The ride to Zunin was a furious affair. Aided by the magic flowing in their veins, Trix, Jazz and Cage had no issue roughing it up and going as fast and as far as the horses could bear. The rest of their escort were hardened soldiers who did not complain when the nobles didn't.

With mere hours to rest in which they changed horses, had something to eat and slept a little, by the end of the second day, Zunin came into view. Cage set them another break.

"How long do you think it will take us to get there?" Trix asked, hopping off his horse. He winced when he hit the ground.

Cage did his best to keep his smile in. As much as Trix put on a brave front, it was clear that he was a man of the sea and riding so much had numbed his bones, not to mention his ass. He'd only complained once and Jazz had managed an entire hour of various jokes on the matter so he'd never mentioned it again.

"I'd say another half day," Jazz answered, climbing off his horse as well.

As a noble of Talia he was much better at riding than Trix was and the long journey didn't seem to bother him. Cage also suspected the thought of seeing Jinx again was giving him a spur of energy.

"We should rest then."

"Shouldn't we try to rest in Zunin?" Trix asked.

"I agree with Cage," Jazz said. "The border villages aren't safe anymore. Zunin is supposed to be a mixed village, but we could as well be running straight at a bunch of angry Endirians. Killing them off would not be a great way to start peace talks."

"Dumb Endirians," Trix mumbled.

"We should set up camp and rest," Cage said to everyone. "We'll leave at daybreak tomorrow."

Everyone followed orders immediately and Cage settled down, opening a map and laying it before him. With the possibility to prepare for the night using magic, Trix and Jazz joined him on the ground.

"General Harkiss is stationed here," Cage said, pointing to a spot on the map about half-way to Zunin. "If anything happens, he should be able to get to us fast enough."

"Shouldn't he be there with you?" Jazz asked. "I know Kat will be bringing her own general along."

"I want to be less belligerent," Cage mumbled.

Something coiled in his stomach and he wondered if it was jealousy. He'd never been jealous before. Why would he be jealous now anyway when he couldn't even feel anything for Kat anymore?

"Do you have any propositions for her?" Trix asked.

"Apart from opening fair trade between the countries? Not really. We don't owe Endir anything. They invaded us."

"You might not want to mention that to her," Trix said.

"I think she'll come with requests of her own," Jazz said.

Cage glanced at him. Even if he'd phrased it as a guess, Cage wondered if Jazz had looked into the future and knew that Kat would and exactly what she wanted. But he knew better than to ask.

"Do you think we'll be able to avoid war?" Trix whispered

Cage didn't answer for a long time, his gaze lost on the map. He was sure the answer was no. The visions of what followed still haunted him. They increased in cadence and intensity the closer they came to Kat. He hadn't mentioned it to anyone.

"We'll cross that bridge when we get to it," Jazz said.

"So it's a no," Trix muttered to himself and headed off to settle in.

Cage couldn't sleep that night. His attempts were plagued with scenarios in which a war would start the very next day and he and Kat would be nothing more than opposing monarchs of rival countries. By the time they were on the road again, his head pounded and his muscles ached.

Jazz and Trix were also silent as they neared the village. All seemed quiet at first, but the more they approached, they noticed the large silver banners with the black wolf head. They were placed around the town square and a unit of soldiers dressed in battle armor awaited on the other side.

"Do we have any banners?" Trix asked, sounding wary.

"We actually do," Rip said from behind.

He and the other guards began to unroll the banners and held them up proudly. Cage wished there was no need for this, but he wasn't a fool. He'd put on official clothes that morning and with a huge sigh, he took the crown out of the satchel strapped to his saddle and placed it on his head. The cold metal had him wincing, and for the first time in months, he felt as if it were dripping blood again.

They approached the envoy from Endir. The villagers had gathered around the square, on the sides of the two envoys. It was easy to tell whose side they were on. They hissed and booed at their approach, most of them drawing closer to the Endirians. A quick scan of the crowd showed that they were almost exclusively Endirian, but even the few with Iridian traits looked hostile.

A knot formed in Cage's stomach and his heart thundered against his ribs as he took in the crowd, doing his best to delay looking forward as much as possible. As they progressed, there was a slight shift in the people. A few of the older ones looked curious, as if they expected to see Fherras or maybe even Ferdinand walking in. Cage felt even more out of place.

