Jonass gaze shifted to see that Magnuss expression was grim.

Im getting so damn sick of magic, the prince muttered. And everything else over which I have absolutely no control.

Its lovely to see you again too, Prince Magnus, Ashur said with a nod.

So kind of you to find us, your grace, Nic addressed Ashur, his voice without any respect. Id begun to think youd grown gills and a tail and started to swim back to Kraeshia.

Not today, Im afraid, Ashur replied curtly.

Perhaps tomorrow.

Perhaps.

Shall we tell everyone about your phoenix resurrection now or later? Nic asked.

Ashurs expression tensed at Nics acidic tone. It seems to me, Nicolo, that there are more pressing matters at hand. Im right, arent I, King Gaius?

The attention of the group returned to the king, who was hunched over next to his mother. Indeed you are, Prince Ashur.

An alliance against my sister.

Will that be a problem for you?

No. Provided you dont kill her, thats not a problem at all.

Wait, Felix said from his position by the fireplace. You know I was counting on killing her. Are you really going to take that away from me?

Ashur shot Felix a stony look.

Fine. Its a topic well save for another day, Felix said.

Prince Ashur, you are the rightful heir to your fathers title, the king said. Take it from Amara, and all of this could be over.

And youre now her husband, Ive heard. Why arent you by her side, guiding her decisions?

Its not that simple for me anymore.

Nothing important is ever simple, is it?

The King of Blood wants us to work as a team, Jonas said, shaking his head. Its the most ridiculous thing Ive ever heard. Thats not what I want.

Gaius let out a breath of frustration. I know very well what you want, rebel. You want me to die. Well, I assure you, I will be dead soon enough.

Gaius . . . his mother hissed. I wont have you speaking like this. I wont!

He silenced her with a wave. My first priority is to regain control over my kingdom. Mytica does not now, nor will it ever, belong to the Kraeshian Empire.

Were it not for the magic rumored to be lying dormant here, Ashur said, I can assure you, neither Amara nor my father would have bothered with this tiny island.

I assume youre aware that Amara poisoned your father and brothers, the king countered. Shes without remorse when it comes to getting what she wants.

Nics dark laugh cut through the tension in the room. Thats funny. Without remorse, he says, as if he deems it a fault. The very man who broke my sisters neck for being in the wrong place at the wrong time. His laughter ceased all at once. You look like death, your majesty. And I can only hope youre suffering right now.

You wont talk to the king that way, Cassian. It was Milo, the guard, who said this.

Nic glared across the room at him. Or what? Are you going to get your friend to help beat me up?

Milo smiled while cracking his knuckles. I can do it myself just fine.

Thought you were wasting away in the dungeon.

The guards smile darkened. I have you to thank for that, dont I?

You do. Nics eyes narrowed. What are you going to do about it, Milo?

So many things. Give me time.

Milo, is it? Listen to me very carefully. Ashurs voice was low, like the quiet snarl of a caged beast. If you ever attempt to harm Nicolo, I swear I will personally skin you alive.

Jonass eyes shot to Milo. He saw that Milos only reply to this threat was a surprised blink.

Cleo spoke then to the king, after glancing worriedly between Nic and the guard. You gave Mytica to Amara, she said, disgust clear in her voice. Cant you simply take it back?

You understand nothing, the king bit out. None of you do. Emperor Cortas would have taken Mytica by force had I not acted when I did. Tens"no, hundreds of thousands would have died in that war had I not made my proposal to him.

Oh, yes, Magnus drawled. My father: the savior of us all. We should erect statues in your honor. Shame that there are already dozens of them throughout Limeros. Magnus glowered at him. Quite vain, now that I think about it. The goddess Valoria would not approve.

To the darklands with the goddess and with all the Watchers as well, the king snapped. We need none of their help to get rid of Amara.

Dont forget about Kyan, Jonas added.

The king glanced at him. Who is Kyan?

Jonas couldnt help but laugh. I would truly love to stay here and strategize with you, your highness, but I grow weary of this charade. I will not work with you now, tomorrow, or ever.

Tell me, your highness, Felix said slowly, do you still have the air Kindred?

Gaius shot him a dark look.

The air Kindred! his mother exclaimed. You have it? And you didnt tell me?

I do have it, he said simply.

Where?

Somewhere safe.

Jonas tried to catch Cleos eye, but she seemed to be occupied in a silent conversation with the prince. As they looked at one another, all amusement disappeared from Magnuss face.

If this is true, and when Im strong enough to locate my granddaughter, the woman said, then victory is ours for the taking.

Once again, Jonas laughed coldly. So thats the key to your grand plan, is it? Princess Lucia? I think youll be disappointed to see what a cold, vicious, bloodthirsty snake shes become. Then again, she is a Damora, so perhaps youll be neither surprised nor disappointed.

The old woman studied him. Jonas, is it?

