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“The Devoted have been gathering powerful individuals too.” Rafe’s customary scowl returns with a vengeance. “They could have recruited someone we don’t know about.”

Agnar shifts uncomfortably in his seat. “What about the Guardian?”

The festive mood evaporates like morning dew under a harsh sun. Sterling’s expression remains unchanged, but tension creeps into the set of his shoulders.

My heart stutters over the memory of that towering figure.

“He’s a guardian, too, right? I mean, he calls himself the Guardian.” Agnar glowers at the table. “Half-god, half-mortal, utterly loyal to Zeru. Deadly with every weapon known to mankind. Been training for centuries. Blah blah blah. It would make sense for him to serve as Zeru’s champion. Rivlan even told you he’d be the logical choice.”

Dalya releases a low whistle. “If that’s the case, then you need to train harder.”

“She’s right.” I wring my hands together while addressing Sterling. “I know you train every day with a god, but…”

Sterling reaches across the table, unlocking my hands so he can link his fingers with mine. “You offering to train with me?”

Before I can answer, a courier enters with a sealed message. “From Tír Ríoga, Your Majesty. Their response to your diplomatic inquiry. You asked for it to be sent to you immediately.”

I break the seal and scan the contents. My heart sinks with each line. “Tír Ríoga is forming an alliance with Kamor. They say Tirene is not invited to join.” I pass the missive to Sterling, who reads the correspondence with a deepening frown.

Dalya remains stone-faced but shoots a glance at Fenton, who simply closes his eyes and shakes his head.

Agnar attempts to read over Sterling’s shoulder. “Have they been infiltrated by the Devoted?”

Sterling holds the letter up to give Agnar easier access. “They’ve somehow come to the conclusion that we destroyed magic deliberately to make them dependent on Tirene for resources. They’re pulling away from us politically and economically.”

Rafe gasps as if suffering an apoplexy before scribbling furious notes. This is not good news for the guilds he heads.

“Why don’t we just tell them the truth?” Agnar thumps Sterling on the shoulder. “Let them know that you plan on returning magic to the world after the Champions Match. That should shut them up.”

Bron leans forward, his eyes bright and eager. “Yes! And then⁠—”

Sterling shakes his head. “Rivlan wants to keep the match private. At least for now.”

“Why?” I still don’t understand the need for secrecy. “Shouldn’t people have hope?”

“He says he doesn’t want me distracted, especially with the fame it would bring.” Sterling throws the letter on the table, resentment thick in his every action.

Leesa snatches up the message and glares. “When will be the right time?”

Sterling shrugs. “I assume once the other champion is named.”

Agnar rubs his jaw. “In the meantime, the other kingdoms continue to believe Tirene stole their magic on purpose.”

The council room fills with overlapping voices. Suggestions and counter-suggestions fly across the table.

Sterling remains quiet, studying the others with a thoughtful expression until they run out of steam. “Then let’s prove them wrong.”

The room falls silent, and all eyes turn to him.

Bron sighs. The young duke appears weary and much older than his twentysomething years. “How?”

Silent communication passes between Sterling and me before Sterling replies. “By saving them anyway.”

The simplicity of his statement strikes me like a punch in the gut. Of course. We don’t need their trust or their alliance. We just need to do what’s right.

Pride swells in my chest. This is why I love him. Not merely for his admittedly impressive physique, or his quiet confidence, or the way his eyes soften when they meet mine, but for moments like these, when his moral compass points true north despite aggravating and potentially dire circumstances.

“Knox is right.” I sit up straighter, the phantom weight of the crown heavy on my head. “If Tír Ríoga and Kamor don’t want to be our allies, fine. But our actions still affect them, so we’ll help them whether they like it or not.”