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Junia was frustrated with the progress they were making. Filip had overstayed his welcome, yet he remained indecisive. With Lynne whispering in one ear and Edward in the other, he couldn't decide what to do, resulting in the subsequent indecision of the senators, too. Ulysses was spending more time with him, hunched over maps to discuss strategies or military advantages. Or, more often, he was seen talking with Ivanya or a senator with a pointed beard named Stefan. The two seemed to be more capable of working than the king, who often staggered around charming Southerners or flaunting his power. Junia thought of her own father when she saw Filip and flinched at the realisation.

Spies had confirmed by then that Audrey had killed Lachlan, but Junia was not angry at her cousin. She trusted Audrey. As well as being more mature and observant than most others her age, she was honest and honourable. If she had truly put a sword in her father, Junia assumed it was for a good reason. She refused to believe otherwise.

Junia was in her room, curled over a history book, when Ulysses entered. She spent little time with him—she spent most of her time with Cloud and Katana while he dealt with demanding nobles and scheming advisers alone.

"Any news?" Junia asked Ulysses.

"Filip is heading back to the West," Ulysses said, sitting on the bed next to her. "They cannot decide on an alliance, but they have agreed to lend us an amount of their army as payment for the food and hospitality we have offered. Filip thinks it would be best if he didn't leave his brother in charge for much longer, and he will send a messenger here at some point to confirm his final decision."

Indecisive ass, Junia thought. If only she could have convinced Lynne... but no, the woman was too stubborn to see reason.

"And Annalee?" Junia's tone was hopeful.

"Lynne doesn't trust us." Ulysses shook his head.

"Have you tried talking to her?"

"Yes. Many times. It is impossible to sway her. "

"I... just miss Annalee sometimes."

"So do I." Ulysses said, his usually tense body relaxing.

Junia found her vision blurring, and she did not know why until Ulysses leaned over, brushing the tears from her cheek.

"We'll be fine," Ulysses promised her, taking her hands and squeezing them.

"Life is so unfair."

"I know. But it will all be fixed soon."

"No, it won't. I always think it will be, but it never is."

"I'm sorry." He knew better than to promise things that would never be.

Junia was quiet for a moment, trying to gather her thoughts.

"Please. Promise me that, even after all of this, you will still be here for me. That if I lose Annalee, I won't lose you too."

Ulysses' face contorted with badly concealed emotions.

"I can't make any promises." Ulysses said. He stood, letting go of her hands. "My duty is to the South."

"Ulysses, I think we should try to negotiate with Landon." She tried to make her voice confident. "They have Malena in Northstone and..."

"She's barely two." But Junia heard the hesitation in his voice before it strengthened with resolve. "It's not worth it. I will not negotiate with the usurper unless he comes to me on his knees."

"She's your sister!" Junia's voice rose as she stood. "And she's mine, too. I don't want to lose another family member."

"I know." Ulysses' voice turned cold. "But I have a job to do."

"No, Ulysses, don't..." Junia began, but he was already gone.

She pushed the history book away and curled up in a ball, squeezing her eyes shut.

Coward, a voice whispered in her head.

She forced herself to swallow the lump in her throat and stand.

Metal into swords was the Silverling motto.

Ulysses Silverling, shining gold, her loving brother... then King Ulysses, the sharp blade, ready to shed blood.

Would the world shape her into a weapon, too?

She hurried out of her chambers, feeling sick.

Lucrezia's room had become a haven for her. The incense of candles was soothing, the warmth comfortable and familiar. Lucrezia never sent her away, and Junia often found her sitting by the fire with sewing material on her lap, staring off into the distance. She had become a role model for Junia, who adored her kindness and devout piety.

"What does it mean to put so much faith in the gods?" Junia had once asked her.

"It means I believe all life is valuable. Not to be wasted," Lucrezia had replied calmly.

The words had touched something in Junia. Lucrezia remained neutral throughout the negotiations, showing herself as a pacifist with a distaste for violence, and she could always calm Junia, who needed a stable presence more than she cared to admit. Maybe her brother's neglect and parents' death had led her to seek a mother figure elsewhere.

She knocked and soon heard an 'enter!' from inside. She opened the door to find Lucrezia sitting at a small table, her dark ringlets falling over her shoulders, framing her brown, round face.

It took her another second to take in Lynne, who sat opposite Lucrezia.

