There was heavy rainfall in Chaya Domun this evening. Enfri supposed she was starting to understand exactly why they called it a rainforest. She sat out on Therrak's balcony beneath a parasol, listening to the rain falling on the leaves. Zette was in her lap. The little monkey dozed soundly while Enfri stroked his back.

It was more than a full day since she asked Cardin to carry her message to Elise. There was yet to be a response. Since then, Enfri spent her time meeting with elders and their families. She implored them to realize the dangers facing their enclave, and that Shan Alee was their best hope for survival. They questioned her about her ties to other kingdoms, and especially to Jin. Her betrothal to an Algara was an object of great scrutiny, and everyone seemed to have their own opinion about it.

There were those who felt Enfri had betrayed her people. Others simply thought her a foolish, lovestruck girl. Some— not as many as Enfri would like, but some— believed Enfri was building the foundation for a true peace with Althandor. Frustratingly, that was just what they thought of Jin. What the elders thought about Enfri's fealty to Princess Maya was even more divisive a subject.

Obtaining support for herself as a claimant was proving more difficult than Enfri had hoped.

After a long day of walking the bridges between trees and getting interrogated by half-naked old coots left Enfri feeling fully spent. Enfri planned on taking the rest of the day to recover before doing it all again tomorrow. Kolbat, Darva, and the crew were on a landing not far below the manor. Therrak and his wife, Leilas, had tasked their few servants with laying out a hearty meal for Enfri's armsmen.

She didn't join them. Her mind was preoccupied with other matters. She'd been in Chaya Domun for more than three days, and there'd yet to be a sending from the legion. Worry gnawed at her. For Ban and Moon, for Pacifica, for everyone, but especially for Jin. Not for the first time, she wondered if she'd been a fool for leaving.

If she hadn't, Elise would probably be recognized by the Aleesh as their empress already. There was no reason to believe Enfri's presence in Sandharbor would change the outcome of what was happening there in any way. But, at least she'd be with her loved ones.

An odd, little family. Her betrothed, her mother and brother of the heart, and the many beautiful souls she'd grown to love since first leaving the desert's edge. Enfri longed to feel Jin's hand on her shoulder, listen to one of Deebee's stories as it devolved into a lecture on history, take a nap on top of Ban, or snuggle with Moon while laughing over something inappropriate. Enfri would even welcome a quiet teatime with Krayson or a discussion of finances with Reyn.

The Five. Enfri didn't know what that was supposed to mean for gods or the world, but to her, it meant family.

Here in the Reach, she was separated from all of them for the first time since she found them. It left her feeling vulnerable. Tentatively, Enfri sent a small measure of ether through her bond. Almost immediate, a feeling of strength returned to her, a gift from her Storyteller.

Soon, the fleeting contact seemed to say. We will soon be together again.

Enfri longed for it. She was also rather eager to meet the new life growing inside Deebee's egg. Jalla had said that the fertilization appeared to go well, though it had been to soon to know for certain. Enfri prayed, for Deebee's sake, that there would be a new silver dragonet in the world before year's end.

Strange to think, but Deebee's hatchling would be something of a step-sibling to her. Maybe Reyn should look into the constitution and see if a dragon was eligible to rule Shan Alee, making the title of Dragon Emperor more literal.

Enfri stuck her bare foot out from under the shadow of the parasol and felt warm raindrops against her skin. Somewhere below, she heard laughter from the Aleesh. They called to each other, sometimes in Althandi but most often in Aeldic. Enfri could only catch scattered words, and few that were strung together.

Looking out over the Denriim, thin tendrils of mist hung like ribbons above the water. Enfri counted five boats, long and thin vessels the Aleesh called canoes, that glided across the surface with little phosphorescent lanterns that gave off a soft, green glow. The fading sunlight filtering through the canopy and the eery colors of the bioluminescent lanterns lent the misty rainfall a surreal quality. That sense was only enhanced by the strumming of a lute she heard from below her somewhere, accompanied by a sweet and wordless melody sung by a male alto.

This is an old song, Shoen murmured quietly.

Enfri went immediately on her guard. As she tensed, Zette stirred in her lap but didn't wake.