Thats my name.

My name is Selia. She drew closer, the anger in her eyes now gone, as she took his hands in hers. Stay with us and learn more about our plans. I agree with my son that, despite our differences, we can still work together. Try to see this logically. Together we are strong.

Could she be right? I dont know . . .

Stay, Cleo urged. Please consider it, at least. For me.

He met her earnest cerulean eyes with his. Perhaps.

Magnus stood up. You suggest the rebels stay here? he said accusingly to his grandmother. In this very inn? Thats the worst idea Ive ever heard.

I disagree, the king said. My mother is right. We can find a compromise. A temporary one. We have the same enemy now.

Without even being sure of whether he was about to agree or disagree with either Damora, Jonas opened his mouth to speak, when a roar of fury broke the relative stillness of the meeting hall.

Footsteps thundered down the stairs, and Taran stormed into the meeting hall. In an instant, his furious gaze fixed upon Magnus.

Jonass dagger"the one the king had pulled from his chest"lay on the floor. As Jonas spotted it, so did Taran, who snatched it up in a heartbeat and closed the distance between him and the prince.

Taran arched the dagger at Magnus, but the prince caught Tarans wrist before he made contact. Cleo let out a sharp shriek.

Youre dead, Taran yelled.

Magnus fought hard to keep the blade from cutting him, but Taran had taken him by surprise and possessed the vengeance-driven rage to double his strength.

Then Felix loomed behind Taran, bringing his arm around the rebels throat and wrenching him backward. Dont make me whack you again. I lost my piece of wood.

Jonas moved to join him, wrestling the dagger from Tarans grip.

Ill kill you, Taran spat out at the prince as Felix dragged him backward. You deserve to die for what youve done!

Magnus offered no rebuttal to this. All he did was stare at the boy, his expression stony.

I think we all deserve to die for something weve done, Jonas said, relieving a bit of the tension brewing between the prince and the rebel. Or for something weve failed to do.

The prince broke his steely mask to send a glare of disbelief at Jonas. Is it only my imagination, or did you just help to save my life?

Jonas grimaced at the thought. Seems that way, doesnt it? He glanced over at Cleo. Her expression was filled with relief. Surely the princess hadnt wanted to see any more blood spill tonight, he thought. Not even Magnuss. I may be about to make a horrible mistake, one Ill regret for the rest of my life, but I have decided to accept this alliance"this temporary alliance"until Amara has been cast from these shores.

He waited for Ashurs response to this. The Kraeshian princes expression remained grim, but he nodded. I can agree to that. Amara needs to realize what shes done. Even if she feels she was in the right for her actions, it was the wrong path for her to take. I will do what I can to help you.

Good. Jonas then pointed at Taran, whom Felix still had in his grip. I understand your grief and outrage, but your lust for vengeance has no place here.

Taran scowled back at Jonas, clutching Felixs iron bar of an arm across his throat. You knew what I came here for before we left Kraeshias shores.

I did, but that doesnt mean I agreed to it. Now Ive made my decision. You will not make another attempt on Prince Magnuss life. Not while were engaged in this alliance.

Did you hear that through your battered skull? Felix asked Taran, his voice as rough as gravel as he clamped his arm tighter. Or should I repeat it to you slower?

I abandoned a rebellion to come here and avenge my brother.

A rebellion doomed to fail before it even began, Ashur added.

You dont know that.

I do. I dont take pleasure in this knowledge, but I know it. Perhaps one day the empire my father built will be torn apart, but it wont be any time soon.

Well see.

Yes, I suppose we will.

Taran shifted his angry gaze to Jonas again. You would join them freely, by your own choice?

I would, Jonas confirmed. And I urge you to consider staying as well. We could use your help. He paused. But dont misunderstand me, Taran: If you attempt to end Prince Magnuss life again, Ill end yours.

CHAPTER 15.

AMARA.

PAELSIA.

The god of fire had been very specific about where he wanted Amara to go to achieve infinite power. It was a place, he said, that was touched by magic. A place that even the immortals themselves recognized as a seat of true power.

She instructed Carlos of the change of plans. She would not be moving into the Limerian palace after all. No, instead her destination would be farther south into Paelsia, to the former compound of Chief Hugo Basilius.

Carlos didnt question these orders but instead made immediate plans. With five hundred soldiers, Amara, Nerissa, Kurtis, and Amaras captain of the guards made their journey into the central kingdom of Mytica, which Amara hadnt yet experienced.

From the window of her carriage, she gazed out with surprise as the ice and snow of Limeros melted and gave way to parched earth, dead forests, and very little wildlife.

Has it always been like this here? she asked with dismay.

Not always, your grace, Nerissa replied. Ive been told there was a time, long past, when all of Mytica from north to south was warm and temperate, always green, with only mild changes from season to season.

Why would anyone choose to live in a place like this?