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Silence and tension stretch between us.

“The damage to the compound is… extensive,” Za’tan says, breaking the moment.

“Report,” the Al’fa says, tearing his eyes away and leaving me feeling chill without the warmth of his gaze.

Za’tan gives the reports. Others come forward offering what information they have as well. Discussion resumes and plans are made. The assault will be soon because everyone agrees that time is running out. Search teams are organized and sent to try and find the missing human and those with her. I assign Khiara to take his brother and meet with Janara.

Hours pass and finally all is in place. The chamber slowly empties. Rosalind pauses in the door, looking over her shoulder with a pensive air, as if she has something to say, but isn’t sure if she should. She purses her lips, narrows her eyes, then shakes her head and leaves.

Tension lingers like smoke, curling in the corners, hanging in the breaths of every departing advisor. Only Za’tan remains, his tail quickly flicking with tight irritation as he crosses his arms. Always the same stance. Rigid and unreadable as if he is partially carved from stone. Za’tan steps forward, cutting between us like a drawn blade.

“This alliance,” he says, his voice low but sharp, “was built too quickly. On hope, not strength. And now you plan to attack the enemy with only partial intelligence?”

“I plan to strike with strategy,” I answer before the Al’fa can, lifting my chin so that I am staring at his one good eye. “Would you have us do nothing while the Paluga tears your city apart from beneath?”

“You forget, Queen, it’s notmycity that harbors the beast,” he snaps, his lip curling.

The sting of accusation pierces through me, but I don’t flinch. I meet him eye to eye, voice steady.

“No, but just the same it is yours that will crumble with the rest of us if we don’t act together.”

Za’tan’s gaze flicks to the Al’fa, who remains silent. Watching. Weighing.

“She plays you,” Za’tan says flatly. “You hesitate where once you would have crushed your enemies underfoot. Why?”

The question lands like a hammer. I expect the Al’fa to rise in anger, to deny it, to push back, but he doesn’t. Instead, he slowly stands, rising with a deliberate air. The weight of his presence shifts, filling the room, and my breath catches.

“Iamhesitating,” he says. “Because the fire I once trusted to guard my people now devours everything it touches.” His eyes settle on me. “Because she sees things I do not. Because she challenges me.” A pause. A beat of breath. “And because I trust her. Right now I trust her more than I trustyou, Za’tan.”

Za’tan’s jaw tightens. I expect him to protest, to argue, but he only exhales sharply through his nose and storms out. And just like that, it’s only the two of us again.

Silence folds in, pressing close. The chamber feels smaller without witnesses, the walls thicker with the weight of all the things we haven’t said. I don’t look at him.

Ican’t. Because if I do, I’ll fall into that heat again. And I don’t know if I’ll be capable of climbing back out.

“You defend me,” I murmur, staring at my hands. “Even when it costs you.”

“You are not weak,” he says behind me. “But they see you as fragile. Soft. They mistake your restraint for frailty.”

“And you don’t?”

“I did.”

The honesty of it slices deep. I turn slowly, locking eyes with him.

“And now?”

He doesn’t move. Doesn’t blink. His voice is quiet—raw and scraped down to truth.

“Now I see steel beneath your calm. And I cannot stop myself from reaching for it.”

“You speak as if you want something from me,” I say, my throat tightening.

“I wanteverythingfrom you.” I inhale sharply, but he’s closing the distance. “I want your voice in my ear when I make decisions. I want your presence beside me when I walk into battle. I want your rage, your fire, your stubborn refusal to bow.” His hand lifts but doesn’t touch me. Hovering close enough to feel and staying there. “And I want the part of you no one else has dared claim.”

“Careful,” I whisper, heart hammering.

He leans in, not touching, but close, so close I feel the warmth of his breath.