They have forgotten the words, it seems, but not the tune.

Enfri thought to leave it at that. Moments passed before she replied. What were the words?

An incantation, Shoen said. When sung by a witch, the song would conjure lights, and those who listened could see a glimpse into the Ethereum. Spirits of music, illumination, and yearning would dance around them. It was a song of reaching for what we believe to be beyond us, failure assumed inevitable. Yet, that does not make reaching for it any less noble.

Enfri pulled her foot back from the rainfall. Did even the great Dragon Emperor upon the first summit yearn for things?

Of course, girl. I was emperor, but I was also a mortal man. There was much I wished for that I could not achieve in my time.

Enfri felt her lip curl. Like what?

Answers, he said. Solutions. A way forward that would not demand the same ransoms as the one I already possessed.

Enfri furrowed her brow.

I did not seek the death curse, child, Shoen said. I wished with all that I was for another way. You are intent on believing otherwise, but I was never the madman you wish me to be.

Then, why'd you do it?

Because there was no other way. To forestall the doom upon us, Shan Alee had to fall.

It was falling anyway. The slave revolt was going to see to that.

Falling for the wrong reasons, and not so completely as was necessary. The daan weren't aiming to destroy Shan Alee. They sought to steal it, and they were— and remain— too weak to be trusted with the burden of ruling the world. Shoen fell quiet for a moment, and when he returned, his voice was a whisper. He needed to die.

Shan Alee?

In a way, he was Shan Alee. But no, child. Not the empire. Our god.

Enfri blinked. Our... god?

The Betrayer. Ask no more of him, girl. Just the memory is dangerous, and his true name may yet become a deadly curse on you all. Gods never truly die so long as they are remembered, and humanity's gods were the solution to a question the old masters have asked since the beginning of time.

Enfri leaned forward. What question? Winds, what do they want?

I discovered the answer too late to save my people, Shoen said, but the question it answered remains in shadow. I learned their purpose for our empire, but not what they sought to accomplish through it. None outside of the old masters' power know what they truly seek. Understand this, girl, all the crimes you lay at my feet only delayed them. My sin did not stop them. Once again, they are close to achieving their final goal. Shan Alee was but a step, but it was among the final steps. Whatever their true aims are, your era is the penultimate stage leading towards what demons desire most.

You're saying that stopping the doom won't ever actually stop them? They'll just try again. Infinite more dooms in the future, and we'll only have left our descendants holding the bag.

If gods can die, so too can the old masters. Where once there were seven, now there are six. You have the evil monster in your head to thank for dealing them that blow.

Enfri frowned. You said you killed a god, not a demon.

You have much to learn of where gods came from.

Enfri remembered something Varn the Librarian had told her. At the time, it had seemed so different from what she always assumed that it'd been all but unbelievable. We created them. Mortals created gods.

Shoen hummed in confirmation. All spirits are beings born of mortal belief. We need them to be, and they become. A god is perceived, and so a god is born. The spirits and gods of humanity instilled a new order upon the Ethereum, the Law of Five, an order the old masters have sought to control ever since they first realized it was happening. The power humanity brought forth is no less than the ability to reshape reality itself. We introduced faith into the world, and that is a devastating power.

Enfri's hand on Zette fell still. "Winds..."

You understand more than we expected. Once again, you impress us, but you have much further to go before you can challenge the old masters. You are still too weak. A child such as you does not have the mettle to make the sacrifices required to slay a demon.

Back to that again. Enfri prepared to send Shoen away.

However, Shoen said reluctantly, you have surprised us before. I still say, and I will continue to say, you are a naive girl, yet I cannot disregard what you have accomplished.

Enfri snorted. She imagined what Shoen thought of as her accomplishments were the things she was most ashamed of. Battles fought and won, when she would rather they'd never have been fought at all. Praise? From you?

