“Indeed.” The princess laced her fingers. “What was truly brilliant was how he paid the blood price to awaken the crystals while stealing your magic, giving him immunity to the crystal’s taint.”

“It’s why I try kill you.” Za scowled at Vhalla. “If you die. He not win. But prince not love his people more than you. Prince let out power that will eat land and life.”

Aldrik slowly lowered his hands to the table, his eyes narrowed. Vhalla swallowed hard. She couldn’t deny it. If Za had killed her before Victor could, they wouldn’t be in this position now.

“Za.” Sehra watched Aldrik when addressing her handler. “You are not incorrect. But there is little point in saying such now.”

“Why do the crystals not taint Windwalkers?” Vhalla wanted to glean as much information as possible from the girl.

“Who knows?” Sehra didn’t seem as though she was lying or avoiding imparting a truth. “Because Windwalkers can radiate out magic more easily than other Affinities, they dissipate the taint into the air? Because the Goddess likes them better? Maybe because they were the first from the Crescent Continent? The early groups of Windwalkers weren’t very interested in sharing information with our clans.”

“So what can the crystal magic really do?” Aldrik asked.

“Anything.” Vhalla’s heart sank at the princess’s word. “It’s not a magic defined by the conventions we know.”

“It’s a greater power like that of the Crescent Continent,” Vhalla finished, remembering the Emperor’s vision, to use her to unlock the caverns to take war across the sea.

“Consider it, that you have just given birth to a demigod,” Sehra said solemnly.

“We need to go back and warn the capital.” Elecia looked to Aldrik.

“The capital is gone.” Sehra shook her head at the futility of Elecia’s suggestion.

“Don’t you say such things!” Elecia snapped.

“Elecia, calm,” Aldrik ordered. The curly-haired woman sat slowly. “The capital is bloated with soldiers from the war. If there was ever a time to brace for an attack, now would be that time.” The prince pinched the bridge of his nose with a sigh. “All that said, we should return as soon as possible. If Victor hasn’t already launched an attack, we may be able to help warn them.”

“Go on your suicide mission. Za and I will have no part.” Sehra drew her line in the sand. Aldrik studied his child bride for a long moment, his gaze searching. “I think, in light of recent events, we can reach a mutually beneficial agreement instead.”

“I am listening.” Aldrik sat back in his chair. Vhalla had to blink twice. Despite being of basic construction, it suddenly looked like a throne.

“My mother sent me south for two reasons: to thwart the Empire’s plans for the crystals and to protect our people.” Sehra was clearly ready to lay everything on the table.

“And assassinate the Emperor.” Vhalla scowled at the Northern women.

“Assassinating the Emperor would’ve supported both ends,” Sehra said easily. “But circumstances have changed.” The princess returned her attention to Aldrik. “You need my people. You need our knowledge of the crystals, our fighting prowess. Give me your word as a ruler that you will relinquish Shaldan from the Solaris Empire, and you shall have knowledge and arms for this fight.”

“Impossible.” Aldrik didn’t entertain the idea for more than a breath. “As Vhalla so aptly pointed out, you need to fight or your people will surely perish. Why would I agree to something you will do anyway?”

“The sea is not so wide between us and the Crescent Continent. We could flee.”

Aldrik considered this a long moment. “You are smart, princess. So you know that I cannot make Shaldan a free state once more. My people will rebel after the price we paid to conquer it.”

Vhalla almost pointed out that she had already said such to Sehra previously.

“Shaldan cannot be bought with Southern blood!” Za interjected angrily.

“Za, quiet.” Sehra wasn’t about to allow negotiations to be interrupted. “I want my people safe. I want Shaldan’s interests protected, now and in perpetuity.”

“Tell me you will fight with us, give us your men, your weapons, your knowledge, and you will have my word,” Aldrik agreed.

“Your word isn’t good enough,” Sehra said sharply. To Vhalla’s surprise, the girl’s eyes turned to her. “You speak highly of peace.”

“I do.” Vhalla wasn’t afraid to say so. “Our land has seen too much turmoil.”

“Will you be peace’s champion in the battle to come?”

“I will be.”

“Are you finally ready to pay the asking price for it, when the time comes?” The princess’s words had a weight to them unlike anything Vhalla had ever felt before.

“I will be,” she reaffirmed after a long moment.

Sehra took a deep breath. “I will return home, and I will tell my mother of what has happened here. She will heed my counsel, and I will tell her to fight with Solaris. To remain a part of this Empire and its future leaders who vow to fight for peace and the wellbeing of our people.”

Vhalla’s heart began to race. It was too easy. She braced herself for the princess to continue.