"Thank you for joining me and showing willingness to talk more about Malach and the kingdoms beyond the peninsula."

  Sloane didn't respond or react. Her cool stare remained on me.

  "I understand that everyone worries that if we partner together too much, we'll end up combining kingdoms and that inevitably I'll be in charge. Like Malach and his lackeys. I think that if we don't unite to face this threat then we're more likely to see kingdoms fall, either into his hands, or into the comfort of another Skia Hellig Kingdom."

  Demetri rubbed his chin. "I would tend to agree though Theus won't see this. The problem, though, is that we don't really know what Malach wants."

  "You mean who," Sloane said pointedly.

  "Who?" I leaned forward. "You think Malach is only going after some kingdoms?"

  Sloan ran his fingers along the threads of the couch cushion. "I think that in Malach's position, if I wanted to conquer Skia Hellig, I'd start with the hardest to beat and leave the others alone."

  "Why not start with the easier ones?" Demetri asked.

  "Because Eclipse will help them. Declaring war on any kingdom in Skia Hellig is declaring war on her. Even if she could stand for the injustice of it, which we know she can't, she'll see it as a threat to her kingdom."

  Damn did this lady read me well. "If he attacks me, you think no one else will fight with me."

  Sloane shook her head. "Maybe not if they don't attack us."

  "If he conquers my kingdom, it only gives him more power to conquer yours."

  She smiled and I realized I'd never seen her do that. It looked serious and wooden and somehow only made her appear that much more intelligent. "Only if we believe you'll lose."

  "So, I'm your shield. My kingdom defeats the invaders and no one else lifts a hand. Can you be so shameless?"

  She crossed one leg over the other and reclined back against the seat. "Absolutely. There is no shame in saving the lives of my people."

  "I guess I know where you stand," I said.

  "No. I only say this to challenge you to open your mind in this situation. You see too much good in people."

  Demetri groaned. "You're as cold as I've heard, Sloane. I think it only makes sense to do all we can to stop Malach and the others from crossing into Skia Hellig. If we all fight, we're in less danger. You're not afraid of Eclipse taking our kingdoms. So, it is purely a strategic decision for you. But haven't you considered the future relationships of our kingdoms? Do you think Eclipse will ever look kindly upon you if you scorn her people?"

  Sloane looked at me instead of him. "No. That's why I came."

  "So, you'll fight with us?"

  "I traveled an awful long way to tell you to go fuck yourself, didn't I? And I volunteered to host the summit. My problem with you, though, is that you cannot let go of your principles. You're so against everything Eskel did and everyone else who you've fought that you can't take anything from them. You've never truly warred as a Prophet, Eclipse. You won't be able to keep your soul clean."

  "You think I've never dirtied myself for my people?"

  "It's different to dirty your hands as a ruler than as an individual." Her eyes seemed to read my soul. "Isn't that why you haven't killed Theus? Would the old Max have hesitated?"

  I scooted back in my chair. "You also think I should kill him."

  "On the contrary, I'd consider it a threat. You disposing of another ruler in Skia Hellig worries me and I don't like feeling worried. I say this to point out the difference in your behavior as a warrior and as a Prophet. If it does come to war with an enemy far greater than Theus, you'll have to grow beyond what you've been. I told you I don't like to be worried. Well, this is what worries me for you. You are what stands in your own way."

  Demetri watched me. "I must admit, she's right about this."

  "I thought you didn't trust me." I glared at him, unnerved by the conversation. "Wasn't that what you went on about at the Summit?"

  "Do you think any of us trust each other? Everything is different now than it was. Malach came. You said yourself that you're a shield. I won’t turn away a good shield."

  "You think you know what I'll do." I sat forward now, my sharp stare cutting from Demetri to Sloane. "You think because I care about people, and I love Skia Hellig that I'll kill myself to save your people. Many people have lost their lives assuming they can beat me just because they think they know what I'll do. I will not allow you to hide behind me."

  "Then you will kill us and take our lands." Sloane settled her head back. "That's an important consideration."

  "Don't mock me."

  "I'm not mocking you. I wondered what you would do in the situation. I didn't believe that you'd abandon any innocent person in Skia Hellig, but I also know you do not run from a fight. I just wasn't sure how you'd fight me if I betrayed you."

  Demetri was right that none of us trusted each other, but I thought Sloane might be the most dangerous person to trust, even more so than Theus who absolutely wanted to kill me. She possessed the mind of Piercey, the practicality of Dr. Henderson, and an air of ruthlessness that reminded me of Lote. I didn't know whether she was an ally or an enemy. I suspected neither.

  Sloane didn't want to war with me. That didn't mean she wanted to work with me either.

  I shifted from my seat to take the space directly beside her and held her stare. "You know I won't fight you if you don't give me reason to."

  "Yes." She didn't withdraw, but she also didn't look fearless. Rather a perfect amount of trepidation and challenge emanated from her.