Gaze into the Ethereum, Enfri. You will see spirits off all things mortals perceive. Of stars and moonlight, of fire, wind, water, and earth. These things existed long before our faith gave them a will of their own, and they will exist long after mortal kind has fallen into dust. What you will also find are things born solely of humanity. Spirits of home and of family, of justice, devotion, hope, mercy, and valor. These did not exist until mortal hearts perceived them. Search throughout all the world, and you will never find a grain of honor as you would a grain of sand. Nonetheless, you believe in them, and so they are. If faith is the power to change the world, then perhaps it truly is you, Enfri the Yora First Summit, who is best able to change it for the better.

She was left speechless. Enfri had never heard Shoen speak to her in such a way.

Believe, he said, and let it become.

Enfri gathered Zette up into her arms and stood.

Do not make the same mistake we did, Shoen said. The Aleesh gave our faith to something we should not have, long ago. The Betrayer became a god as much as he was a demon. Our faith was subverted to serve them. It happened before. It could happen again. Perhaps it already has. Bestow your faith wisely.

Enfri left the balcony as Shoen withdrew from her mind. He left her with much to think about, and she wasn't sure if those were things she should even consider. Shoen was a black-hearted and cruel man, and she was inclined to disregard whatever came out of him.

But, he was the Dragon Emperor, Enfri thought. Can I really let myself think that he cared nothing for his empire?

Discomforted, Enfri made for the main entrance of Therrak's manor. She didn't really know where she meant to go, but she was restless. Out the front door and onto the landing, she took a lift down to the level below. The Pearl crew was there, chatting with each other and with Therrak's servants at a long table beneath a thatched pavilion. Kolbat was trading stories with Leilas, Therrak's wife, and Darva was teaching Therrak how to play arja.

Enfri walked underneath the thatched canopy of their small feast. Zette came awake in her arms and clambered up to her shoulder. The little monkey gave a powerful yawn that nearly split his head in half, and he draped himself lazily across the back of her neck.

The music she'd heard before had grown louder, and Enfri felt drawn to the source. At the foot of the table, a huge Aleesh man with a kind face strummed on a lute so small that it almost appeared comical while held by a man of such girth. She'd seen Izria Fourth Summit around the manor. Therrak employed him as a housekeeper and, it appeared, a bard. Izria's curly blond hair was tied into a topknot, his eyes were closed, and his thick fingers caressed the strings of the musical instrument to coax out his song. But it was his voice that pulled at Enfri. So high and pure, wistful and heartfelt. Even as the aviators and their hosts ate and spoke with one another, the song held them. Odjualla and Landon listened as if they'd forgotten the food in front of them on the table.

Izria's eyes opened and fell on Enfri. He gave her a small nod and a wink as he continued to perform. Enfri couldn't help but smile back.

She gestured to keep the crew from rising at her approach. They came halfway out of their seats and offered salutes and knuckled foreheads before returning to the feast. Enfri stood at Darva's back and listened to Izria sing. The tune was gentle and lulled Zette back to sleep.

Enfri didn't know how long she stayed there like that, absorbing the music and imagining the dancing spirits and lights Shoen described. As time passed, she almost felt like she could see it. She was so entranced by the song that she took little notice of the lift rising from the jungle floor.

She glanced up and saw Tola step onto the landing. He had what looked like a hooded shawl around his shoulders to guard against the rain, and he was accompanied by six others. They were similarly hooded and must have been more of his huntsmen. Below their shawls, they wore little enough that Enfri assumed that they were three men and three women of higher summits. Though, one of the women looked much younger than Enfri expected a huntsman to be. Enfri didn't want a repeat of her last encounter with Tola, so she looked away from him to focus on how delicately Izria played his miniature lute.

Zette must have caught his master's scent. He came awake and jumped from her shoulder to run to Tola. Halfway there, the monkey stopped short, arched his back, and scurried back to Enfri.

Who could say why monkeys did what they did? Enfri wondered if she was feeding Zette too often and spoiling him rotten. She hardly thought she could be blamed. Monkeys were just so blustering cute.

The newcomers offered Therrak slight bows as they came onto his property, and he gave them nods of greeting in return. Tola then went to his father and knelt at his side to speak in his ear.

"Of course, my son," Therrak said quietly before getting back to his arja match with Darva. "Your guests are mine."

"My thanks, Father," Tola said. He rose to his feet and glanced furtively towards Enfri before going to sit elsewhere.

