls approached. Roza. Her magenta hair gleamed in the moonlit night. “Hey.”
Raenisa nodded and stepped forward, standing straight and proud despite her fear. “I’m going to be alright,” she said, as if trying to convince herself more than anyone else.
“Seeing her won’t be easy.”
