“You’re healed!” I blurted, the words jumping out as I stared at her.

  “Tiberius?” she said at the exact same moment, her voice rising in disbelief.

  I clamped my mouth shut, letting her take the lead. She stepped closer, the torchlight catching her face. Still Malvina, but standing tall, no trace of any injury.

  “I can walk, but I’m not healed,” she said, catching my expectant look. “Not fully.”

  I shook my head, her answer half-mystifying me. “I guess there’s a story there, but honestly, I’m just glad to see you doing okay.” Relief washed through me, warm and unexpected. After all the setbacks, seeing her upright felt like a scrap of good luck I didn’t deserve.

  “At least one of us is,” she shot back, a dry edge to her tone. “You’re in a cell. They want to execute you.”

  I waved a hand, scoffing. “Please. I could escape anytime I wanted. I’m here to deliver an urgent message for the council.”

  She tilted her head, smirking faintly. “So that’s why you’re showing such uncharacteristic patience.”

  “This is life-and-death stuff,” I quipped. “Patience is my middle name now.”

  “Huh. Life and death,” she said, crossing her arms. “Do tell, since I’m on the council.”

  I blinked, caught off guard. “You’re kidding me.”

  “Nope.” She shrugged, casual as if she’d just mentioned the weather. “After Tara died, each tribe picked a leader for the council. I helped take her down, and my parents were known for opposing her, so I got the gig.”

  “Don’t you have to be an adult or something?” I teased, raising a brow.

  “Hey, I’m twenty…almost,” she retorted, mock-offended.

  I grinned, then frowned. “How’d they even find you? Last I saw, you were on another continent.”

  “After Tara bit it, our people dropped the isolationist act,” she explained. “They sent undercover envoys to big cities and nations. I spotted one in Whitestone. The next thing I knew, I was back here.”

  “Well, it’s good to hear you’re stepping out of your comfort zone,” I said, letting a hint of ominous weight creep in. “Because that’s why I’m here.”

  She nodded, a spark of interest lighting her eyes. “I heard something about Malachor clashing with the trolls. People here are thrilled. Our two enemies tearing each other apart for the first time anyone can remember.” She sounded downright pleased, a faint smile tugging at her lips.

  That sank my stomach. I’d figured Malachor wasn’t their favorite, but I’d hoped it was more abstract. Old grudges, not active cheering for our graves. This was a tougher sell than I’d thought. I took a breath and started catching her up, laying out the eastern flank’s collapse, the trolls’ envelopment, Tyre’s looming fall. She listened, her face hardening as the picture got grim.

  When I finished, she sighed. “I’ll be honest, Tiberius. We’re taught from birth that Malachor and the trolls are the enemy. Sure, hindsight says Tara played that up to keep us in line, but still, helping you in battle? Fighting side by side? You’re not convincing anyone here.”

  “If Tyre falls, you’re next,” I said, leaning forward, voice low.

  “I get that,” she replied, unflinching. “But we’ve survived in this desert for centuries. People won’t leave to fight for an enemy. Not Malachor.”

  I managed a weak smile. “I figured as much. Still, I need some optimism, maybe an angle to nudge the odds my way.”

  Malvina looked deep in thought, her expression softening. “The only thing I can think of is that we actually fight the trolls. Malachor is more like a cautionary tale,” she said, her voice steady but tinged with doubt.

  I seized the opening. “Can you at least give me a chance to address the council, even if it’s a long shot? It’s the least I can do for Alira.” My chest tightened as I spoke her name. Alira’s face flashed in my mind, weary but determined, counting on me to pull this off. I couldn’t let her down, not after everything.

  Malvina sighed, her eyes holding mine. “Of course. You did kill Tara. I can vouch for that. Don’t be afraid to mention it, even multiple times if necessary. You have no idea how many lives you saved by ending her.” Her words carried a quiet gratitude I hadn’t expected.

  That lifted my spirits, a rare spark of light in the gloom. I’d forgotten I’d left some good in my wake amid all the chaos. “Thank you for reminding me,” I said, managing a faint smile. “Things have a tendency to crash around me these days.”

  She tilted her head, a familiar warmth in her gaze. “I still believe in you. Good people are hard to find. Even now, you’re trying to save a kingdom. How’s Alira, by the way? Did you finally stop ignoring the obvious?” A playful smile crept onto her lips.

  I mirrored it, warmth spreading through me at the thought. “After we were alone, it got harder to ignore,” I admitted. My mind drifted to those quiet moments with Alira, the tension melting into something softer, something real.

  Malvina laughed, light and genuine. “Thank the gods. You two looked so cute together, especially with those quips you aimed at each other.”

