Page 47

“Where King Sy would be waiting to perform the custom?” Ttela said, her understanding sharp as a blade. “You’re describing a convergence of wild magic unlike anything we’ve seen since the first wave of destruction. And you want to stand at the center of it?”

“We both would be,” Naya admitted. “The binding requires proximity. We’d both be at enormous risk.”

The assembly erupted into urgent whispers in Shtǒnma and Common Tongue, voices overlapping as the implications became clear. Naya caught fragments—discussions of magical theory, references to historical disasters, debates about the feasibility of such massive binding work.

“The blood requirement,” said Yshara, addressing Naya directly. “For the nnol ttaehh mael to bind magic rather than flesh, whose blood would anchor the custom?”

The question struck Naya like ice. In all their planning, they hadn’t discussed the blood component. Traditional proximity binding required the subject’s blood to create the connection—but if they were binding magic to a place rather than a person...

“I... we haven’t determined that yet,” she admitted, hating how the uncertainty made her sound. “I was hoping the assembly’s knowledge of the binding custom could help us determine the best approach. You understand these techniques far better than I do.”

A sharp voice cut through the chamber from Naya’s left.

“You’re asking us to risk everything on a plan you haven’t fully thought through?

” The speaker was a woman with steel-gray eyes and blonde hair, her whole body blazing with indignation.

“You stand before us proposing to gather every piece of wild magic in the region into one location, and you don’t even know whose blood would anchor the custom? ”

Heat flooded Naya’s face, but she forced herself to remain calm. The woman was right—she and Akoro had been so focused on the breakthrough of reversing the technique that they’d missed crucial details.

“You’re asking our daughters to trust their lives to incomplete planning, to recklessness,” the woman continued, her voice rising. “Asking us to believe in a solution that could kill everyone if one element goes wrong.”

Naya’s mind raced, thinking through everything she’d heard about the nnol ttaehh mael and the magical infrastructure of the region.

Then she remembered what Akoro had said about his cousin.

“The blood component isn’t necessary,” she said suddenly.

“If we’re binding the magic back to where it belongs, and if we’re considering it a living thing, all we need is a sliver of the wild magic itself. ”

“All you need?” the woman said incredulously. “Do you know how powerful even the tiniest element of a nnin-eellithi is?”

“Yes,” Naya said bluntly. “A sliver attached itself to me when I created a portal back to my world. It almost killed me.”

The woman narrowed her eyes. “And what happened?”

“I dragged it to the containment area for wild magic in my land.” She held the woman’s gaze, refusing to look away until she did. It took only a moment.

The chamber went quiet, attention shifting back to the matter at hand with sharp focus.

“The Nnǐn-kka Sands already contain magical conduits,” the woman with straight black hair said. “If we bind the nnin-eellithi to the existing magical framework rather than trying to create something new...”

“Exactly. And the ‘blood’ or the actual sliver I’d use of the nnin-eellithi wouldn’t be forcing the magic into containment—” Naya looked around the circle, seeing understanding form on several faces. “—rather we’d be putting it back in its home.”

Yshara leaned forward, her expression thoughtful. “That... actually has precedent. During the height of the Tri-Dynasty, magical anchoring was done through existing conduits rather than creating new ones.”

“But the scale,” said another assembly member, a woman with graying temples. “You’re talking about binding every piece of wild magic in the region to a network of Sand Pits that were never designed for such massive influx. The magical pressure could overwhelm the entire system.”

“Or it could stabilize it,” Oshrun said quietly. “The Sand Pits have been deteriorating for decades because they lack sufficient magical energy to maintain themselves. A massive influx might restore them to their original capacity.”

Naya looked between them, trying to keep up with what they were saying. Clearly there was so much more about this world than she knew about.

Ttela’s weathered hands gripped her chair’s armrests as she studied Naya.

“You’re gambling that the existing infrastructure can handle the load.

