“No. Just pointing out that you’re right about one thing,” says Sophia. “We all face the consequences if any of this turns into war. And we’re just women. What can we do on our own?”
Sophia is playing weak. I don’t know what her long-term strategy is, but I’m going along with it for now.
The High Lord’s lips are a white, flat line.
He’s not entirely fooled.
He came in underestimating me, but he’s starting to catch up. And playing weak won’t work if he thinks we’re a threat. "What's going to happen to Sophia?" I ask softly.
The High Lord begins to respond, but I cut him off.
Forget playing weak.
"Before you answer that, I want you to know something,” I say. “The antivenom for serpent-panther venom exists because I made it. I'm the only person on this planet who can make more. If Sophia or Maya are harmed, I will never let you have it. Let every ruler on Xytheos takethatthought back to their biomes."
Rythar's hand tightens on my arm, but he doesn't speak. The old Rythar would have pulled me behind him and answered for me. This one waits.
The High Lord studies me. "You would let warriors die."
"The question is, are you going to let warriors die? I don’t trust you with Sophia. Or Maya. Just whatareyou doing to Maya?"
He rises from his seat, and the guards shift automatically. “Maya’s condition is beingtreated. I have not harmed her. The Starfallen Sophia will be offered the status of courtwife, with privileges and obligations appropriate to her caste.”
Sophia doesn’t flinch at his proclamation, but I feel her alarm ripple through the connection we share. She forces herself to remain composed as she asks, “What does that mean? What is a courtwife?”
“It means you will remain in my realm, provide genetic material as required, and assist in defense or security as the situation warrants," he replies coolly. "You will not be forced into union with any ruler, but you will be expected to comply with Council requests.”
Sophia’s eyes flicker briefly to me before returning her attention to the High Lord. Her voice remains steady despite her uncertainty. “Before I agree, I want to talk to Elena. Alone.”
He scrutinizes her for a beat, then nods.
Rythar’s hand is on my upper arm in an instant. I look up at him, questioning. His lips are pressed into a deep frown. He doesn’t want me separated from him.
I don’t trust the High Lord either, but I want to be alone with Sophia. I look at him, eyebrows raised.
“I’ll be right outside the door,” Rythar growls. He looks at the High Lord’s men. “Walls set to transparent.”
CHAPTER 32
JARRETT
RYTHAR — CONCORD PLATFORM ALPHA
My mate threatensthe High Lord of Xytheos in front of his own guards. She as much as told him she would send assassination venom to his biome alone, while the rest of us sit with the antidote. I’m torn between the stability Xytheos needs and the thought of cornering the High Lord with the same serpent-panthers Vorak set into my Green Reach.
The kitten I pulled from a wrecked ship is growing claws like a serpent-panther's.
Now the two human females meet behind glass, and every male here pretends not to watch them.
Jarrett watches them.
Elena needs his eyes somewhere else. So I give him something else to think about. His guards shift as I approach Jarrett, but they know better than to get in my way. His advisors find reasons to study the far wall.
"Vorak," I say.
"Your proof arrived before you did." Jarrett does not look up at me. "His guilt has already been decided by the Concord Council." He pauses before continuing. "I also saw the power you pulled retrieving your mate."
There it is.
