She could only stare as his words sank in.

"You're proposing marriage? Even though you know my brother would kill you for it? And even though I carry another man's child?"

Dacian looked undeterred. "I am. If I am to turn my loyalty from my king to his sister, then it should be because that woman is also my wife."

She understood it then. "Helping your wife take back a kingdom that was stolen from her would be seen as honourable, not treasonous."

Dacian smiled. "Oh, many will still call it treason, but not the people of the Isles. They are far more devoted to you than they are their king, your grace. We mourned your death, picked up swords for retribution without hesitation. And before that, our betrothal was a cause for celebration and pride. To know that we are wed and that I do not fight a needless war, but one which takes back that which was stolen from you, I believe they will be proud once more."

She frowned. "But I dishonoured our betrothal when I married Galyn. Surely they would not forget that so easily?"

He sighed. "You think the people don't know that a betrothal is a pact made by two fathers for political gain? That love rarely blooms because our fathers tell us it should. They bear no ill will towards you for marrying the prince, for they have no quarrel with Azura. In fact the opposite. Many did not understand why we did not send men or ships to defend her. Many more do not understand why we side with those who helped destroy her." He looked at Valdr briefly, then back at her. "I want to restore that pride to the Isles and Calate. Our marriage would do it. Taking Azura back from Zybar would do it."

He cared for his people, she could see it in his eyes and hear it in his words. He cared how they thought about themselves. He wanted to make a better world. It would be his death warrant. He reminded her so much of Theodan then.

"And what of my child?" She asked him. "Will you love it? Protect it as though it were your own?"

He looked utterly sincere as he gave her a single nod. "I will."

Gods, how could she refuse what he offered to her. When what he offered was all that she needed to survive and avenge? Dacian's sea army was the greatest on Ethis. It could not be bested on the water. She knew from Valdr that the number of Zybar soldiers in Azura were not large, that many had returned to Zybar for Torrik's death ceremony and to choose their new king. They could save Azura. She would have to convince the people to follow her, to believe in her intentions, but Theodan had believed in her.

If the people of Azura knew she carried Galyn's child surely they would recognise her claim.

Valdr would be incensed, would send men and soldiers after them, but would he send an entire army to get her back this time? When he aimed to destroy Leoth?

Her mind whirred and spun at the possibilities. It was not the promise she had made Theodan.  She had not been able to convince Valdr to send peace terms. And neither could she sit here and wait for war. Calate could - likely would - still fall to Leoth in battle, but if she could claim control of Azura then she would send peace terms. Would find some accord between the Leothin and Azurian people. It would not be easy, nor quick, but perhaps with the trade of the medicine Elyon had spoken of.

Elyon.

She looked at Dacian.

"I would require your help to free Elyon of Lethane. I will not leave him behind."

Something flitted across Dacian's gaze before he nodded. "It will not be easy, but I will try." He saw her look and sighed. "I will find a way to free the Leothine."

The small flicker in her chest grew, burning warm and bright like hope. 

She should accept. There was little reason not to. Dacian offered her more than she could ever dare have asked for. All he desired in return was to call her his wife. Had she not done the same with Galyn? Yes, she had grown to love him. His gentle heart and innate kindness. His empathy and generosity.

She could not offer Dacian love, but this was not a sacrifice, it was a necessity. She would have power, an army, and an honourable husband who cared for his people and would live to protect her and her child.

"I shall not love you," she told him. The look that cut across his face made her feel guilty but she knew she must be honest with him now. They would be allies in this thing. She could not lie to him. Could not promise him things she could not give.

He smiled a small smile that echoed with sadness. "I had considered that, your grace. It changes nothing."

"You must give me some time to consider," she gave him a look that was pleading. "And perhaps you too should reconsider. Consider Valdr's wrath, what it could mean for your lands and your people."