  "You know I will kill you if you give me reason to."

  Sloane didn't question whether I would considering I allowed to Theus to live. With all confidence she said, "Yes."

  "Then I hope you don't plan to ever give me reason to." I sat back and turned my eyes to the ceiling. "I hate politics."

  Sloane surprised me by chuckling quietly. "And yet, in your own very strange way, you're surprisingly good at it."

  Demetri leaned against his knees. "So, what will we do about Malach, ladies."

  "We kill him." I closed my eyes. "We don't allow him to take a single grain of dirt from Skia Hellig."

  This narrative has been purloined without the author's approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.

  "War," Demetri said.

  "I hope you'll join me." I sat up. "Together, we can tell the world not to touch our lands so loudly everyone will hear."

  Our guests, top advisors, and most trusted commanders and chiefs gathered in the dining hall to eat dinner. The children dined with their families, and I couldn't help watching Sloane's two teenage daughters. I didn't doubt her love for them, but she wasn't particularly warm with them either. Reserved and calm, she might have seemed aloof if not for how intently she listened to the girls when they talked.

  "How did your discussion go?" I asked Nash as he cut into his chicken.

  "Surprisingly well. Should we war together, we've already drawn up some solid preliminary plans to discuss with our assemblies."

  "Demetri will fight with us. I feel like he will. Sloane, I'm not so sure about."

  "Whoever is sure about her?" Nash took a bite of the meat and looked at her briefly. "Her head disciple is easier to read, but I sensed that even he has no idea what she plans to do."

  "She's so careful. She may not know yet. I'm sure she has a hundred possibilities she's imagined and will choose based on what seems best in the long-term."

  "The question then," Nash said, "Is whether she'll do anything to hurt us."

  "She doesn't want to fight with me. I told her I'd kill her if she gave me reason to."

  Nash stopped cutting and looked at me. "Max."

  "She needed to hear it."

  "She's a Prophet. We just worked on that peace summit."

  "Well," I said. "She knows how to keep peace with me now. I want her to know she cannot toy around with me."

  Elsie leaned forward to see us better. "Finn threw up on me."

  I bit my lip and reached for him.

  Nash helped Elsie clean her shirt. "A little spit up never hurt anyone, did it," he said.

  "It got on my swords."

  "Why are you wearing your swords at the dinner table, anyway?" Nash asked.

  Elsie furrowed her brows. "The same reason you are, Daddy." Her voice lowered. "Warriors are always prepared, especially when enemies are around."

  "We don't know that they're our enemies," I whispered.

  "We don't know that they aren't. Prophet Sloane's youngest daughter is really good with swords. We had fun racing earlier, but I need to be ready in case she attacks. I can't let myself have too much fun without being ready."

  Nash coughed like he'd choked on his food. "Elsie, I swear–and I mean swear–on your life, on Finn's, on your mother's, and on Max's life that if you pull a sword on a Prophet's daughter, you will never hold one again in your life."

  "What if she pulls one on me, Daddy?"

  "She won't."

  "What if?"

  He dropped his silverware. "Then use that necklace to call for me and your Ma. You're thirteen. Starting a war isn't up to you."

  Elsie crossed her arms and stared at her plate. "You guys don't trust me."

  "I trust you more than I trust any child in the world," Nash said.

  "That's right." I wiped Finn's lip. "More than any child."

  "One day I'll be grown up."

  Nash patted her head. "That's right, baby girl. One day. Now eat and stop sulking."

  "I'm not sure now was the right time for what we planned," I said, referring to sending warriors to attack the targets we discussed. "Tomorrow may be too early with these talks looking promising."

  "We can't wait," Nash said. "We move forward. Give the others someone to follow. It's been long enough already. Once that army starts moving, there's no stopping them, and it won't take long for them to enter Skia Hellig."

  "Right." I took a bite of the chicken but couldn't even taste it. "I hate this."

  His hand came over my knee. "Me too."

  I kissed Finn's soft cheek wanting so badly to give him peace. We waited to have him until it seemed like a good time and now we were about to enter a war that didn't even feel real. I didn't want Finn to grow up at war.

  "You need a break from thinking about it." Nash took Finn from me. "Elsie is done eating. Why don't you two invite the other kids to the game room? You love taking kids there."

  "I guess I could do that."

  "Distract yourself and use the excuse to form bonds that will make you more than just the Prophet who can kill the other Prophets. Become a person to them, especially to Sloane. Elsie said she spent time with her daughter."

  I ran my fingers through Finn's feathery hair. "That's a good idea. Maybe I should have Elsie put her weapons away first."

  He snorted. "Maybe."

  I scooted my chair back and tugged on the girl's sleeve. "Dad had a fun idea. Let's invite the kids to the game room."

  Her eyes lit. "Can we really?"

  "Yes, as long as you put your swords away and change into something else. You smell like spit up."

