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Alex wondered how the king and queen had any idea what she was there to share, since to the humans of Medora, Meya and its inhabitants were still nothing but a myth; a legend long lost to the past. While the mortal rulers knew more than most—thanks to Alex’s misadventures and their daughter’s role in them—she doubted the news she brought had yet reached their ears. But she couldn’t think of that now, not when D.C. looked seconds away from storming through the palace and demanding answers from her parents.

Alex placed a hand on her friend’s arm and said, “It’s fine, Dix. I’ve spent enough time around royals to be comfortable speaking with them on my own.”

D.C. looked as if she wanted to argue, but then she loosed a deep, frustrated exhale and grumbled, “I’ll definitely be talking to them about this later. Feel free to tell them that.”

Alex nodded despite having no intention of doing so and watched as D.C. took the Bubbler vial, smashed it on the ground—with considerably more force than was necessary—and stepped through.

Hearing a chuckle, Alex turned to find a smirk on Jeera’s face.

“Jordan’s going to have his hands full with that one,” the Warden said, prompting Alex to wonder just how much Jeera knew about their lives—andhow.

Before she could ask, the Warden turned and began leading the way through the palace’s opulent hallways. The home of Medora’s royal family was beautiful, but it didn’t come close to competing with the brilliance of the Meyarin palace. Where once the golden staircases and crystal chandeliers of the Tryllin palace would have wowed Alex, she now felt only a stab of nostalgia for all she’d left behind.

… And forwhoshe had left behind.

The very reason she was even striding through the Tryllin palace was because Aven was no longer the friend she had once known. He was now her enemy. And if he ever discovered that she was Aeylia, he would never stop until she and everyone she loved were dead. She’d seen it. And she was determined to do everything in her power to prevent that future, even if it meant forgetting the Aven who once was and seeing him only as the enemy she needed to defeat.

But that didn’t mean her heart hurt any less, knowing what was ahead. And what was behind.

Lost in her melancholy, Alex didn’t realise Jeera had been speaking, only focusing in time to catch the Warden’s last words, “… and they’re all ready to hear what you have to say.”

“All?” Alex repeated as they turned a corner and stopped in front of a large, gilded door. “It’s just the king and queen, right?”

Alex couldn’t read the look on Jeera’s face, just that it was partly amused, partly sympathetic and partly something else entirely. And when the Warden opened the doors, Alex understood why.

The circular room was bordered by arching gold panels reaching high up to the ceiling like stained-glass windows. The walls were covered in maps and ancient scrolls—some written in languages Alex had never seen before—and displayed an array of bejewelled weapons that would have had Jordan and Bear whimpering with glee. But Alex didn’t have time to marvel, since she was frozen in the doorway and gaping at the people within—all of whom were seated around an oval table and staring directly at her.

“Alex, welcome,” King Aurileous said, motioning her over to him. As he rose, the rest of those at the table stood as well, their chairs scraping back as they took to their feet.

Eyes wild and heart pounding, it took a pointed shove from Jeera to propel Alex into the apparent war room and approach the king.

“Hello, Your Majesty,” she said with a respectful curtsy. She repeated the gesture to the smiling queen who, unlike the others, remained seated by his side. “I, um… Am I interrupting? I can wait outside until you’re done here.”

The king’s eyes, as unique as his daughter’s, were kind and steady as he looked at Alex, but they were also darkened by shadows that hadn’t been there the last time she’d seen him.

“I understand you wished to speak with the queen and myself, but it has come to my attention that what you intend to share today should be heard by key members of my council,” the king explained, moving his arm to indicate the table. “Those in this room are my most trusted inner circle of advisors, the ranking human leaders of Medora.”

Once again, Alex wondered how he could possibly have any idea of what she needed to tell him—let alone who would need to hear it. Darrius had sworn not to breathe a word when he’d given her the Bubbler vial, just as D.C. had promised to be vague when she’d contacted her parents to arrange the meeting.

“If you’re certain, Your Majesty,” Alex said, if hesitantly. It was one thing to convince the king and queen of the impending threat—and nowwithoutD.C.’s support—but another entirely to convince a group of strangers.

But as Alex glanced around the room, she realised most of themweren’tstrangers. Aside from the king, queen and Jeera, there were five others in attendance, only two of whom Alex didn’t already know.

“If you would like to take your seat, I’ll make the introductions and you can get started,” King Aurileous said.

Jeera touched her fingers to Alex’s elbow and motioned for her to follow towards the far end of the table. As they moved, Alex couldn’t help making eye contact with those she had met before. Major Tyson was there, as was General Drock, whose scorching gaze narrowed dangerously as she passed him.

Alex knew the general’s ire was well deserved, thanks to the ruse she had pulled when she and her classmates had infiltrated the Soori Outpost during Hunter’s overnight SAS trip. As for Major Tyson, being Hunter’s inside man meant he’d known Alex wasn’t the princess she’d claimed to be—a feat he still found amusing, if his poorly concealed grin was anything to go by.

Moving her eyes quickly past them lest she start blurting out apologies and excuses, she fixed her attention on the last familiar person in the room—a welcome face, thankfully.

“William,” she greeted, surprised—and relieved—to see Bear’s father in attendance.

“Long time, no see, Alex,” he joked. To his mind, he’d seen her just a week ago. Regardless, he still wrapped her in a quick but warm embrace, his casual affection—and lack of formality—soothing her nerves. When he let her go, he kept his hands on her shoulders and his eyes roamed her face. “You must’ve been in the sun a lot this week. You’re much more tanned than when I last saw you.”

Alex forced out an awkward-sounding laugh in an attempt to deflect any further observations from the keen-eyed Warden. She then took the seat between William and Jeera at the opposite end of the oval to King Aurileous and Queen Osmada.

Not wasting any time, as soon as everyone was seated, Aurileous began his introductions. He gestured to the woman seated next to the queen who, like Jeera and William, was dressed in the familiar Warden uniform—head to toe in black with the golden emblem of two swords crossed behind a crown stitched over her heart.