Lucrezia offered her a warm smile, showing crooked teeth, and gestured for her to come closer. The two Westerners had dressed in traditional Western clothing, both wearing a white, silky peplos embroidered along the edges with gold. They were playing cards, and Junia glanced at the table as she walked closer. A few cards were set in the centre, hand-painted in unfamiliar patterns, and Junia did not know what they meant.

Lynne put her hand face-down in front of her as soon as she caught sight of Junia.

"Oh, I'm sorry," Junia said quickly, her cheeks turning pink. "I did not mean to intrude..."

"Nonsense." Lucrezia nodded at a chair. "You can sit. We're just finishing here."

Junia obediently sat, feeling uncomfortable. Lynne's dark eyes bore into hers, merciless in their scrutiny. With slow, deliberate fingers, she picked up her hand again and dropped a card onto the deck in front of her.

"You always win," Lucrezia sighed, gathering the cards and putting them to the side. She turned to Junia and smiled. "Would you like a cup of tea?"

Junia's eyes drifted to the autumn leaves falling outside the window, caught by the wind to dance in the sky. Dead, but still beautiful.

"I'm okay, thank you," Junia said politely.

Lucrezia followed her gaze. "We will leave your dominion soon."

Junia looked back at the two women. "What will happen next?"

"I suppose we will take your ideas back to the West and call for a meeting. Then we'll debate it with the full senate," Lucrezia explained.

"Though I do not see how bellicose the people can get. To want to be involved in a war is reckless. Stupid." Lynne's eyes burned with fire. "People will die. Westerners with lives and families. For a cause that is not our problem."

Lucrezia did not speak, as Junia had expected. Junia knew that she secretly agreed with Lynne, but would not say it out loud for Junia's sake.

"We just need to get rid of Landon," Junia said evenly. "I hear he wants to extend his rule over..."

"He's seventeen years old!" Lynne snapped. Junia flinched as if she had physically slapped her. "What do you think he is capable of? His people will turn against him soon enough—leave it to Damek Westerling to throw him out of power with a coup."

"Lynne, she's just a girl," Lucrezia muttered.

"I was once, too." Lynne's fingers curled around the edge of the table. "Tell me, Junia, do you support war? Do you support life being thrown away as it is now?"

Junia tried to swallow the lump in her throat. "Your Majesty, I... I do not. I dislike war, but Landon can't..."

"Oh, to hell with Landon," Lynne sneered. "You are listening to everything your brother is telling you. He is manipulating you into thinking this is worth the blood cost. His pride was wounded at Starford Field, and now he wants revenge. Landon is probably laughing at him." Her voice became low, almost quivering in anger. "Now, how exactly are you going to defeat the joint forces of the North and the East? The East have the most disciplined military there is—maybe only equalled by that of the Free Isles, who will never join this war—and they have joined the North, whose soldiers believe in honour and are prepared to fight to the death. Your soldiers are drunk and spend half their time preening themselves whereas ours are trained for defence rather than offence. Tell me exactly how you are going to beat the North and the East, even with our help."

Tears threatened the corner of her vision, but Junia stubbornly clung on. She hadn't had a panic attack for weeks and wanted to believe that it was because she was becoming stronger. "The Free Isles might be willing to..."

"The Free Isles have never been involved in any of our wars since the Advancement Years," Lynne said. "They will not come to your aid because you beg them. At most, they will trade, but they will stay back."

"Enough," Lucrezia said sharply, glaring at Lynne.

"No, it's okay." Junia took a shaky breath and forced herself to look Lynne directly in the eye. She did not need Lucrezia to deal with the queen for her. "We will prevail. I do not care if we must use guerrilla tactics or invest more in weaponry, but we will become better. We will win."

"And why is that?" Lynne asked.

"Because we will not give up," Junia said firmly. "We will find a way."

"I'll give it to you," Lynne said. "You're optimistic." She was silent for a moment, letting the tension of the silence rest over them all. "We will consult the senators and the people. This choice is not for me to make alone." She stood gracefully. "My spies tell me that ships in the North are being mysteriously upgraded. I would advise that you keep an eye on your ports, Your Highness. An attack is coming."

She turned and strode out of the room. Lucrezia pursed her lips, then looked at Junia.

"I'm sorry. We are often blunter with our words than..." Lucrezia began.

"It's okay," Junia interrupted, biting her bottom lip, then straightening her dress. "It's okay."

Ships. If the North were sending ships... if Landon was actually mobilising...

"Excuse me, please," Junia muttered.

She felt her heart thunder as she ran to find Ulysses.

Ooh three chapters left until Part IV, which is definitely my favourite part ( or part five )

Love you all,

Shelly M x