  My smile widened. “She’s fine, all things considered. You’ve got more in common than you think. She’s on a council too, leading Malachor. I’m here on her orders.” I couldn’t help but feel a flicker of pride.

  “Orders? Really?” Malvina raised an eyebrow, skeptical.

  “There weren’t many who could get here fast and handle your powers,” I said, keeping it vague.

  “How fast are we talking?” she asked, curiosity piqued. I grinned and explained my portal ability, how I’d jumped from the capital to this desert in a blink of an eye.

  “By yourself? That’s impossible,” she said, eyes wide, disbelief etched across her face.

  “After I talk to the council, I’ll report to Alira. I’ll open a portal to speak with her. You can stay if you want. She’d love a friendly voice.”

  “Yes, I’d like that,” Malvina said, her tone brightening.

  A lull settled in, and my curiosity bubbled up. “So how’d you do it? I searched for healing spells, even patched one together once. But nothing for the spine.” My mind raced back to those frantic days, trying to fix her injuries.

  “I followed your advice,” she said simply.

  “Really?” I blinked, caught off guard.

  “You always said to think outside the box,” she mused, a faint smile playing on her lips.

  I chuckled, the sound echoing off the stone. “That does sound like me.”

  “With all that free time stuck with my thoughts, I realized no one else would help,” she continued. “So I figured I could help myself.” She paused, letting me stew, and I didn’t mind. After what I’d dragged her into, she’d earned a little gloating.

  “If I could blood-bend others, as you put it, why not myself?” she added.

  “That’s brilliant,” I said, awe creeping in. “So far outside the box, you can barely see it.”

  She laughed, a sound that eased the cell’s gloom. “Thank you. I’m proud of that one. It took time, but control came slowly. Now most people can’t even tell.”

  “That’s amazing,” I said again, my thoughts spinning with admiration. Malvina had turned her own ruin into strength. There was a lesson in there somewhere.

  Malvina took a seat on the stone bench, her eyes narrowing with curiosity. “So did you find what you were looking for in Enroth?” she asked, her tone casual but edged with something deeper.

  I nodded, sitting beside her. “I did, actually, in the end.” A flicker of satisfaction stirred in me. Those grueling days hadn’t been for nothing, even if they’d left scars.

  “And?” she pressed, leaning forward. “Can you tell me now? You have no idea how infuriating it was not knowing.” Her voice carried that old spark of impatience I remembered too well.

  “I can imagine,” I said, buying a moment to think. How much should I say? My mind churned, weighing the risks. She deserved something after all this time, but the full truth could tangle her up in messes she didn’t need. “I can’t give you the exact details. For your own good. But,” I added quickly, cutting off the protest I saw brewing, “what we did brought the end of the gods.”

  She didn’t flinch, which I’d expected. She’d seen what I could do. Still, doubt creased her brow. “You’re not messing with me?” she asked, her voice quieter now, searching mine.

  “I’m not telling you to brag,” I said, softening my tone to reassure her. “I’m telling you because what we did had consequences.” My stomach knotted as I spoke.

  “I’m listening,” she said, her gaze steady, urging me on.

  I took a breath, diving in. “A few gods escaped destruction by taking human flesh or mortal, I suppose. I’ve met some. Alira’s crossed paths with one too. And we think the trolls are led by a demi-god, as we’ve started calling them.” The words felt heavy, each one a brick in the wall of trouble I’d built.

  Her mouth dropped open, shock plain on her face. “That’s… a lot to process,” she managed, blinking like she could shake it off.

  “Now you know what we’re up against,” I said, my voice low. “And why we’re losing, even though I’ve tried to help.”

  “Truly life and death,” she said at last, echoing my earlier quip with a weight that sank into me. “I hope you convince them. Though I’d skip the part about killing gods. Even I’m struggling with that one.”

  “I never said I killed them,” I corrected, a faint grin tugging at me. “Someone else did the deed. I was more of a bodyguard.” Admitting it was Alira would sound even wilder. Malvina might laugh me out of the cell, so I kept it vague. Bodyguard felt right, anyway; I’d taken the hits so others could strike.

  She blinked, refocusing after a moment. “I’ll see you get a meeting with the council,” she said, snapping back to business.

  “How long will it take?” I asked, my mind already ticking through the hours Tyre had left.

  Support the author by searching for the original publication of this novel.

  “I’ll make sure they’re ready tomorrow,” she said. “I know every day counts.” Her resolve steadied me, a lifeline in the chaos.

  “Thank you,” I said, then lifted my bound wrists. “Now, are these really necessary?” The rope didn’t chafe, but it made my hands rest in a weird position, a petty annoyance in the grand scheme of things, but one I’d rather get rid of.

