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Snatching him up by the edge of his collar, she brought them nose-to-nose and hissed, “In case it wasn’t abundantly clear, the first conversation between us after the chasm and its horrors should not have been this one, you absolute arsehole—which is exactly where the Council can shove their summons. I understand what I agreed to when I took the stone, what it means for my life and future, but I’ll come when I’m good and ready.

“And while we’re at it, I don’t appreciate you enlisting the help of your gentlest brother in an attempt to placate me.” She tossed Araxis like a piece of rubbish, done and dismissed, and aimed the last of her ire at Vann. “Shame on you for agreeing to it.”

There she was. Magnificent. Brand would be so proud of his mate.

“Hear, hear,” Fern called out, one hand cupped around her mouth.

Lyriat raised a withering brow at the Fae. “Rich, coming from you,” he murmured, “considering I know what you lot have been up to this morning.”

As if to prove his point, Lunara sagged, all her energy draining away when her feet hit the ground.

Lyriat wasn’t worried. Her spark, her rage, was alive and well. And she’d just given him a win he desperately needed, though she didn’t know it.

“I’ll be upstairs,” she announced. “If anyone would like to visit my mate to offer him their unconditional love and support, you know where to find him.”

“Wait, Lunara,” Araxis said. “Please understand⁠—”

“Enough.” Lyriat’s command boomed over the empty hall, cutting him off.

Lunara misted, gone before that single word stopped echoing.

Chaotic creature that she was, Fern broke out in a fit of giggles. “Well, that was fucking fantastic.”

Lyriat pinched the bridge of his nose on a sigh. “Might I suggest you follow your friend and ensure she is well?”

“My pleasure.” She threw a rude gesture at Araxis and took to the air. “Ta, Axie.”

Lyriat thought Araxis might actually combust as the massive double doors slammed behind her.

“Please tell me there was a good reason for this breach of basic decency, never mind the familial aspect,” he said, finally standing. “Because I think you and I both know she was completely correct in her rather cutting assessment just now.”

Araxis’s cold facade broke at last, the Fifth Imperial Son scrubbing both hands over his face. “I had no choice.”

“There’s always a choice.”

Araxis shook his head. “No. There isn’t. But please believe there was good reason and that I detested every minute of that.”

Interesting.

“I’d like to make a deal with you,” Lyriat said, every last particle in his body homed in on Araxis as he descended from the dais.

Ah, yes. There was that typical Sorcerit glint in the eye. Araxis only slightly narrowed his crystalline stare, but there was no hiding his intrigue. The way his head tilted the tiniest bit to one side. Even Nachthelliae’s Blessed High Ambassador couldn’t resist the prospect of a transaction.

Vann sighed, already backing away. “I shall take Lunara up on her offer and go have a sit with Brand.”

Perfect.

“Hedda,” Lyriat called over his shoulder, “please accompany our guest to his destination.”

“Not bloody likely,” she growled.

Lyriat spun on her, the markings of his rage flashing bright. “You will do as your king commands, Second.”

Not only because he wanted privacy. Both Vann and Araxis had been off for weeks. Since he couldn’t put his finger on why, and because Lyriat didn’t trust a single damned soul outside of his immediate family anymore, they would not be receiving the benefit of his doubt. Not until he was sure of them.

Hedda’s impertinence lasted as long as it took for her to realize what was happening. With a believably derisive grunt, she belted her axe and crossed the Hall to meet Vann. Fortunately, neither brother was paying attention when she turned to mouth be careful just before slipping out.

“Now, my proposal.” He called to the stone, his power flaring. From out of the polished floor, a table and two chairs rose, and he gestured for Araxis to join him as he took his usual seat at the head. “Once she’s more settled and we have a modicum of certainty regarding Brand, I will attempt to convince Lunara to willingly take her rightful place in the Evesong, in exchange for a direct point of contact with you.”