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“Right in front of the palace,” D.C. confirmed. “Witnesses were so shocked by the violence that they didn’t act fast enough to capture the Rebels, but the king knew his youngest son had to have been involved. He demanded Aven explain his actions. Aven again told his father to change the trade agreement and end the alliance with humans. He said we were just a waste of space and resources, completely beneath them as a race.

“King Astophe refused, of course,” D.C continued, “but Aven was still a royal prince, and short of imprisoning him for the rest of his very long life, there was nothing the king could really do. Eventually Aven apologised, claiming he’d seen the error of his ways. The king fell for it, and he ended up with a knife in his back.”

Alex jerked in shock.

“Before Aven could finish his father off, his brother Roka discovered him, and the two fought. Roka easily overpowered Aven and forced him to the floor, but Aven managed to stab his blade into Roka’s leg, piercing his artery. The guards appeared then, and Aven was forced to flee. An edict went out banishing him from ever returning to Meya, and the city vanished to avoid being further corrupted by his taint.”

Alex just sat there after D.C. finished her story, absorbing the words and collecting her thoughts.

“It’s funny.” D.C. breathed out a humourless laugh. “Even though he was banished, the Rebels still won. The trade agreement ended when Meya disappeared. He still got what he wanted, or at least part of it.”

“But now he wants more,” Alex guessed.

“Yes,” D.C. confirmed. “Years of being forced to live amongst humans has left a bitterness in him so strong that he won’t stop until he has his revenge.”

Alex had a feeling she knew exactly what that meant, but she still forced herself to ask, “What will he do?”

“He’ll kill what’s left of his family and take the throne, and with it the leadership of the Meyarin people,” D.C. said, confirming Alex’s fears. “And then he’ll destroy the race responsible for his misfortune.”

“Do you mean…?”

“Humankind,” D.C. said. “He’ll kill us all—or at least those of us who he can’t use.”

“Use?” Alex repeated.

“Hisassociates,” D.C. said, using the same term Aven had used to describe Gerald. “The humans he collects. The gifted ones who are willing to join his cause.”

Alex shuddered at the thought. “How do you know all this? I was under the impression that information about Meya is pretty scarce.”

“I’ve had access to privileged information all my life,” D.C. answered quietly, prompting Alex to remember the book the other girl had been reading before Kaldoras, the one about Meya. It made more sense now.

With neither of them knowing what to say next, silence surrounded them again—gaping silence, filled with uncertainty.

“I wanted to tell you,” D.C. finally said. “About me, I mean.”

Alex snorted. “No you didn’t.”

“I did,” D.C. stated firmly. “But in case you haven’t noticed, I’m not exactly close to many people.Anypeople. It comes with being who I am.”

“Then why are you so talkative all of a sudden?” Alex asked.

“Because I’ve realised that we’re probably going to die when Aven is finished with us, so I’m officially dubbing you my first and last ever friend. Best friend, in fact, since you’re the only one I have. Enjoy it. You just might get a whole hour holding that title before we’re dead.”

“Not fair,” Alex argued, choosing to ignore the presumption about their impending death. “I had to hold the most hated enemy title for months. Now I get an hour in recompense? How is that a fair ruling, Your Highness?”

Alex’s tone was mocking, but she knew the banter was helping to distract them both from their circumstances.

“I’ll tell you what,” D.C. said. “If by some miracle we make it out of this alive, you can keep the title indefinitely.”

“What if I don’t want just the title?” Alex asked quietly.

“A title has responsibilities,” D.C. answered, just as quietly. “Yours would be no different.”

Alex smiled, understanding the other girl’s implication. “So, friends?”

“Friends,” D.C. agreed. “But for the record, I don’t think you quite realise what you’re getting yourself into. I’ve been told I’m high maintenance. Aroyalpain in the butt, even.”

Alex laughed. “I think I can handle that.”