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He doesn’t finish the sentence. He doesn’t need to. We all understand what’s at stake.

When the windows rattle, I spin to inspect them. For days, strange shifting clouds have slowly formed around Tirene. “Glad the weather didn’t render your task impossible. Those clouds, or whatever they are, keep getting closer.”

The oddities move with too much unnatural purpose to be real storm clouds and circle like cautious predators.

“Knox said to tell you he’s training again. Against fire, wind, and earth.” Rose issues the announcement from the doorway. Her blond hair reflects the fading light, and the flame sprite that accompanies her throbs with an anxious amber glow above her right shoulder. The child’s blue eyes are far too serious for her young face. “The gods are watching.”

“Thanks, Rosie.” Agnar’s expression softens. “Let them watch. You come give your uncle a hug.”

The little girl races over and throws herself into his arms as her familiar casts dancing shadows on the marble floors. “Kin showed me things. In the old books. About rules.”

Helene bursts in, her cheeks flushed with exertion. “Southern temples in Meridia just sent word. They’re with us. Except for the lead priest. The Devoted got to him first.”

Dammit.

“Thanks, Helene. Not as good as we hoped, but better than we expected.” The temples going against the lead priest is yet another sign of the growing division in all the kingdoms.

“You realize, if this fails, we’re not just risking ourselves.” Bastian gestures at the room’s occupants. “We’re risking everyone who’s helped us. The whole world.”

I shrug, even that tiny movement almost too much for me to handle after hours of grueling training. “The whole world is already at risk.”

Bastian grimaces. “It’ll be worse for those involved in the planning.”

So basically, everyone in this room and the people we recruited will be tortured by the gods if we fail.

Such an uplifting thought.

Leesa wraps her arms around Bastian from behind his chair and leans forward to kiss his temple. “That’s why we won’t fail.”

Exactly. Because when the alternative is unthinkable, failure isn’t an option.

Chapter Forty-Eight

We researched until our eyes became bloodshot. Trained until we couldn’t physically take anymore. The fighting ring is laid out, the stands ready to hold thousands. The news has spread, and trickles of people are already arriving. I’m so tired I don’t even bother to light the candles or the hearth in the bedchamber as we enter.

All that’s left to do now is get a good night’s sleep before the diplomatic gauntlet we have to run tomorrow. We’ve changed our wedding to a small private ceremony where we’ll be surrounded only by our close friends and loved ones.

I make a mental note to compensate Odessa well for the countless hours she spent planning. I couldn’t tell whether the wedding coordinator was more relieved or disappointed when I told her about the shift in our agenda.

“Stop worrying, love. I can see your wheels spinning.” Sterling’s voice is husky. Deep. He knows what this voice of his does to me. “Dance with me.”

The words almost undo me. My eyes sting. My breath catches. A startled sound escapes my lips. The last few days have been nothing but a slog.

Training. Planning. Researching. Eating just to survive.

Now, despite the fact that he’s been working just as hard as I have, Sterling offers me joy.

How can he think of dancing at a time like this? We’re standing on the edge of oblivion, one slip away from losing everything. My chest constricts, hot and tight. My mind races. We need to continue planning. Preparing. We need⁠—

“Lark.” Sterling’s fingers brush mine. “Come here.”

His touch ignites me, body and soul. It’s warmth and hunger and every reckless impulse I’ve ever had.

I grab his hand as if I might drown without it. “I’m here.”

The small distance between us disappears.

He pulls me to him, his lips brushing across the corner of my lips. “I love you.”