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I shake off his touch.“And you’re so strong?A man who approves of slavery?”

He sighs.“A necessary evil.I was going to wipe it out once I was in power.”

“Without expecting retaliation from the Phaelix?You can’t be that dumb.”

“The Phaelix need to be converted into believers.”He sounds sure of himself.“They’ll see the light, just like everyone else.”

“So on top of betraying your own family, you’re going to take away the Alits’ freedom and impose your personal beliefs on them.”

“The scrolls are the only way.I’ve studied them for years.That’s how we came about.We have to trust the prophecy.”

I chuckle.“The prophecies are subjective interpretations.”

“That’s your opinion.”He frowns.“It’s rather sad.”

“Aruan will destroy Zerra if I’m gone.”

He flashes me a disapproving smile.“Trying to save your own skin?That’s very selfish.”

“Even if Aruan is out of the picture, which will never happen, his family will destroy you before you have a chance of taking over the throne.”

“I’ll just hide out here until the dust settles.The Phaelix don’t have powers, but they vastly outnumber the Alit.I’ll hit when your mate is at his weakest.”He sighs.“Nia was eating right out of my hand.It’s a pity you came and spoiled everything just when things were finally going my way.”

“If you think about it, that’s rather ironic.I would never have returned to Zerra if not for you.”I add with a taunting smile, “If you hadn’t opened a portal for the Phaelix who kidnapped me, I would’ve been dead by now.I guess I need to thank you.”

He scoffs.“It doesn’t matter.Your arrival merely delayed my plans.Yes, things were going so well.Nia is a believer too, thanks to me.Lorak was a tougher cookie, as the expression goes here on Earth.”He smiles as if he’s very proud of himself for knowing that saying.“But once his mate is dead, killing him will be an act of mercy.”

“And Kian, Vitai, and Gaia?What’s your plan with them?”

“I can’t risk vengeance,” he says earnestly.

“How will your mate ever live with you?”I look him up and down.“She’ll hate and detest you.She’ll be ashamed to be with a traitor.”

“I’ve never claimed her.I’ve decided to wait until I’ve put my plan into action.She’ll be proud then.She’ll walk at the side of the new king of Lona with her head held high.”

“You’re delusional, Tarix.”

“And you, Elsie”—he taps my nose—“are in denial.”

I slap his hand away.“Keep your filthy paws off of me.”

“I was just trying to lighten the mood.”He drops his arm at his side.“Don’t worry.I won’t let you suffer.I’ll make your death quick.”

The finality in his statement is like barbed wire hooking into my brain.This is it.The end.He’s going to do it now, off me and let my body rot here.

“Wait.”I think fast.“I should get a last wish.”I need time to think, to come up with a plan.“That’s the custom on Earth.”

“Yes, I’m familiar with your customs.Of course, the scrolls forbid contact with this world as each planet must evolve as nature intended and no interference should be allowed.I only studied Earth and its history, species, and cultures for informational purposes.It’s important to understand the bigger picture if you want to be a good ruler.”He sighs.“And good rulers know that customs are important.Rituals and sacred ceremonies are the cornerstones of society.I suppose a last wish is not too much to ask.What do you want?”

“A nice meal.”I lick my dry lips.“Pancakes with bacon and syrup.And coffee.God, I miss coffee.”

He wrinkles his nose.“I like Earth, to share a secret with you, but I’ve never understood your vulgar taste in food.”

“That’s what I grew up with.”

“That’s what you want?”He judges me openly with a condescending look.“Not to say goodbye to the people who raised you?”

I lift my chin.“I already did that.It will devastate them if they know I’m about to die.”