  She smirked. “I guess not.” She called out, and a guard slipped in, slicing the bindings free with a quick flick of a blade. I rubbed my elbows, relief seeping in.

  “Any food around here?” I asked, stretching my arms. “Jumping around mesas all day looking for this place didn’t leave much time to eat.” My backpack hung light on my shoulder, mostly water, barely a scrap of rations. I hadn’t planned on a desert marathon.

  “Jumping around?” she asked, her brow arching. “And yeah, they wanted me to ask how you found the city.”

  I grinned, heading to the door. “I’ll tell you all about it on the way to the food.” My stomach growled, and my mind eased a fraction. I followed her out, already plotting how to sell this alliance without sounding like a madman.

  ─── ????? ───

  Sleep hadn’t come easy, my mind a whirlwind of half-formed plans and restless doubts, rehearsing what I’d say to the council. If I failed today, thousands in Tyre would die. To be fair, a lot of people were going to die even if I succeeded. There was no point to these kinds of thoughts, all they did was bring more misery.

  In the end, I decided to wing it. Read their reactions, push what stuck, ditch what didn’t. It wasn’t a strategy, but it was all I had.

  Malvina had come through, at least. After a lunch I barely tasted with some gritty bread and dried meat, I paced the room, waiting. When the aide finally appeared, a wiry kid with a curt nod, I followed him out, my boots echoing on the stone floor. He led me through twisting tunnels to a hall that wasn’t grand but had a stark impressiveness, its ceiling soaring high above, carved from the rock itself. Eleven council members sat at a crescent-shaped table, Malvina at the far right, her face a quiet anchor in the sea of strangers. I stopped in the middle, facing them. No one glared outright, so I took it as a decent start.

  “Thank you for seeing me on short notice,” I said, keeping my voice steady.

  The man in the center, the oldest by far with a face like weathered leather, spoke first. “Malvina presented us with the letter from Malachor,” he said, his tone measured. I nodded, waiting to see where I’d have to dig in. “Though surprisingly generous with its offer, I’m afraid it’s not enough.”

  I bit back a grimace. If they were dead-set against it, they wouldn’t have bothered with me. “The letter just lays out terms they’re willing to start with,” I said, meeting his gaze. “I’m here to give you the bigger picture.”

  “Picture?” a councilwoman to his left asked, her brow arching.

  I rolled my eyes at my own slip. “Sorry, a picture’s a painting that’s extremely realistic, back where I’m from,” I said, brushing it off. My nerves were fraying already, and I hadn’t even started.

  “Then make your case for this alliance,” the old man said, folding his hands.

  I launched into the rundown I’d given Malvina. Eastern flank gone, trolls new allies, Tyre’s walls trembling. My mind raced as I spoke, watching their faces for flickers of belief or scorn. I skipped the god-killing part and stuck to what I could sell. They listened, patient enough, which kept me going.

  “And you want us to believe a so-called demi-god rules Ascalon and the trolls?” a man near the middle cut in when I finished, his voice thick with doubt.

  “Unfortunately, yes,” I said, leaning forward. “Look at the trolls. First time in history they’ve united under one leader. That takes power no ordinary troll or human could wield.”

  “That is conjecture at best, not evidence,” another voice announced. I could already tell she would be my biggest obstacle. Evidence in times like these? What did she want, a signed confession from a demi-god?

  “I’ve seen someone shatter a fort’s walls in minutes with a spell,” I said, my tone darkening for effect. “I’m a mage myself. No mere mortal, human or troll, could accomplish that," I said, trying to sound ominous.

  “Maybe you’re easily impressed,” she replied, her voice cool, a faint smirk tugging at her lips.

  I couldn’t afford to look weak. Not now, not with the stakes this high. “You know what else impressed me?” I said, staring her down. “How powerful Tara seemed when I dueled her and four of her friends. I’ve gotten better since then, seen things you wouldn’t believe. And that spell? It’d be devastating to caves like these.” I gestured around us, letting the threat linger.

  The bureaucratic woman leaned forward, her flawless robes catching the torchlight. “We’ll survive,” she said, her tone firm. “We have done so for hundreds of years.”

  I met her gaze, then swept my eyes across the council, settling on the old man in the center. “Maybe,” I said, keeping my voice steady. “Who knows? They could leave you alone for a while. They probably have bigger fish to fry. But eventually, they’ll come for you, and you’ll be alone.” I paused, letting that sink in. “We have a saying where I’m from: if you want peace, prepare for war.”