"I have not made this decision lightly, I assure you. It is not some fleeting madness that shall be gone by the morning. I am certain this is the right choice. Certain that you were returned to us for a reason." His eyes were bright with passion. "You survived the unimaginable and yet still you argue for peace when many others would desire only war. You are the right way, Fara. I believe in what it is you seek to do. You were born to command and rule." He glanced again at where Valdr sat across the room. "And if you had been born male in this realm, you would be."

This time she allowed his informal address, stunned by the words. Theodan had once stunned her with words similar. 

Do not be cowed or diminished and do not let others weaken or command you. You are more than the sister of a king and the wife of a prince, Fara of Calate and Azura — you are a princess of the blood, and you were born to rule. I have seen it.

Gods, Theodan.

Will you understand why I must do this? Will you forgive me for not waiting for you? This time I shall tell you all that I kept from you and perhaps you will understand. I cannot love him. Not when I... Nay. I shall not say it, even to myself, I shall utter it only when I stand before you again.

"Give me this night to consider all that you offer," she asked. "I will bring word of my decision to you on the morrow. Meet me in the Moonalven Garden just as the sun rises? "

"I will be there, your grace."

Taking a sip of her wine to soothe her trembling nerves, she turned to look at Valdr. She froze when she found his gaze fixed on her, stormy and dark. Sense told her he knew nothing, that it was only that she stood with Dacian that soured and enraged him.

He stood suddenly and the band of musicians in the balcony halted their playing. She felt Dacian tense beside her as the room quieted around them.

"Lords, to my solar," Valdr commanded loudly. 'Sister, you will join us also." He let his gaze linger on her a moment before striding from the dais and exiting the hall. A stream of Lords followed after him, glancing at each other in confusion.

"He knows nothing, worry not," Dacian assured her. "It is likely to discuss his plans for my marriage."

She looked at him as they moved across the hall. "You knew?"

"There are very few secrets at court, as you know," he smiled. "And since I returned to Prissia Delphine of Hirath has suddenly found me worthy of her attention. It does not take a scholar to understand why."

"Is this the true reason you wish to take a different wife? To escape the one that your king intends to give you." It was said in jest, but Dacian's gaze turned heavy.

"There has only ever been one woman I desired to make my wife, and until I am told she will not have me, I still hold out hope."

That hope made her uncomfortable. Made her question the offer anew. Dacian cared for her, perhaps even loved her. Was it unkind to give him such hope?

"And if I refuse this offer, will you marry Delphine of Hirath?"

"You speak as though it is a choice."

"is it not?"

Dacian sighed. "A wise person once told me that sometimes the choices we are given are not truly choices at all."

Valdr's solar was bathed in low light, the fire crackling softly inside the wide stone hearth. He sat at the head of the large oval table, Commondaant Pagel to his left and Dacian to his right. The other lords spread around it in their crested seats shifting uncomfortably as tension swam in the air. If this was to announce Dacian's marriage, they certainly expected some acrimony.

She sat slightly behind Valdr's chair, between him and Pagel.

Without looking at her, Valdr beckoned her forward with an upturned hand. She stood and went toward him, placing her hand over his waiting palm. Dacian looked up at her, his expression guarded.

"There has been news of our brother, the Crown Prince," Valdr announced without preamble. Her breath caught and involuntarily she gripped Valdr's hand. "It seems he is no longer a prisoner of Leoth." Mumbles rose from the Lords, curious brows and quizzical looks. "He has been removed from the realm and taken to Azura."

"Taken by whom?" Fara asked, a light of hope flaring to life in her heart.

"There has been something of an... uprising in Leoth.' Commandant Pagel took over, turning to look at her, before casting his gaze around the table. "Their Isdar has been deposed and replaced." Her first thought was that Theodan could be at the head of such an uprising. That after her release he may have stormed the court of the moon and removed Orrin from his seat. Except The High Visier would never condone such a move. And Theodan would not defy her.  No, it did not make sense. "And Their High Visier has been executed."

At this, Fara gasped, her knees weakening slightly. Dacian cut his eyes to her, Pagel too.

"By whom?" Someone asked.