Enfri wondered if she ought try to make more of an effort with Tola. He was, after all, the first Aleesh of Chaya Domun she ever met. Not counting Odjualla, of course. He'd also welcomed her into his home, even if it hadn't really been his decision. Whatever the case, Enfri didn't want to be at odds with more of her people than she had to be. Maybe she could start rebuilding bridges by getting to know some of Tola's friends that he'd brought to dinner.

She sought one of them out and found him settling in to listen to Izria's music. The man removed his hood and set a battered fedora in its place.

Enfri tensed.

Another of Tola's guests sidled in beside Enfri and removed her hood. Enfri froze, unwilling to turn and face her. Zette squeaked with fright and darted away.

Members of the crew were catching wind of the situation. They started rising to their feet. Kolbat hissed Darva's name and stood, an alchemical spell in her hand. The dragon rose in the same moment his Pearl Knight did, his hands clenched into fists. Therrak stood sharply. His eyes were agape as he looked between Enfri and the woman at her side. Izria's music cut short.

"Don't go stoppin' the music on my account," Elise purred near to Enfri's ear. "I don't mean to interrupt."

Deliberate, Enfri turned her body to face her aunt. They stood less than half a foot apart, and Elise was a little more than half a foot taller. Elise smirked down at Enfri, clearly pleased with herself for taking them all by surprise.

Her minimal raiment was scarlet and embroidered with gold. Fine chains of silver and platinum hung from her neck, waist, and wrists. She wore her beautifully voluminous hair in a high tail, and her lips were colored blood red. Next to Enfri, she appeared so collected. So assured. She presented herself as an Aleesh empress of old, and a far more grand one than the bashful and plainly dressed girl in front of her.

"What do you want?" Enfri asked quietly.

Elise clucked her tongue. "You need to work on your etiquette. Here I thought you invited me."

The others who arrived with Tola doffed their hoods. Other than Cardin, Elise had a dark-skinned man with citrines on his bracers, a scrawny-looking Amethyst with a weaselly face, a slender and lithe Emerald who looked uncomfortable baring as much skin as she was, and a skinny Beryl who Enfri recognized.

Elise followed Enfri's gaze to the young girl. She took gliding steps to stand behind the girl and put her hands on her shoulders. The girl didn't blink. She just stared at Enfri, and there was malice in her eyes. "I see you remember Temri. My Beryl Knight was quite cross with you for not allowin' her to have her fun."

Cardin and the Amethyst sniggered.

Elise came from behind Temri and walked up to Enfri again, swaying her hips with every step. "My foolish niece. As before, as from the beginning, you are just too easy to get the drop on."

"You took my offer of truce as an excuse to ambush me?" Enfri demanded.

Elise flicked her wrist in a dismissive gesture. "It was more... a whim." Her smile was a mocking one. "Someone needed to be reminded of just which of us has the power."

Enfri grimaced. She could tell that Elise was enjoying herself and obviously believed she and her knights were awfully intimidating. Well, two could play at that game. She took in a single, short breath before speaking. "Darva, my weapon."

The Corsair retrieved Enfri's spear from his holding spell and flung it towards her. The white spearhead trailed electrical discharge as it flew through the air. Enfri caught it one-handed. Elise backed away from her in surprise, but she remained too close to defend herself. Enfri put her spear's haft behind Elise's ankles and tripped her. Elise sprawled on her backside with Enfri now looming over her.

Enfri, her eyes cold, stared down her nose at her aunt with the spear ready to drive downward.

It happened too quickly for Elise's knights to react in time to stop her before they were overpowered. Kolbat had Cardin in an arm lock with his face pushed against the table inside of two seconds. Darva backhanded the Citrine and sent him sprawling. The Emerald and Beryl didn't dare move while a dozen crossbows came out from under the table to cover them. They were ordered down to their knees. Lastly, Izria brained the Amethyst across the face with his lute. The bard's considerable bulk leant him a great deal of force, and the blow flung Elise's weaselly knight into a head-over-heels flight across the dinner table.

Enfri winced at the horrid sound the instrument made in its last performance. She made a mental note to cover the cost of a replacement. But for now, someone else required her full attention.

