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“That won’t be a problem.”

The fact that Kyn, a Primal of Vengeance, would even ask meant it could be a problem.

“That is a relief to hear.” Kyn’s stare moved over me and then darted away, leaving my skin prickling. “Only half their forces are in the Bonelands. The other half is at my border.”

“You mean your and your brother’s,” Kolis corrected, his fingers still tapping. His gaze slid to the other Primal. “Unless they are positioned to the north of the Black Bay, where I believe your encampment lays.”

As far as I knew, they were east of Lethe, and that was Vathi—the brothers’ Court.

“They are at our border and have been,” Kyn said, not elaborating beyond that. “That is all that matters.”

“Have they attacked?”

“Not yet, but I imagine it is only a matter of time before they seek their vengeance.”

Part of me hoped they did. The other understood what that would lead to: an escalation of violence. War. Death.

Kyn’s gaze swept over me again, his upper lip curling slightly before he refocused on the false King. “Something must be done.”

A faint smile played on Kolis’s lips. “I’m sure you have suggestions.”

“I do.” Kyn leaned forward. “Let me take my forces and remove the threat to our east. I will destroy them, leaving their bones to rot with those who came before.”

Kolis laughed softly. “You said Nektas is with them. If you attempt that, you and your forces will do nothing but burn.”

Tension poured into Kyn’s body, charging the air. “Then allow me to finish what I started.” Silver eyes drilled into me, causing my muscles to coil like a spring. “Let me take the Shadowlands.”

“You had your chance to do that,” Kolis retorted, the reminder of how close the Shadowlands had come to destruction sending a whisper of cold dread over the nape of my neck.

“All I need is permission to take the chance again,” Kyn insisted. “I will not waste the opportunity a second time.”

My stomach hollowed as my gaze bounced between the two. Attes claimed Kolis had forced his brother to turn on the Shadowlands, but Kyn sounded far too eager to have another go at it for his actions to be rooted solely in the recent loss of one of his young draken. Either Attes didn’t realize this, or he didn’t want to acknowledge it.

“You wanted a clear message sent. It can still be done.” Again, Kyn’s stare drifted over me. “And right now, a message is likely needed due to that.”

An ache began settling into my fingers because of how tightly I clenched my glass.

“And what does your brother think?” Kolis queried after a moment. “Does he feel a message should be sent?”

“My brother favors accord over war—that and fucking.”

“As if you are any different when it comes to the last part,” Kolis pointed out. My brows rose, and I…

I thought about why Attes had killed his brother’s guards. He said they’d been taking the young, those years away from their Culling, and bringing them back to their encampments. And as Attes had said, it wasn’t to protect them.

“With Nektas in the Bonelands, my draken and men will be able to make quick work of what forces remain in the Shadowlands,” Kyn reasoned.

Tangles of dread spread through my stomach as my tenuous hold on my tongue slipped and then disappeared altogether. “Then what?”

Two pairs of eather-filled eyes settled on me. Kyn’s were wide with surprise. I could detect nothing from Kolis’s stare nor tone when he asked, “What do you mean?”

My heart was somewhere in my throat as I repeatedly slapped myself in my mind. “If orders are given to destroy the Shadowlands,” I said, knowing I needed to proceed with caution given this was not my mother I was speaking to, “then what comes next? The forces in the Bonelands, including Nektas, will be even more motivated to strike Vathi.”

Kyn’s lip curled as he eyed me, but he said nothing until Kolis prodded, “And what do you have to say about that?”

“I’m not that worried about Nektas,” Kyn replied, taking a drink.

Unable to stop myself, I laughed.