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"The nobles in Sídhe have never been richer, never held more power. Yet here you are, risking everything to help the very realm you're stealing from."

Lord Soleil's expression hardened. "Prosperity built on the suffering of others isn't prosperity at all—it's parasitism. And it can't last." He set down his wine glass carefully. "People like my brother may be content watching our realm grow fat while another withers, but I've seen where this path leads." He shook his head. "What happens when there's nothing left to drain from Umbrathia? Where do you think the King will turn next?"

Lady Soleil reached for her husband's hand. "The nobles think they're untouchable in their golden towers. But they're just as blind as everyone else. This isn't sustainable—and when it falls apart, it won't matter how rich or powerful anyone was."

"Balance has been completely disrupted throughout the realms," Lord Soleil went on, "I know many do not follow the teachings of the Esprithe, but I've always been a devout follower of their wisdom. And this crime cannot go unpunished."

I watched Aether fight back a scoff, but something at Soleil's words tugged at me, and I wasn't sure why.

"Which is why we need something bigger than sneaking people across the border," Lord Soleil continued, refusing to wilt underAether's stare. "We've been gathering support, slowly. Carefully. We've even managed to turn a few officers within the Guard. But there's only so much we can do with that level of influence." He paused, sharing a look with his wife. "What we need is someone higher up. Someone with real power."

"A General," Lady Soleil added softly.

I felt Aether go still beside me.

"Osta mentioned how close you and Laryk Ashford had become," Lord Soleil said.

Heat rushed to my face. I shot a look at Osta, who suddenly found her plate fascinating. Then I felt Aether's eyes on me.

"Ah," he said quietly. "So that's him."

"What exactly do you expect me to do?" I asked, my fingers curling around my untouched wine glass.

"Ashford has always been... unpredictable," Lord Soleil said carefully. "He openly despises my brother, which is a point in his favor. But more than that, he's always been the one to question things. The only General who ever pushes back against direct orders." He leaned forward slightly. "If any of them could be convinced of the truth, it would be him."

Aether's eyes went dark as he pushed his plate forward a bit too forcefully. Osta leaned back in obvious fashion now, eyes darting between us, her head tilting slightly.

"The blood oaths have to come first," I said, trying to redirect the conversation. "It doesn't matter who we convince in the Guard if they can't speak about what they know."

"I couldn't agree more." Lord Soleil nodded. "The blood oaths must be destroyed."

"It was one of our plans," I admitted.

"A few of my guards work the front gates of the Compound," he offered. "They could grant you access?—"

"We won't need that," Aether's voice cut through the air,carrying a distrusting tone. "It'll only draw attention. Better to enter our own way."

"The place is heavily fortified," Lord Soleil countered.

Aether scoffed, still refusing to touch the food in front of him.

"But... whatever method you prefer," Soleil conceded, clearly noting Aether's darkening mood.

"They're all kept in Luminaria, right?" I asked. "Even the ones from other regions?"

"Yes, all stored at the Compound."

"Then that's our first priority," I said firmly, before turning to Lady Soleil. "Have you ever seen anything about the King? About his focus?"

Lady Soleil looked at her husband before responding. "I've never been able to see anything regarding him. I can only see clear visions of people I've actually interacted with." Her fingers traced the rim of her glass. "And I've never met him personally. Rather frustrating, actually."

"We learned something in Umbrathia." I shifted forward, lowering my voice though there was no one close enough to hear. "A tether—I mean, a focus. Called a siphon. One who can transfer essence from one place to another."

The table went silent. Even the waves seemed to still.

"It would make sense," Eron finally said, his eyes lighting up. "We've never known exactly how they're managing it. We thought it must have something to do with the arcanite towers."

"The arcanite is just storage." I watched their faces as understanding began to dawn. "But the King has to come second to all of this. His people need to be told the truth before we can do anything about him. They need to be given the opportunity to choose their own side in this war."