  For the first time, they stirred, murmuring to each other, their faces flickering with thought. I held my breath, my mind racing. Were they actually listening, or just humoring me before shutting me down? At least I’d cracked their silence.

  The leader spoke up, his voice somber. “Even if we could help, we don’t have the numbers for pitched battles.”

  So they were at least considering. I seized it. “I realize that,” I said, nodding. “What we need is a surprise to stall the siege. Something to boost our soldiers’ morale and make the trolls think this war isn’t already decided.”

  Another council member, a clean-cut man with a scar across his cheek, frowned. “And after we’ve helped them? Then what? They go back to killing us?”

  My stomach tightened. This was the part I’d dreaded—history’s wounds, raw and festering, ready to derail everything. Sensitive topics like these turned logic into a mess of grudges and old pain. “I’m not from this world,” I said, choosing my words carefully, “so I can’t begin to understand what you’ve suffered. But what they did to you came from fear. If you help them now, you’d show there could be a future for your people together.” It sounded naive even to me, but I had to try.

  The bureaucratic woman scoffed, her voice cutting through. “If it were only that easy. People don’t work like that. What we are will always disgust them. They’ll turn on us the first chance they get.” Heads nodded around the table, her words striking a chord I couldn’t ignore.

  She wasn’t entirely wrong, and that stung. My mind flashed to Malachor’s nobles. Audemar’s sneers, Torvyn’s cold calculations. Trust was a long shot. “Yes, that might happen,” I said, surprising a few with the admission. “I’m not asking you to help them retake land. Just fight the trolls as you would here. I’m guessing the last few months have been quiet. No troll raids. Right?” I glanced around, probing for a crack.

  A new voice, softer, came from a younger man near Malvina. “You’re correct. We’ve been fortunate lately.”

  I pressed on, sensing an opening. “I know you might worry about leaving your homes unguarded, but the trolls are hitting Malachor from two sides. If anything, you should be raiding them now while they’re distracted elsewhere.”

  “So as to stir their wrath?” the woman snapped, her tone sharp enough to make me roll my eyes inwardly. But this time, fewer nodded. Her grip was be slipping.

  I decided to push harder. She wasn’t budging, but the others? Maybe I could sway them. “You’ve literally buried your city in the sand, and they still attack you,” I said, locking eyes with her. “If you don’t want to provoke them, I suggest digging under the sea next.” My voice dripped with sarcasm, a calculated jab. She bristled, her face tightening, but I caught the faint beginnings of smiles on a few others, Malvina included. Hope flickered in me. Maybe she wasn’t as popular as I’d feared.

  “You dare disrespect a member of this council,” she said, her tone icy with fury. “You should be crawling on your knees if you want any help from us.”

  Well, she hated me now. I could feel it radiating off her, a wall of loathing I’d built with my last jab. Maybe I’d pushed too hard, crossed a line I couldn’t uncross. My mind spun, second-guessing for a split second, but I shoved the doubt down. Backing off would sink this faster than a troll’s club through a wooden gate. I had to stand firm. “I’m guessing you were the type to bow the lowest when Tara was around,” I said, keeping my voice steady, eyes locked on hers. Her jaw clenched, her face twisting with rage, and I could see her fighting to keep from snapping something she’d regret.

  I flicked my gaze around the room, gauging the others. No one looked ready to leap to her defense. Some even seemed amused, their lips twitching. That gave me fuel. Time to press harder. “Just because you admired Tara doesn’t mean we all have to bow to you,” I said, letting a hint of scorn creep in. My pulse thrummed, a mix of adrenaline and calculation. This was a gamble, but I couldn’t let her bully me into submission.

  That broke her. She lurched forward, raising a hand and flicking it in a gesture I recognized instantly. Bloodbending, or her attempt at it. I nearly laughed aloud. Malvina hadn’t warned them, apparently. I glanced at her on the far right, and she was grinning now, her eyes glinting with mischief. Seconds ticked by, and nothing happened. The woman’s face shifted from fury to a priceless blend of confusion and fear, her hand still poised like she could will me to my knees.

  “You think I could’ve beaten Tara if your little tricks worked on me?” I said, my voice hardening, carrying an edge I didn’t bother softening. Her arm dropped, and the room stilled. I’d considered a show of power earlier, something flashy to cow them, but dismissed it as desperate. Now she’d handed me this on a platter, and I hadn’t even needed to lift a finger.

  The old man in the center rose, his weathered face stern. “He is a guest in this city,” he said, his voice low but firm. “How dare you try to attack him?” His words landed like a gavel, and I felt a surge of relief, though I kept it buried deep. She’d overstepped, and he’d called it out.