If you’re wrong, if the Sand Pits shatter under the pressure, you’ll have drawn together more concentrated wild magic than has existed since the first wave. ”

“And if we do nothing,” Naya said, meeting the elder’s gaze directly, “the storm will strike Onn Kkulma and destroy everything anyway. At least this gives us a chance.”

“A chance built on trusting an Alpha to perform a custom designed to enslave Omegas,” said the woman with the tattoos, her face crumpled in astonishment.

“How do we know King Sy won’t simply bind you again, instead of the magic?

How do we know this isn’t an elaborate trap to kill us all now that he knows where we are?

The accusation hung in the air like poison. Several Assembly members shifted uncomfortably, the question clearly one they’d all been thinking but hadn’t dared voice.

“Because at his heart he wants to help all ssukkǔrian —not just the dynasties or the soges or a subsection of Tsashokra society. He wants all ssukkǔrians to thrive, and to be proud of their achievements. That’s all he’s ever wanted.

And that includes Omegas.” Naya paused, then spoke with quiet conviction.

“I’ve seen who he really is behind the title of king.

He is cruel and passionate and selfish, yes.

But he is the man who tends to the scar he gave me each night, who ensures I eat when I forget, who looks at me like.

..” She couldn’t find the words to explain the hunger in his dark eyes, the way his presence made heat bloom low in her belly.

“Sentiment,” Ttela said dismissively. “Alphas are skilled at making Omegas believe they care when it serves their purposes.”

“Then judge him by his actions,” Naya replied firmly.

“He agreed to all your terms without hesitation.” She looked around the room.

“He said you deserve more than what you’re asking for.

He could have insisted on conditions regarding your magical abilities, but he’s accepted that some knowledge remains yours alone.

If he wanted to target all Omegas, he would not put me in the most dangerous position to do so.

And, if he had really wanted to subjugate Omegas, he never would have stayed in the Sands obeying your rules.

He is the Alpha King of Tsashokra and yet he has shown you respect. ”

Silence stretched through the chamber as the assembly members absorbed her words. Naya met the gazes of them all. She’d believed every word she said. Finally, Oshrun rose from her carved seat, her eyes reflecting the golden light streaming from above.

“The decision is mine to make,” she said, her voice clear and strong with the authority of generations of leadership. She looked around the circle, meeting each assembly member’s gaze before settling on Naya.

“We will support your plan,” Oshrun said.

“Not because it’s safe—it isn’t. Not because it’s certain—nothing about this is certain.

But because Princess Naya is correct. King Sy killed the rest of the Sy line because of their atrocities.

Since then, nothing he has done suggests he is systematically targeting Omegas.

” She looked around the space again. “This decision is made with the knowledge that the nnin-eellithi is growing stronger, more unpredictable. We cannot hide forever, and staying isolated will lead to a slow death for us and for our children.”

A few assembly members shifted uncomfortably, but none spoke against the Khesh’s decision.

“More than that,” Oshrun continued, “this alliance represents something we’ve never had before—the chance to emerge from hiding not as helpless refugees, but as partners and equals, to contribute our knowledge and abilities to the region’s welfare instead of simply surviving in isolation.”

She turned back to Naya. “I will not commit my people to this course without a solid plan. We know the Nnǐn-kka Sands better than anyone and can examine the best way to do this.” She cast a pointed look at the blonde-haired woman, then stated, “As a visitor to this land, we do not expect you to know the ins and outs of our magical infrastructure.”

Naya nodded, grateful to her.

“However, I will also not commit to this without meeting King Sy face to face. If we are to trust him to perform a custom that could save or destroy us all, I need to judge his character myself.”

“I’ll arrange the meeting,” Naya said, understanding flooding through her. “When?”

“Immediately. If we only have three days, there’s no time for careful diplomacy. Send word to King Sy. Tell him the Khesh of the Omegas requests an immediate council.”

Naya rose from the stone bench, purpose flooding through her as the assembly began to disperse. Some members lingered to speak with Oshrun in hushed tones, but most filed out quickly, understanding that preparations would need to begin immediately.