"It seems you trained your knights for theatrics," she said to Elise, who remained seated on the ground and stared back up at her with a shocked look on her face. "Mine are trained to fight. Every one of my armsmen has drilled for weeks to face arcanists, and they all know what to expect from a dragon bond. As before, as from the beginning, you are outclassed."

Elise snarled and made as if to rise. She stopped short as Enfri pressed the spear to the center of her chest, eliciting a hiss of pain. The weapon was held steady as a rock, aimed for her heart.

"Thank you, Elise," Enfri said, raising her brow. "I did need a reminder of which of us has more power."

Enfri saw it again. Deep in Elise's eyes, she saw fear.

One push, Enfri thought. One inch forward, and Adar is free. All her knights lose their bonds. Her dragons will never be punished again. Justice for the Order and the thousands of innocent people she murdered. One push, and it's over.

And in the process, she would prove to Chaya Domun that she was no different from Shoen. One claimant killing another, just as it had been in the Empire of Scales. It was like the last time Enfri found herself in this situation, a spear in her hands and Elise defenseless, she felt as if she could drive her weapon home, kill her last blood relation, and accept any consequence. Shoen had stopped her then. That he didn't try now, that he and the other spooks didn't say a word, left her feeling cold. They wanted this.

All that nonsense earlier from Shoen... Maybe Elise was losing favor with the spooks. They couldn't have been happy with her for Moran Valley, so perhaps they really had started thinking of Enfri as the better choice for furthering their goals for Shan Alee.

If that was true, Enfri didn't like what that said of her.

Enfri glanced over her shoulder. Therrak and Leilas looked on, horrified. Tola had his hand on his sword pommel but didn't draw it so long as Enfri's crew had crossbows at the ready.

"My manners," Enfri said, looking back at Elise. "Here I am, a guest in my host's home and quarreling with another of his guests. I did hear him extend hospitality to you through Tola."

She grounded the butt of her spear and offered forth her hand. Elise regarded it as if it were a hissing serpent.

"This isn't the time for pride," Enfri said quietly, for Elise's ears alone. "We have demons to fight, don't we?"

Elise reached up and took her hand, but she then gripped it tight and pulled Enfri a little closer. "It was a mistake takin' your weapon off me. I could burn you to cinders, and you don't have any of your little potions."

Enfri transmuted the air around Elise, forcing energy into it until the essences of wind seemed ready to scream for mercy. With a thought, she could make every ounce of it burst into flame.

"I don't need potions," Enfri said, deathly soft. "Now stand up, or stay down forever."

Elise's grip slackened, and Enfri took that as leave to haul her to her feet. At a word, Kolbat and the crew stood down and let Elise's knights back up. The Citrine was a tad groggy, but he apparently drew healing to recover. The Amethyst, however, would need a few minutes before he was capable of much more than groaning. Enfri tossed Darva her spear and led the way towards the lift up to the manor.

"By your leave, Therrak, might I convene with my aunt in your hall?"

"Of... of course."

Enfri nodded graciously to him and stepped onto the lift. She raised an eyebrow at Elise. "Coming?"

Elise's hands were clenched into fists, and Enfri could almost hear her teeth grinding together. Her cheeks were darkening, and she avoided Enfri's stare.

I humiliated her, Enfri thought, and that wasn't the first time. Winds, but I don't think there's ever going to be a chance for making amends.

Briefly, Enfri wondered if she even wanted to. Elise was her blood, but Enfri had come to realize that blood was by no means a prerequisite for being family. It was proven to be insufficient qualification on its own merit, in Enfri's experience.

Then again, as Elise sullenly got onto the lift with her, Enfri remembered how it had felt, meeting Elise for the first time. Before she'd known what her aunt was really like, Enfri had looked at her, and she'd... adored her. Foolishly so and without questioning it like she should've, but Enfri had been so blustering happy to be held in Elise's arms.

Enfri knew she was never going to feel that exact sort of happiness again. Of being held by her own flesh and blood and feeling wanted. Of holding them in return and wanting them just as badly. It was impossible. Elise hated her now.

