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“Fine what?” Did that mean he agreed?

“I’ll speak with the Kwights. Go ahead with your plan.”

“Really?” Soulara squeaked.

“With a few minor changes. Makryn will not be forced into a bond.” Pregtox gave her a hard look. “I’d never force a child of mine into a bond.”

He’d always said that, but Soulara had always thought somewhere in the back of her mind, that he would easily trade her for some kind of ally. “All right.”

“Honour, on your way,” Pregtox commanded.

“Yes, Your Highness.” Honour bowed slightly before leaving them alone.

Pregtox blew bubbles into the water, and they rose above his head. “Makryn can trade our seaweed stores.”

“All of them?”

“Yes.” Pregtox swallowed. “You’ve been speaking with your mother far more than you let me know.”

“I…” Soulara trailed off, guilt eating away at her insides. “I’ve been visiting mother for many seasons. I wanted to know who she was.”

“I shouldn’t have kept you from her.” Pregtox ran his hand through his hair, tension rippling along his shoulders. Soulara had seen him like this before, but it had been a long time. “I love her still.”

The truth hit Soulara hard. She shook her head, not understanding. If they both still loved each other, why weren’t they together? She’d had to grow up in the shadow of her father with only the essence of her mother as a reminder. She’d had to grow up with Makryn hating her for being the favorite since their father gave her more attention because Milan was gone.

“I don’t understand.” Soulara’s voice cracked on the words. “If you still love her, then why isn’t she here.”

“It’s dangerous to love someone who isn’t of our people. I love Milan, yes, but she couldn’t stay here, Soulara. She tried, and she was miserable.” He ran his fingers through his hair again, tugging hard at the ends. “Your mother is a force to be reckoned with. Stunning and assertive in who she is. Our people are afraid of what she has.”

“You mean magic.”

“Yes and no.” Pregtox wrapped an arm around Soulara’s shoulders and tugged her in for a gentle hug. “Milan knows exactly who she is, and she’s unwilling to bend in that.”

Soulara breathed in Pregtox’s scent, remembering how this always comforted her when she was little and scared.

“You’re so much like her,” he whispered against Soulara’s hair. “But I couldn’t keep her here and keep her unhappy. So I let her go.”

“Because you weren’t compatible.”

“Love doesn’t conquer everything, Soulara. Sometimes even the greatest love has to die in order for each party to survive.”

“Well that’s depressing.” Soulara wrinkled her nose.

“It’s the truth. I think your plan will work, though. If you can get everyone on board with working together.”

“I’m determined.”

“Then I know it’ll work.” He kissed the top of her head. “Go find Honour.”

“Why?” Soulara pinched her face at him, giving him an odd look of confusion.

“Because she’s going to want to argue with you about going. I think you’re right though. They’re not as pacifist as they proclaim to be. No one is. The question is whether or not Honour will be able to convince them of that.”

“I believe in her.”

“Good.” Pregtox moved away from her. “We’ve got some work to do.”

“Yes, Father.” She swam out of the room, her tail heavier than it had been going in. The plans in her head were spinning a million times over, and she knew she was going to have to work quickly and precisely.