“Princess,” Oshrun called after her, and Naya headed toward her.

The Khesh’s expression was serious, burdened with the magnitude of what they’d just committed to.

“Tell King Sy that this meeting will determine not just whether we proceed with the plan, but whether our people can truly trust each other and move forward and bridge a new alliance.”

Naya nodded, the responsibility settling around her. Everything they’d worked toward—the alliance, the solution to the storm, the future of both communities—now hinged on bringing Akoro and Oshrun together.

She hurried through the canyon passages, her mind already racing with thoughts on how best to present this to Akoro and his small council. Time was running out, and the most crucial conversation of their alliance was about to begin.

Naya emerged from the shifting sands to find Akoro standing with Oppo and Nrommo near the center of their camp, the three men engaged in what appeared to be a serious discussion.

Maps were spread across a makeshift table, and Nrommo was pointing to various locations with the focused intensity she’d come to associate with military planning.

The sight of Akoro made her chest tighten.

He stood with the unconscious grace of a born ruler, his dark hair catching the harsh desert light, the flowing lines of his robes emphasizing the powerful frame beneath.

Even from a distance, she could see the coiled strength in his posture, the way he commanded attention without effort.

All three looked up as she approached, and Akoro’s expression immediately shifted to alert concern. “You’re back early,” he said, moving toward her. “What happened?”

His voice sent warmth through her, though it was rough with worry.

“The assembly has agreed to support the plan,” Naya said, “but Oshrun wants to meet with you immediately. All of you. She needs to judge your characters before she’ll commit her people to trusting the binding curse.”

Akoro glanced at Oppo and translated quickly. Oppo went very still, his face paling slightly.

“When?” Akoro asked.

“Now. She says this meeting will determine whether your people can truly trust each other going forward.”

Nrommo stepped forward, his thick features creased with concern. “Our diplomat isn’t here. Prillu is in Onn Kkulma. We have no one trained in formal negotiations.”

“She doesn’t want diplomacy,” Naya said. “She wants to speak with the king and to judge for herself.”

Akoro nodded once, a sharp movement that settled the matter. His dark eyes held unwavering resolve. “As she should. This isn’t a situation for diplomatic protocols. This is ruler to ruler.”

“Nrommo,” Naya said, addressing the battle chief directly.

He’d been wary of her since they first met, but now that she’d spent more time with him, less as a prisoner and more as an equal, she’d come to understand why Akoro placed him as his general.

In the weeks planning for the storm, she could see the nuance of his demeanor.

“I need you to understand something. These Omegas have spent generations hiding from Alpha aggression. Any sign of hostility will destroy the alliance before it begins.”

The battle chief nodded curtly. “I understand the stakes, princess.”

“I’m not sure you do. You haven’t known Omegas; they will sense any hostility immediately.

Just remember, they’re offering partnership, not surrender,” Naya said.

“They have the power to destroy every magical tool in Tsashokra, but instead they’re choosing to help you.

Treat them like the valuable allies they could become. ”

Nrommo released a long breath. “I can do that,” he said firmly.

She turned to Oppo, her expression softening. “And you—you’re about to see Oshrun in her role as Khesh for the first time. She’s not just your mate, she’s a leader who’s kept her people safe for years. Respect that.”

Akoro translated and Oppo swallowed hard but nodded.

Akoro stepped forward, his dark eyes moving between his two council members. “Are we ready?”

Both men squared their shoulders, visible effort composing themselves for what lay ahead.

“Then let’s go meet the Omegas,” Akoro said.

As they prepared to enter the canyon, Naya caught Akoro’s arm. The moment her fingers touched his skin, electricity shot through her. He turned to her immediately, his full attention focused on her face.

“This matters more than anything we’ve done,” she said quietly. “Everything depends on this meeting.”

His hand covered hers, large and warm. “Then we’ll make it work,” he said simply, his thumb brushing across her knuckles. “Together.”

The certainty in his voice, the absolute conviction, made her believe that perhaps they really could save them all.