Jazz and Trix both tenses on his sides, and Cage finally raised his eyes. The Endirian soldiers were a wall of silver, and in front of them was a slim figure also dressed in silver armor, her blonde hair reflecting in the waning autumn sun. A crown sat atop her head, looking like icicles.

The shade was wrong. The severe lines on her face were wrong. The iciness in her eyes was wrong. That was not Kat. At least not his Kat. And still, he felt as if he were suffocating as the magic inside him tried to smother his memories of her and plant visions of the war instead.

As they approached, her eyes widened, but it was with surprise, not recognition and definitely not warmth. One of her men, a tall broad one with golden hair, leaned over and whispered something to her. She snapped out of her contemplative state and frowned, nodding to what he was saying. Then she raised her hand. The crowd of soldiers parted and Jinx was brought forward, her hands shackled together.

"No fucking way," Jazz said between his teeth.

"Calm down," Cage said, keeping his voice low. "Unless those shackles are iron, Jinx is not really captured."

"I know. This is nothing but humiliation."

Jinx seemed to feel the same because she just glared at Kat. When her gaze drifted towards them, it was filled with worry.

"Which makes it worse," Trix added.

"Just keep your cool." They stopped talking since the two delegations had reached the middle of the square.

Cage hated looking into that familiar and yet unfamiliar face. Jazz had mentioned it would be hard, and he'd prepared for it. What he hadn't prepared for was the distortion of the reality around him, the blood, fire and ice filling the edges of his vision as every heartbeat wanted to remember the woman in front of him.

Jazz had also mentioned that Kat didn't remember him. He hadn't expected that to hurt so much.

"Your Majesty," he said, bowing his head slightly to her.

"King of Iride," she said instead, her voice as cold as her demeanor.

Everything inside him rebelled. He wanted to scream all their past adventures in her face. Mention their engagement, how the magic inside him was torturing him because he dared love her. But he was no longer the Admiral of the Royal Navy. He was no longer Duke of the Southern lands of Sandrine. He was no longer Cage.

He was the king of Iride and he had to act accordingly.

So even if he was breaking on the inside, he offered her a soft smile. It brought surprise to her eyes instantly, even as she did her best not to move any of the muscles of her face.

"It's a pleasure to finally meet you."

Kat gritted her teeth, obviously not prepared to be killed with kindness or for him to pretend he didn't know her. "Thank you for accepting my invitation to meet," she finally said.

"I was ready to extend one of my own."

Her icy eyes moved to Jazz. "After your spy brought you news of my coronation, I am sure."

Cage leaned his forearms on the horn of his saddle and kept the easy smile on his face. "You must understand, your Majesty, that relations between our two kingdoms have been strained at best. I don't think there would have been room for discussions with the Steward."

The tension in her shoulders indicated that she agreed with him and hadn't taken the throne peacefully. "Strained is putting it mildly," she said. "Your spy must have also told you that my invitation came as a result of your intention to talk."

"You know my name, Kat," Jazz said, his voice a lot less friendly.

Cage raised his hand to silence him and glanced down at Jinx. "What's the purpose for this?"

Jinx glanced at Kat, too, the glare still on her face. He was impressed that she hadn't set fire to anything by now, but he could guess Kat had warned her against it.

"A guarantee."

"Of what? You obviously have the bigger army here."

Kat huffed. "I may not remember you properly, but I know you're not stupid. You surely have a bigger army right around the corner."

The mention that they knew each other, that she couldn't remember him sent a shooting pain into his chest. He did his best not to bend over and show any sign that he was hurting.

"I have no hostages, though." It was the only thing safe to say.

She narrowed her eyes at him, most likely wondering if she should press the army issue. Cage continued to smile at her.

"We have prepared the local tavern for discussions," the man Cage assumed was Kat's general said.

"Then let's get to it." He climbed off his horse first, followed by Trix and Jazz. "It's going to be the three of us."

"Your Majesty--" Rip started from behind.

"We'll be fine, Captain. You keep an eye out here."

Kat unsaddled too, together with her general, and to Cage's surprise, indicated Jinx as the third person in her party. He waited for her to reach him so that they could walk together. Trix hurried over next to make sure Jazz and Jinx got to fall into step together.

The tavern was a few yards away, but he still felt strange walking beside her. Just the feel of her was familiar and it brought a monster of a headache as images of blood and ice filled his vision again. That pain however was nothing compared to the one brought on by her stiffness and lack of familiarity. He'd never been so close to her without being able to touch her.

