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Cove asks, “Is there an antidote?”

“In Faerie, antidotes are for poisons,” Elixir replies. “Intrinsically, this plant is a strengthening agent, a boost that cures what is lacking. You cannot create an antidote for something that already functions as a remedy.”

“Technically, it’s a loophole,” Puck translates. “The cocksucker is basically abusing the flower’s original purpose and calling it enhancement instead of manipulation. On the surface, he can’t be accused by the Solitaries of violating the sacredness of the fauna.” He whistles without humor. “Very cunning.”

“Very Fae,” I remark.

“Then let’s destroy the flower before he harvests more,” Juniper resolves.

“It’s called the Evermore Blossom for a reason,” Elixir revokes. “It cannot be destroyed.”

“Neither burned, nor contaminated, nor diced into pieces,” I say. “It can’t be replicated or pulled from its roots.”

“Oh, come on,” Lark protests. “Nothing’s wholly eternal. Not even the three of you.”

“You’re right. But the only way to destroy the Evermore Blossom is for the wild to fade, which isn’t exactly ideal. And even if we could destroy it, the flower is located on enemy turf.”

“Marvelous,” Puck vents. “An indestructible weapon confined to fatal terrain. So he has access to the plant whenever he wants.”

“Scorpio knows we can’t get to the flower without risking our lives,” I say. “And there’s nothing to be done against the blossom even if we reach it. Regardless, he withheld this information until the last minute, when his willpower faltered.” My eyes swing toward Cove. “I suspect you hit a nerve. It provoked him to supply us with a stronger exit speech.”

Cove winces, eyes solemn. “Actually, his exit speech was meant for Elixir.”

My brother’s jaw softens as he threads their hands together. “You underestimate your effect on even the fiercest of Faeries.”

“Maybe, but that’s because there’s only one fierce Fae whose reaction matters to me.”

To that, Elixir’s mouth slants into a furtive grin.

Juniper goes rigid and addresses The Parliament. “If he wants to use more of this Evermore Blossom on the fauna, he could breed an army of animals.”

“Potentially,” I concur on behalf of the owls once Tímien has projected their reply.

“The Solitaries won’t go for it,” Puck contests with a shake of his head, his earrings tinkling. “Sure, enhancement through a natural source gives them an outlet, but everything has its limits. One raven, yes. A handful of dwellers, probably. A stampede of sacred fauna at their behest, no.”

“Oh, brother,” I reply. “Never underestimate the double-standards of a Fae who’s operating on an anger streak. We can’t lie verbally, but we can lie to ourselves.”

“Denial is an intoxicant,” Elixir says. “For they shall convince themselves what they’re doing is just.”

“Either that, or he’ll find a way to blame us for ‘being forced’ to expand to large quantities of other fauna.”

Juniper squares her shoulders. “So, we stop him by—”

“By removing his heart from his body,” Puck votes.

“By winning this battle,” Lark proposes.

“By stopping the battle before it begins,” Cove counters.

“I was going to say, by solving the Fable,” Juniper rebuts. “That will spare the fauna and prevent war in the first place.”

By all means, The Parliament concurs with her on this.

I deliver their concession aloud and summarize, “Essentially, we stop him by doing what we’ve been doing.”

“With an extra perk,” Lark hints and glances at Cove with a twinkle in her eye. “Seems we didn’t need Fae maneuvers to pry open Scorpio’s mouth.”

“That, we didn’t,” I agree.