.Chapter 28-2
“You don’t know if that’ll be enough to dispel the magic in everyone’s minds, Dash,” I interrupted.”
What if you kill him and the damage is irreversible?”
The room fell silent after that. The weight of what I’d said settled over everyone, because they all knew I was right. We needed Kellan alive until we understood the full extent of his magical control.
“Simone’s plan could work,” Elonso finally said from across the table. “Have a little faith in your daughter, Kiana. She’s your spitting image.”
“That’s what concerns me,” Mom sighed heavily. “Troy?”
Dad rubbed a hand over his face, looking like he’d aged ten years in the past few minutes. “She has
a point.”
He looked at me, and I could see all his fears written across his expression. “I hate this, Sisi. You already went alone to that cursed kingdom once-no offense,” he quickly looked at Kane, who shook his head with a grim expression. “And we almost lost you. I don’t want to risk you again. But you have free will, and I can’t force you to stay here. We raised you, and we know how capable you are. Just…” He looked back at Kane, and his alpha authority came through in his voice. “Please look after our daughter. She’s everything we have.”
“I’m right here,” Dash rolled his eyes, but then his expression grew serious. “But I agree. We can go with you and stay in the forest until you locate Kenzi and Irene, help you from the outside until the troops arrive.”
“That sounds good,” I said at the exact same time Kane said, “Good plan.”
We looked at each other, and I caught the hint of amusement in his eyes despite the tension of the moment. Even in the middle of planning a dangerous mission, we were still in sync.
“Here’s what we’ll do,” Kane began, leaning over the map again.
***
The dinner that followed was surprisingly cozy, considering we’d just planned what could be a suicide mission. All the alphas had stayed, and Mom had outdone herself with the meal. The dining room was filled with laughter and stories, the kind of easy camaraderie that came from years of friendship and shared battles.
I was sitting between Dash and Finn, trying to act normal while hyperaware of Kane’s presence across the table. He was deep in conversation with London about trade routes, explaining how the river systems connected different territories on the other side of the mountains.
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Chapter 28-2
Claim
“The merchants always complained about the northern passage,” Kane said, cutting his meat. “Too
many rapids, not enough safe harbors. But they never wanted to pay the extra taxes for the
southern route.”
“Classic merchant mentality,” London agreed. “Want all the benefits, none of the costs.”
“Exactly. I spent three months trying to negotiate a compromise before I realized they were just
going to complain no matter what I decided.”
Dad chuckled. “Sounds familiar. Our traders are the same way.”
The conversation was easy and comfortable, but I was having trouble focusing. My stomach felt unsettled, and the smell of the garlic bread was making me nauseous. I wasn’t sure why Saul’s tonic wasn’t working. Maybe I was sick for real, and this wasn’t the pregnancy acting up? I pushed food around my plate, hoping no one would notice I wasn’t really eating.
“You feeling alright, Sisi?” Dash asked quietly, leaning closer to me.
“Just tired,” I said, forcing a smile. “Long day of planning to infiltrate enemy kingdoms, you know?”
“Excuse me,” I said, standing up from the table. “I’m going to get some fresh air upstairs.”
I made my way to my childhood bedroom, grateful for the familiar comfort of my own space. The room hadn’t changed much since I’d moved to my own place in the pack grounds. Same purple comforter, same bookshelf crammed with novels, same photos of family and friends covering
every surface.
D
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