As the lift took them upwards, Enfri felt justified in mourning the relationship she might have had with Elise had Fate been kinder.

"Don't forget, girl," Elise growled, "I have more dragons here than you do. I could bring them down any time I want."

"You won't," Enfri replied, "because you want our people to choose you. They won't do that after you start burning their homes, no more than they'd choose me if I made a coat rack out of you."

Elise scowled. "You've got an answer for everythin'."

"I can't imagine why you'd say that as if it's a bad thing."

Elise gripped the lift's railing until her knuckles turned white, and Enfri was struck by how much it hurt to see Elise angry with her. She turned away and put her hand over her heart. It was thundering in her chest, painfully.

"I hate..." she managed to say before she almost lost control of her emotions.

Elise looked at her sidelong. After a moment, she turned away again. "No surprise there. We got here different ways, and you haven't learned the same lessons I have. Of course you hate me."

"No," Enfri said, giving her head a shake. "I hate how much I still want to love you."

Elise didn't respond. She continued to stare out at the rainfall as they rose higher.

"I hate that I'm like this," Enfri continued, her back to Elise. "I was the same way with my mother. No matter how cruel she was, I kept trying to get on her good side. But no, it was always how useless I was. I kept thinking if I was just good enough, I could make her love me. But it was never enough, and whenever I thought I was gaining ground, she'd pull the rug out from under me again. I hated it."

Elise grunted. "Your mother was a bitch."

Enfri blinked in surprise.

"Were I there to catch her treatin' you like that, I'd've ripped her arms off."

Strangely, Enfri believed her. "I suppose you are one to look after your knights."

"You're no knight," Elise said quietly. "Not just a knight," she amended. "You're my brother's little girl. Whatever you think, that matters to me."

"Twice, you had the chance to kill me," Enfri said. "You didn't."

Elise leaned out over the railing. "Maybe it's because I keep thinkin', if I try hard enough, I can get you to realize my way is right." She sighed. "You could've finished me, too. Twice now."

Enfri couldn't truthfully give the same reasons. The only reason she hadn't killed Elise was because she was prevented from doing it. Enfri looked down at her feet and didn't give an answer to the implied question.

The lift came to a stop near the entrance to Therrak's manor. Enfri got off and opened the door for Elise. Once inside, Elise gave the hall a pass with her eyes as if searching out places an assailant might be hiding. She didn't turn to face Enfri until the door was closed.

"You told Cardin you want a truce," she said, getting to the heart of the matter. "I'll listen to what you got to say. And don't worry 'bout anyone listenin' in. I put up a privacy ward."

Enfri took a deep breath to steady herself. "I don't want to fight you. I can't afford to. We have stronger enemies than each other."

Elise gave a nod. "Althandor."

"No," Enfri said, raising her voice. "Not Althandor. The old masters."

"So you can listen," Elise chuckled. "At least Grandfather managed to pass that much on. The thing is, girl, there's nothin' to be done about demons until our people are safe. The only threat the Aleesh know of is the threat of the Highest King. We destroy him, and then we can worry about demons."

"How can you act like you can do that?" Enfri demanded. "You can't even beat me, and you're going to take on the legions of Althandor?"

Elise raised her chin and sneered. "Who said anythin' about the legions? I'm gonna kill Cathis. I'll kill every Algara. Cut off the head, and the rest of the beast dies."

Enfri shook her head. "That's what the demons want. They're trying to destroy the Five Kingdoms, and attacking House Algara is the fastest way to do that."

"Ah," Elise said, and a smile quirked at the corner of her mouth. "Is that what your hold-up is? You think I'm just gonna let the Five Kingdoms fall after I kill the king?" Elise chuckled and drew closer. She walked behind Enfri and glided her fingertips across Enfri's shoulders. "Imagine this with me. The Algaras are all dead. Anyone who isn't celebratin' over it just doesn't care. No one will be overly sorry to see them go. But, who rules then?"

Enfri rolled her eyes and endeavored not to flinch away from Elise's touch. "If I'm playing along with this delusion, then... one of the other elder houses would assume the mantle."