The inside of the tavern was empty and cool, a few candles placed on a nearby table. Kat led their sad little procession and settled on one side of the table with her general. Cage stopped on the other side with Trix and Jazz. Jinx, surprisingly chose an adjoining side, caught between the two kingdoms. Kat threw her a glare but didn't comment. Whatever had happened between them was enough for Jinx not to take sides and that already meant a lot. Kat seemed to know that.

The general took out a map and unrolled it over the table. It was one of both kingdoms as well as Talia and Annora, and Cage couldn't believe that Endir had such a valuable thing and they did not.

"We all know that Iride is a greedy, unfair kingdom," Kat began.

"Just like Endir is warmongering and power hungry," Trix retaliated at once.

Cage raised his hand to silence him then leaned both palms on the table and glanced over the map, trying to commit as much of it to memory. "That was the case to some degree. But we cannot ignore what led to it." What led to Fherras taking the throne in the first place.

"Endir was always driven by lack of resources," Kat pressed on. "Lack of food."

Cage gave a curt nod at this, his gaze still on the map. "Our kingdoms have different resources indeed. "While the fields and forests are mainly on our side of the mountains, the mines are on yours."

"Steel and iron don't feed families, King."

"You can call me Cage," he said absently. "And yes, they don't. But they are valuable to those who have none."

"I will not call you in any way other than by your title," she said, her voice filled with poison. "And you do not understand the point I am making."

Anger flared inside him. "I do understand. In case you've forgotten, and I'm sure you have, I'm very aware of all the issues with Iride. I'm also aware that we are not the only ones at fault for the conflict between our kingdoms. Which is why I'm here. To find compromise and secure peace. Kat."

"How dare you?" The general put his hand on the pommel of his sword.

"I'd watch my hand if I were you," Jazz growled. "We don't need swords to end you."

"Please." Jinx's weak voice plunged the room into silence once more. "Let's focus on peace talks. You can all have a cock measuring contest once this is over."

Jazz tilted his head. "Jinxy?"

She gritted her teeth and nodded towards the map. "Go on, Kat. Make your proposition." By her tone, it was obvious she knew what that was and that it would not go over well.

Cage had a bad feeling about this, so he decided that he should counter it before it was placed before him. "The solution is obvious. Your people need food, my people need materials. We open the borders and sign a mutually advantageous treaty regarding trade."

Kat knocked her head back and laughed. The high, cruel sound sent shivers down his spine and reignited his anger.

"Do you think that would work? Hasn't that happened a million times before and look where it got us?"

As much as he hated it, she made an excellent point. "Well, I believe that if we respect the treaty and respect each other, we could remove the root cause of this. The bigotry and the generational hatred."

The general mumbled something in Endirian that was too fast for Cage to catch. Kat raised her hand to silence him, her narrowed eyes on Cage.

"So let me get this straight. You are assuming that the two of us could get along and that would make every generation after us ensure that the treaty is upheld."

It sounded naive given the extensive history of the two kingdoms. But something was different this time.

Cage shrugged. "I don't think there was ever a chance for changing the mentality of the people as there is now."

"And why is that?"

Because I love you. Or at least he used to, and it still tore through him.

"I know you. You are kind and open minded. I don't think Endir ever had a ruler like you."

"What's that supposed to mean?" she bristled, placing her fits on her hips.

"How was that even remotely offensive?" Trix asked.

"It's supposed to mean that you're different. We both are," Cage pressed on. "We can look beyond petty rivalries and pride and do something that could benefit both our kingdoms long after we're gone."

Kat shook her head, and for the briefest moment, he thought he saw the shine of tears in her eyes. "That's no guarantee. You took the crown by force."

Not this shit again. "You should know better than anyone--"

"It doesn't matter! If you took it by force, someone else can take it from you the same way. There is only one way to ensure that the two kingdoms are equal and want for nothing." She drew closer to the map and glanced at it for a moment before she glanced at him again. There were no tears or hesitation in her eyes. "We want your southern lands."

"What?" Never in his wildest dreams had Cage even considered a proposal like that.

Kat clasped her hands behind her back and walked to the other side of the map. "Of course, we will have to compensate you, so we offer our northern lands."

"You want to restructure the borders of both countries?" he asked, still unable to believe what she was saying.

