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“You cannot have Callan or Tula,” Eliza said, getting right to the point. She shoved at Razik’s wing to get it out of her way, ignoring the soft growl that emanated from him when she did.

Nuri rolled her eyes. “Clearly. Anyway, we were sent to ambush the Water Prince and his brother before the appointed meeting time, but they appear to have figured out our plan and left.”

“How inconvenient for you.”

“Quite,” Nuri agreed. “But then you lot showed up. Tell me, is Scarlett getting dumber across the sea?”

“Watch it,” Eliza snarled.

“She must be, becausewhy the fuckis Callan here?” She took a step closer to Eliza, and the general felt Razik tense behind her. But he didn’t move, didn’t try to come between them.

“Callan is aking,” Eliza retorted. “Scarlett cannot tell him what to do.”

“So he is the foolish one?” Nuri asked, a brow arching as her focus shifted to the mortal king. “That fits. He was sharing a bed with an assassin for a year. Finally moved on then,your Majesty?”

“Is Tava with Prince Drayce?” Callan asked through gritted teeth.

“Why would I know that?” Nuri questioned, her head tilting.

“Because you know where Briar and Sawyer are.”

“I never said that. I said they are not here. One would guess they are hiding in another territory.”

“In the south, by chance?” Azrael drawled.

Nuri shrugged. “They are not as foolish as you all appear to be. I doubt they would hide in a Fae Court or in the mortal lands.”

“When is the exchange to take place?” Rayner cut in.

“At sundown. They are to meet at the Windonelle Castle. The Water Prince and the Rydeon heirs for the Wind Princess and the babes,” Nuri answered. In the next blink, she was standing in front of Azrael and Callan, unconcerned with the thorny vines the Earth Prince had winding around her legs. “The unborn younglings are not the only innocents being used right now, Mortal King.”

“Do you always speak in riddles? You are like a godsdamn Oracle,” Azrael muttered.

“Hush, plant prince. The king and I are speaking,” Nuri chastised. Azrael bristled, but she ignored him, her focus once again on Callan. “She took his readily available innocents across the Edria, so he has found a new source.”

“The Fae Courts?” Callan asked, shifting to see more clearly around Azrael.

Nuri shook her head. “He tried, but they are too protective, which leaves…”

“Mortals?” Callan said, lurching forward a step. “From Windonelle?”

Nuri took a few slow steps back. “I believe your betrothed often visited them.”

“You speak of the slums,” Callan said. “He is taking innocents from there and…doing what he did to the Black Syndicate orphans?”

“Why?” Eliza cut in. “He took orphans from the Syndicate because they had magic in their veins. Mortal children would give him nothing.”

“Nothing but pure innocence,” Nuri countered. “He would likely require more of them without magic in their veins.”

“And you are doing nothing to protect them? Because they are not from your precious Syndicate?” Callan demanded with a sneer.

“What do you think I am doing right now?” Nuri hissed, her fangs snapping out. She whipped off one of her gloves, showing him her palm. Eliza couldn’t see anything, but she assumed a Blood Mark adorned it. “This is the best I can do, Callan. My sisters and I are clever and cunning, but we learned it from him. I have nothing left to barter for their safety with. I would if I could. You wish to be their king? Thenbe their king,Callan. Stop making idiotic choices out oflove, and make decisions as the ruler of a godsdamn kingdom.” She slid her glove back on, turning to Rayner. “Keep her hidden, Ash Rider. I can only keep her a secret for so long.”

The snake uncoiled from his arm, a soft flash of light leaving Tula standing beside him. He reached down, gripping her arm when she tried to move to Nuri. She tipped her head up to him. “Nuri won’t hurt me, Rayner.”

He gave her a tight smile in return. “I know, Tula, but we do not know when the seraphs will return.”

Tula’s brow furrowed at that, but she nodded nonetheless, stepping closer to his side.