  Elsie grimaced. "Deal."

  Before I left, I kissed Nash's cheek. "Charm our guests, please. We need allies."

  "I will."

  "Alright, Elsie girl. Let's go. I'll change too."

  "Do you get to keep your weapons?" she asked.

  "Obviously."

  "You don't even need them. How's that fair?"

  I looped my arm through hers as we walked out of the room. "How's it fair that you're already as tall as me? When did that happen?"

  "I'm growing up, Ma. Mom says that I'll be tall like Daddy."

  "Maybe not as tall."

  "You never know."

  I shrugged. "True. You have a lot of growing to do then."

  Elsie leaned her head against me as we walked. "Can I really not fight that girl if she pulls a sword on me?"

  "It's complicated. You shouldn't let her hurt you, though."

  "This is why I don't want to be a Prophet. There's so many rules. A War Chief can focus on war. I mean, Dad helps you with more than other War Chiefs do, right? I won't have to do all that?"

  "That's right."

  "I know you two are only trying to make me feel good. That's what you do to kids. You tell them you believe in them." She looked up at me, very suddenly not looking like a child anymore despite how young she appeared. Her eyes looked older. Wiser than she honestly acted. "I'm going to surprise you."

  "Oh, Elsie, we do really believe in you."

  "You believe in me as much as you can believe in a kid. You need to prepare yourself for me to grow up. I don't want Finn to ever get hurt. I know you won't want me to get hurt. It's going to be hard for you to watch me be War Chief when you'll just want to relax with Dad and live the kind of life you haven't been able to."

  "Where is this coming from?"

  We climbed the stairs and Elsie's voice quieted. "War is coming. I've been thinking."

  "I don't want you to think about that."

  "That doesn't matter. We all want things we can't have. I have to think about it. Do you think the war won't touch me?"

  I couldn't think about this. "I won't let it, not until you're older."

  She gave me that beautiful smile with her dimples showing. "I love you, Ma. I know you would do anything for me. You've always protected me."

  "I always will." I tapped her necklace. "That's why you have that."

  "I'll let you protect me, even when I'm War Chief, if you let me be a great warrior."

  I almost said yes immediately without really thinking about what she said. Elsie wanted me to let her grow up. She felt held back. Could I watch her go into battle? Could I see her bleed and not save her? These were problems for another day. "Okay. Deal but give me a little time."

  "A little. That's all."

  "Don't be in such a rush to grow up. I lost my childhood. I want you to have one. You don't know how much it matters and how lucky you are to have the chance to be a kid. Cherish it. You'll be a better warrior in the long run for it."

  Elsie seemed to consider this. "Okay."

  Once we reached our floor, Elsie stopped and pursed her lips.

  "Do you always make me walk up the stairs to make sure I don't get spoiled?"

  I tilted my head back and laughed. "What? You want me to use my power to teleport you everywhere? Walking is good for you."

  "Just curious." She put her hand on the door to her room. "Can I keep my dagger, at least?"

  "You're carrying that?"

  "I carry it everywhere."

  "Fine." I ran my hand over my face. "I guess. Be careful with it around smaller kids."

  "I know that." She opened the door but looked back at me before walking in. "You don't have to remind me all the time to be careful."

  The door at the end of the hall opened and my intuition recognized it before my mind did. Before I even felt the fear or confusion, I threw up a powerful shield that blocked the entire hallway and hurled a wave of energy. Arrows scattered–the sight that first caught my eye.

  The wall at the end of the hallway caved in. I was halfway to Elsie when I noticed more arrows flying. Even though my shield would destroy them, I swung my sword in front of Elsie on reflex.

  Arrows flew through my shield as if it didn't exist. My sword sliced through the ones flying for Elsie. No time to think. I teleported directly in front of her with the fraction of a second I had, my heel landing on her foot so I could immediately transport us away from the attackers.

  But it was too late. Arrows thudded into my body as we disappeared from the hall.

  I'd focused on the Sacred School, the place that felt safest for Elsie on instinct. It felt like I missed a step walking down the stairs. Rather than instantly appearing at the Sacred School, we appeared on the roof of the tower.

  It all happened so quickly that the impact of the arrows was still hitting my body. I jerked as they finished plunging through me.

  I turned to see Elsie, to see that she was okay, just as the pain began to branch over me. I didn't even know where I'd been hit. Only that I needed to know if any made it to her.

  Confusion and shock scrunched Elsie's young face as a weapon I hadn't seen her draw fell from her hand and clattered to the ground. "Ma?" A frigid wind swept between us.

  I touched an arrow protruding from my side, catching a glob of blood that snaked from the wound. Lifting it, I stared, unable to accept what I saw. A perfectly normal arrow destroyed my energy shield and cut through my body.

  What the hell?

  A choking sound escaped from Elsie's lips and then she screamed this time, terrified and desperate. "Ma!"