"Yes." She picked up a pencil and drew a horizontal line across the map right outside of Darkwood. "This way, both countries have both resources and food, no matter what follows."

"You can't displace the population of half a kingdom!" And that wasn't even all that was wrong with that proposal.

Kat shrugged. "If they don't want to leave, they can be part of Endir."

This was insane. "You're cutting our access to Talia and Annora." And Sandrine was the richest part of Iride. Kat surely knew that since she used to live there.

"Well, I didn't think it appropriate to ask for the northern half. After all, your capital is there, just like ours is in the south. This makes the most sense."

"This makes no sense." The shock subsided as the words sank in and all he was left with was anger. "That's not happening. We're not giving you Sandrine. Especially not in exchange for that barren wasteland on your northern coast."

"So you refuse my peace proposal."

"We're not at war! And if you ever thought that was a valid proposal, you are not half as smart as I thought you were."

Kat's eyes flashed, but he'd had it. Violet lightning coursed up his forearms. There were voices around him, some of warning, some of awe, but he could see or hear nothing beyond Kat. Or this person who had taken her place and now also wanted to take his country.

"Oh, but we are," she said. "This is my final and only offer. Should you not accept it and give us what we are due, we will take it."

A hand fell on his shoulder, and without looking, Cage knew it was Jazz. Though his grip was for caution or encouragement he couldn't tell. But his friend knew this would happen as much as he did. They'd both seen it. Not the how, but the outcome. And though he'd wanted to avoid it, this was a cost Iride couldn't bear. One he couldn't even fathom either. And Kat had known that long before she opened her mouth.

"No." The world came more like a growl as the beast inside him stirred. "Declare your war."

"Very well." She raised her chin in defiance. "I hereby declare war on Iride."

The words, though not unexpected, seemed to seal something inside of Cage and his heart steeled against her. In the back of his mind, he was aware that it was what Cecille had always wanted, but apparently, he had to want it too for it to take full effect. It no longer mattered.

He grabbed the map off the table and rolled it. "I'll see you on the battlefield, then."

"Give that map back," Kat snapped. "It doesn't belong to you."

"Come and take it." He held his hand up, palm facing the ceiling, and a tiny ball of lightning formed in it. " You apparently enjoy doing that very much."

The general still had his hand on his sword, but he was obviously not a magic user, so he didn't move. Jazz and Trix both held their hands out as if ready to start tossing furniture around if anyone stepped towards them.

"Jinxy, come to us," Jazz said, keeping his eyes on Kat.

Jinx didn't move, her gaze lowered. "I can't."

"Why? What has she done to you?" Trix asked.

It wasn't anything of the sort. Cage could tell by the resignation of Jazz's face. He had seen this.

"I think... I think..." Her voice faltered. When she raised her eyes, the conflict inside her was obvious. "I think there is a chance for better. That Endir can finally be more than it has been so far. And I..."

A piece of Cage's heart broke. He'd never taken Jinx to be loyal to her country, but he couldn't scorn her for it either. Not when he would sacrifice anything for his.

"You want to be part of that," he said, his voice final.

It was hard for her to take her eyes off Jazz, but she did to glance at him. They were filled with tears as she nodded.

"I... Jazz..." Her gaze turned to him.

He didn't answer, his jaw clenched tightly.

"Nothing ties you to Iride," she whispered. "Stay with me."

"You can't ask me that," he said.

"I can, and I am. Please..."

Cage turned to him, trying his best to keep calm. Losing Jinx hurt. Losing Jazz as well would cripple him in more ways than one. He needed Jazz not just as a friend, but as counsel for the upcoming war.

Jazz's eyes flashed white and Jinx shuddered. It only lasted a few moments before they turned to their usual black. "You. Can't. Ask. Me. That." And he whipped around and stalked out of the tavern.

"Go," Trix said. "I have your back."

Cage threw Jinx one more look, then turned to Kat. It hurt. Walking away from her, knowing they would meet again leading armies... It broke him in ways he hadn't thought possible. The magic seemed to loosen his hold on him, letting in more pain.

"Goodbye, Kit-Kat," he whispered and walked away.

⚜⚜⚜

Look at the size of this chapter! I had no idea it was this long. But then again, I had way too much fun with this. You have Kat and Cage in the same room after what feels like forever.

No, no one escaped war. And Jinx left them all for the potential of her own kingdom 😱 But what made her decide that? Well, I guess you'll see soon enough. Thanks for reading!