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“Do you know every lesson we attempted to teach that male to prepare him, he always found a way around it?” Axilla shook her head.

“That sounds like Aculus,” she laughed.

Axilla stared outside at the bustling city across the broad estuary. “Our people hold their traditions dear when it comes to the Conclave and their own conclaves. Yet when Aculus gained the rank Chief Commander of the Paladin the people rallied in a way we never expected.”

“He’s a great commander and leader.” She nodded and smiled.

“It shouldn’t have come as a surprise that you’re his weakness, instead of one of the conclave we chose,” Axilla laughed incredulously.

This conversation was such a mixed bag of tricks. She hardly knew what to expect from one sentence to the next.

“Sorry to disappoint you.” She grimaced at the matron.

“I was and wasn’t disappointed. I honestly didn’t think Aculus would find his weakness at all, the way he avoided his conclave. And then we discovered it’s a foreigner,” Axilla sighed. “Do you know how rare that is among the Osivoire?”

“No.” She had no clue.

“I’d like to say your bond will be accepted. I hope that it will with as many races that encompass our nation, because despite what you may think, I don’t want Aculus to suffer.”

“And it would be a terrible loss if he abdicated,” Nadzia added, understanding where Axilla was coming from.

“Aye.” Axilla nodded. “He is our future, not just because he was born the Premiere Servant, but because of who he is.” The woman pounded on her chest.

There was more to Axilla than she expected to discover after these last few days.

“I won’t give him up,” she informed the matron.

Axilla looked at her like she was insane. “Of course not, you are his weakness.”

Good.

“And I refuse to share him. I’m too jealous for that,” Nadzia added.

“I truly don’t understand that. Everyone knows there’s strength in numbers. And there’s no guarantee you’ll bear a male to carry on the line. Our conclave was lucky to be blessed with two males,” Axilla frowned at her looking befuddled. “But Aculus denounced his conclave so clearly he’s accepting of this.” The woman sighed in resignation.

As shocking as it was, it sounded like they were in agreement.

“Besides that, I’d do anything for him,” she said earnestly, looking Axilla square in the eyes.

“Then you aren’t just his weakness, you are his strength.” Axilla smiled sincerely.

Nadzia repressed the moisture building in the corner of her eyes.

“So, what do we do?” she asked.

Aculus

“Nadzia!” He awoke with a start, bolting upright in bed.

“She’s well,” Merus swiftly assured as he sat beside him. “Sorry I woke you.”

“It’s fine.” The dream of the raptors turning on Nadzia faded as he focused on his brother.

“I won’t keep you up long. I just wanted to check that you were in one piece. I returned from Dospur to learn you nearly had your shell handed to you twice today.”

“I’ve suffered worse. Cartil patched my shell.” He tapped his shoulder.

“I remember. I nearly became the Premiere Servant when you took on the Tokkumi. But a close encounter with a pair of Xerocle? Break me!” Merus shook his head. “Where did they even come from?”