Elise laughed. "Which? The Nadian Algaras are led by a decrepit fool, and the rest of them are so busy squabblin' for his favor, they forgot there's anythin' beyond their thick walls. The Marcels? Half of them are captives of tiger lords, and half of the rest are ashes. The Akazewis..." Elise gave a pleased hum. "Not much there anymore, from what I hear. Good work, by the way. As for the Karsts and Romovs, why, they follow you now."

Enfri narrowed her eyes. "What are you trying to say?"

Elise came back around to stand in front of Enfri. She stood with a hand on her hip in an arrogant posture. "There are no elder houses anymore. Not any with enough power to seize control, anyways. There's maybe a half-dozen in the client kingdoms still gasping for air, but let's be honest, if any of them could make themselves a threat, they'd've done so by now. That just leaves us. The Dragon Empress rules in House Algara's place."

Enfri shook her head. "I won't do it."

"Why not? I can tell by that self-satisfied way you walk around now, like all the world owes you a favor. You know you can rule the world better than anyone else can."

"You don't know anything about me," Enfri said. "Especially if you think I disregard what others have to say. I know others are wiser than I am."

"If that's so," Elise said, leaning closer, "you'll listen to me. So long as Althandor is ruled by House Algara, Aleesh will die by the thousands."

"Not anymore," Enfri said adamantly. "Never again. I'm changing that."

Elise snorted. "And how's that? By swearing fealty to an Algara princess?"

It sounded like some of the elders were spreading tales to Elise. No point hiding it if that was the case. "Yes."

"And all it'll take is helping her depose her father," Elise said.

Enfri, blindsided, took a step back. "How'd you know about that?"

"You'd be surprised by what I know," Elise said with a smirk. "Plan to help pretty Maya with her little coup? And you say I'm the one who's gonna lead our people into a battle they can't win."

"I was wrong," Enfri whispered. "I thought the traitor was working for the demons. They're working for you!"

Elise winked. "Surprised? Really? Do you honestly know who you can trust in your perfect, little empire?"

Enfri took a step towards her. "Who is it? Is it Darian?"

"The exile? Maybe it is, maybe it isn't. Seems you have all sorts of trouble. A steward working for the Espallans, the fealty you can't let Cathis learn about, a Diamond Knight brought back from the dead, a duchess you desperately want everyone to think is dead, a selkie you sent to the other side of the world to beg for help, and yet another Algara princess..."

"Stop it!" Enfri shouted.

Elise's smile broadened. "A princess you say you're in love with, half dead because she's near out of her drug of choice."

Enfri felt her knuckles crack, she was clenching her fists so tightly.

"Maybe I should get my hands on some of this oren," Elise said thoughtfully. "I wonder, if I dangled some in front of your betrothed, would she then say she's in love with me?" She laughed. "I don't like keeping strung-out slaves, but I'd make an exception for sweet Jin. I'll even let her kiss my feet if she's a good, little daan."

Enfri had heard enough. Angry past reason, she stalked towards Elise. She meant to slap that vile smirk right off her lips.

Before she took a second step, Elise lunged forward, and there was a sharp pain beneath Enfri's throat. A gasp tore from Enfri's lungs, and she felt her ether freeze in her bloodstream. She couldn't move.

"Not so scary without your spear?" Elise cooed. She lay her chin on Enfri's shoulder and sighed "Dekaam were made to fight uppity brats like you. You'll find I'm very good with needles. Particularly where to needle your raw nerves and make you lose all sense."

Enfri grit her teeth with frustration. Elise had listed every sore spot she could think of until she sensed a weakness, then pushed harder. That was all it took, and Enfri lost all control over herself.

"Where should I start?" Elise asked. "Tear out your bond with the silver, like I did to your Ruby? Or, should I just rip a hole in your imprint and let the ether leak out? You might die, but you'll never work any sort of magic again."

Elise stepped back and pulled the spike free from Enfri's skin. "But, that wouldn't be nice, seein' as we've got this 'truce', now would it?"

Enfri held a hand to her throat and coughed. "What are you talking about?"

"Truce, girl," Elise repeated, her brow rising. "Flames, I get you're slow on the uptake, but that is why I'm here. Hard as it is to admit, you're closer to havin' an Aleesh kingdom than I am. You got the legion, you got the dragons, and you got the experts. Now listen, because I'm just gonna say it the one time, but right now, you're the stronger claimant."