There was a beat before Valdr spoke. "By the Commander of their army; the Theodan of Teredia." When he turned to look up at her, it took everything she had to school her features.

Her mind was a whirlwind. Theodan had murdered the High Visier? For what purpose? It made no sense. He respected her, Fara had seen that. There was no enmity between them. Had she not spoken for him? Had she not entrusted Fara's release to him even after his trial? He would not harm her, she was certain of it.

"And what of the Isdar?" Dacian asked, eyes narrowing. "Theodan of Teredia fled? He did not take the seat himself?"

"The previous Isdar, Orrin of Esterus, has been imprisoned on charges of Supreme Malefaction. We are still trying to piece together his intentions," Pagel supplied. "And we await word from our Border Guard in Azura, but it seems Theodan of Teredia murdered his Visier then fled the realm with the Prince and a small army of warriors. The Primed has also fled with him."

"The Visier's successor?" Lord Terryn asked.

"There are claims of improper relations between the two; that they conspired together to kill the Visier."

Some of the Lords around the table gaped, some looked unsurprised, as though this kind of barbarity was to be expected of the infamous Leothine monster. Her thoughts were unorganised and chaotic, but she tried to focus on that which was of importance. Theodan lived. Panos lived. Both were in Azura. She hated the hollow ache that settled in her heart at the idea of another woman warming his bed and so she pushed it aside. This was no time for female feelings.

She looked at Dacian, who stared fixedly at a point on the table, his fist clenched tightly. He appeared deep in thought.

"Then Panos is safe,' she said. Too late she realised what she'd done. When the Lords and Valdr turned to look at her, aghast and bewildered. She quickly added, "From the Leoth council. I do not believe Theodan of Teredia intends to harm our brother." She looked at Valdr meaningfully.

"Princess, forgive me, but how can you be so certain?' Lord Ilgaern kept his tone neutral. "Why would he flee with the crown prince if he was not intent on harming him or using him as some bargaining chip. For the release of Torrik's executioner I would wager."

She met the Lord's glare. "I did not say he would not bargain with him, Lord Ilgaern, would not we do the very same? I said only that his intent is not to harm him. He is too important." To me. "And if such a bargain were to be put to us, I would certainly hope our king and our lords would consider such a trade. After all, Panos is our brother. And it was not our king who was executed."

When she looked at Valdr again she saw him deep in thought, nibbling furiously on one corner of his mouth.

"Leoth is in chaos... " he said, finally.

There was a sudden knock on the solar door, and a soldier of the interior was admitted. He strode towards Commandant Pagel hurriedly, breathless and dirtied from the road. He bowed to the king first before turning to address his superior.

"Commandant, I have word from the western border," he announced.

"Speak it before your king," Pagel commanded him.

The soldier turned towards Valdr and bowed once more. He looked nervous, this soldier who was no more than a boy, wide-eyed with dark circles smudged beneath them. "Sire, the messenger brings news that Zybar no longer holds the Golden city." He swallowed. "That their forces were pushed back into the Ash sea. Those not killed have retreated to Zybar, your grace." 

She saw a muscle in Valdr's jaw tighten, saw his eyes darken and his hand curl into a fist.  "And tell me, how did the Azurian forces - who I was told were crushed to dust - manage to push the mighty Zybar back into the sea?"

The soldier hesitated. "The messenger reports that it was the Mountain Tribes, your majesty."

"The mountain tribes are nought but shepherds and weavers," a lord scoffed loudly. Valdr threw him a murderous glare before looking back to the soldier.

"But they were not alone, were they?" Valdr said. She could feel the rage rising in him. Could feel the burn of fury from where he sat.

The soldier shook his head. "No sire. They were aided by a group of Leoth soldiers. Led by Theodan of Teredia. Tis they who hold Azura, majesty."

Fara felt something bubble up in her chest that threatened to spill out of her mouth. A laugh or a cry. A weightless, joyful sound.

She was certain the roar of fury Valdr let out would be heard in Azura.