  She stood there, speechless, her mouth opening and closing like a fish out of water. I sent a silent prayer to the non-existent gods that this gamble would pay off. Her move had discredited her. At least I hoped it had and it made me look untouchable without me breaking a sweat. Inside, I was grinning, my hands itching to rub together in triumph, but I kept my face neutral. No sense gloating and ruining it.

  The leader cleared his throat, drawing my attention back. “We are sorry for her actions,” he said, his tone formal now. “Please return to your room. We will deliberate on your request.” A few council members offered faint smiles, Malvina’s the widest, as I gave a slight bow and turned to leave.

  ─── ????? ───

  Back in the room, I paced, replaying every word, every glance. Alira’s face lingered in my thoughts, tired, resolute, counting on me. I’d bought us a chance, but it hung on what they’d decide behind that crescent table. The woman’s humiliation might sway them my way, or it might harden them against me. Either way, I’d played my hand as best I could. Trying to get people who were oppressed into suddenly being allies was a tall order indeed. If this worked, they might as well carve me a marble statue when I got back.

  I’d been pacing the room for hours, the stone floor wearing a groove under my boots, when a knock finally came.

  My stomach flipped as I yanked the door open. I’d expected some stiff aide to summon me back to the council, not Malvina herself. I held my breath, my chest tight with the weight of what might come next. She stood there, her face locked in a maddeningly neutral mask.

  “You might be the best diplomat I’ve ever seen,” she finally said, and I nearly leapt off the ground, relief flooding through me like cool water after a desert trek. My knees wobbled, but I kept my grin in check.

  “I don’t know how you got under her skin,” she went on, a spark of amusement in her voice. “She usually sees herself as the council’s representative. Watching her stand there, hand raised, with you smirking at her? Incredible. People would’ve paid good coin to see that smug smile wiped off her face, and they got it free.” She shook her head, almost laughing.

  “As long as we get the alliance, I’m happy to help,” I said, still riding the high.

  “About that,” she said, her tone shifting.

  “Wait, wait,” I cut in, my heart lurching. “Don’t do this to me. Don’t dangle hope and snatch it away.” I braced myself, the old familiar dread creeping back.

  “No,” she said, a half-smile breaking through. “The alliance went to a vote. You won, seven to four. Pretty comfortable, actually.”

  “Then why are you trying to give me a heart attack?” I asked, exhaling hard. My pulse still raced, but the tension eased a notch.

  “It’s just that they know you’re in a weak spot for negotiating,” she replied. “So they’ve got extra demands.”

  I nodded. “Makes sense, I guess. But I’m just the messenger. I can’t hash out new terms.”

  “I figured,” Malvina said. “I told them about your ability to communicate with Malachor’s council. They thought another full meeting might bog things down, so I’m here for them instead.” She folded her arms, ready to play go-between.

  “Then let’s not waste time,” I said, already focusing. “It’s almost evening, right? She might be at the villa. If not, we’ll wait.” I pictured the villa’s main dining room. It was always bustling, someone passing through. Perfect spot. I closed my eyes, feeling it hum under my skin as the portal took shape. Slowly, it flickered to life, then widened, a shimmering oval cutting through the room’s gloom.

  An aide on the other side spotted it instantly, freezing mid-step. I knew his face, vaguely, one of the staff. But names always slipped me. He looked torn between bolting and staring. “Hello,” I said, keeping it light. “I’m Tiberius. You’ve seen me around the house, right?” He nodded, cautious. “Can you get Alira? It’s urgent.”

  “She’s home,” he said, snapping to action. “I’ll get her now.”

  Malvina watched it, eyes wide with awe. Maybe the first time she’d seen one up close. Portals weren’t exactly common. “And you can walk through if you wanted?” she asked, stepping closer.

  “We both could,” I said. “Getting back’s trickier, though. I need a clear picture to form it, and I can’t do underground yet.”

  “How’s it feel to walk through?” she asked, curiosity bright in her voice.

  “Maybe I’m the wrong guy to ask,” I said, half-laughing. “I’ve got a love-hate thing with them.” She gave me a long look, so I waved it off. “Don’t ask. Long story. I hear it’s pleasant, though.”

  Footsteps echoed from beyond the portal, pulling my focus. Alira stepped into the dining room, her face lighting up when she saw me. “I’m so glad you’ve made contact tonight,” she said, her smile warm. “How are you?”

  “Pretty good, actually,” I said, keeping my tone even despite the grin tugging inside. “Found the city, spoke to their version of the council.”

  “And?” she pressed, hope edging her voice.

  “I want the marble in black,” I said, deadpan, letting the old joke hang.