Enfri narrowed her eyes, wary.

"So, let's talk about this truce. I stay out of your way. I won't make trouble for you on the frontier, and I'll also agree that the Aleesh here will be safer there under your dragons' protection than they'll ever be here in the Reach. Whoever the elders choose, the people go with you."

"What's the catch?" Enfri asked.

"Build your empire. Defend it, because you will have to defend it. Keep callin' yourself the Dragon Empress, because that's what the rest of the world needs to think. I'll stay out of your hair." Elise's eyes darkened. "And you stay out of mine. When Maya calls to you for help, you pretend you didn't hear. I'll take care of the rest."

Enfri backed up a step. "You're not listening to me. I'm saying that's what the demons want you to do."

"Not the way I'll do it," Elise said. "Or, you could send your Arcane Knights, but you help the other side. You come and help me do what has to be done."

Enfri was getting breathless.

"Think of it," Elise said in a soft tone. "You and I could put an end to all this war. The Aleesh will be safe for the first time in centuries. No one will hunt us anymore, because we will be at the top of the tower. We just need to first toss off the tyrant already there." She came towards Enfri, slowly, and pointedly put her Dekaam spike back in its place behind her waist band. Her tone changed, almost pleading. "You'll be my heir, as you should've been from the start. I'll spare who you ask me to spare. I'll do whatever you ask me to do. Just... come with me, Enfri."

Elise was within arm's reach. She raised her hand and held it next to Enfri's cheek, just shy of making contact. Her eyes searched Enfri's face, and Enfri could see a longing within them. It was like the fear from before, but this was fear of something else. Of being denied.

It shouldn't have taken Enfri so long to realize. They were both damaged. They both harbored pain from difficult childhoods. They'd both had things done to them they didn't deserve. But most of all, Enfri realized that Elise wanted to love her just as much as Enfri wanted to love Elise.

That made this so much harder.

"I can't," Enfri said. "I won't. I gave my fealty to Maya, and my oaths matter to me. I will serve her for the promise that she'll protect Shan Alee and the Aleesh when she's queen."

Elise let her hand fall to her side. "And when she betrays you?" she asked.

"Maya?"

"It's what Algaras do," Elise said. "I wish you didn't have to learn it firsthand."

"There's another way." Enfri looked down at her feet. "You could... join me?"

Elise hesitated. "They'll never allow that."

Without warning, Enfri sniffled. Winds take her.

"My war's already begun, Enfri," Elise said. "There's no stoppin' it. Say I did come with you, the Algaras would rip the world apart to kill us both. Your one saving grace with them is that you're not me."

Enfri averted her eyes. She'd expected nothing less.

"Until then," Elise said, "we're agreed. It'll be a while before I make my move against Cathis, so we're at peace for as long as it takes me to get my knights ready for it." She looked towards the door and clucked her tongue. "Clearly, I've been too soft on the dolts."

"A truce," Enfri affirmed, "but it'll be a..."

"A temporary one," Elise said. "I suppose we should talk now about what we're givin' up? It's not a real truce until everyone's unhappy about it."

Despite herself, Enfri snorted. She imagined Pacifica would faint if she heard something like that.

Elise sighed and made a flippant gesture by waving her hand around. "Out with it, then. What do you want out of me?"

"Adar," Enfri said quietly.

"Take him," Elise snapped. "His golden arse just undermines me, and I can't prove it."

Enfri gasped. "As easy as that?"

"No loss," Elise said with a grimace. A blatant lie. "I can't turn my back on that one, and I'll need a dragon I can trust."

"Still seems too easy," Enfri muttered.

"Not easy at all," Elise said with a shake of her head. "There's also what I want from you."

Enfri braced herself.

Elise eyed her angrily. "I'm givin' you your gold back, so you better live up to your side."

"Tell me what my side is, and I might."

Why in the name of the king was Elise blushing? She crossed her arms and held herself as if nervous.

"I need your... help," Elise said haltingly. "Flames take us both, I need a midwife."