Aaden filled Blaise and me in on what had led up to the attack as we ate. The guards were seated at a table next to us in one of the large meeting rooms while Blaise, Aaden, Morgan, and I, plus a few more of Aaden’s advisers, sat together.

Well, most of the guards were sitting at the table. Two were situated at the door behind us at any given time as they rotated places. They were taking their guarding duties seriously, which I appreciated.

“We stopped transporting clean water over to Eli’s flock.” Aaden started as soon as we were situated. “We didn’t have a whole lot of time to get fully briefed—I had sent a message to Eli to have his representative come today, less than an hour after we arrived. He did not take kindly to it,” Aaden said grimly.

“There must have been something more than that,” Blaise said sharply, putting down the knife and fork he’d been using. “All the flocks know that there will no longer be any favoritism, which includes the perks Emberich had doled out during his reign.” He shook his head, looking around. “What else did you do to provoke him?”

A beat of silence as the temperature at the table dropped.

Way to alienate everyone here in less than ten seconds of opening your mouth. I gave Blaise a quelling glance that he did not accept with grace.

“When did you stop transporting the water?” I asked, breaking the silence and redirecting their thoughts. Giving everyone a chance to just ignore Blaise.

“After the first announcement,” Morgan offered stiffly. “We didn’t see any reason to continue after that.”

I nodded. It made sense. “And they didn’t do anything about it until now?”

“Eli sent a message over asking where the shipment was,” Geran said, his light tenor carrying easily across the table.

“I told him we were no longer required to give his flock a percentage of our clean water,” Aaden said, his eyes meeting mine. “He said we were a long ways from the capital. That we shouldn’t get too comfortable.” He sighed. “A few days later, Hiyna and her group were out on one of their regular transport jobs when they were attacked.”

“They knew exactly when they were going to be there. It wasn’t a secret—they aren’t traveling with valuables, just basic cargo,” Morgan added. “They were waiting for them to fly by.”

Aaden said, “There were twice as many of them as in Hiyna’s group. And they told them to convey a message. ’Know your place,’” he spit out in disgust. “Eli spent too much time hiding behind Emberich. My first instinct was simply to wipe the floor with him.” His smile held no humor. And I didn’t doubt that Aaden could lead the flock to victory. “But then I calmed and thought with a clear head.”

“Yes, we could not have supported a counterattack,” Blaise agreed.

Everyone ignored him in silent agreement.

“It was good you contacted me,” I said to Aaden after a moment. “You have the clear high ground here. Makes things easier for both of us.”

He nodded, sitting back.

“Precisely. I have to warn you, though, Adara—if they attack again, we will defend ourselves with appropriate force. Lethal force if necessary. I won’t allow them to hurt our people again.”

“Self-defense is permitted,” I murmured, hoping it wouldn’t come to that. But I wouldn’t leave them effectively shackled by telling them they couldn’t fight back.

“During an attack, you might defend yourself, but a counterattack is not self-defense—” Blaise sputtered.

This time, I didn’t have to stop Blaise from spouting out all the careful parameters he wanted Aaden to follow for defending his flock. He was cut off by a young boy who couldn’t have been more than twelve, a messenger’s emblem on on his shoulder. “Eli’s people have been spotted!” he announced as soon as he saw Aaden.

Aaden stood. “I think it might be best if all of us meet them at the clearing, don’t you agree?” he asked.

I nodded, and Blaise murmured his agreement. Hopefully, our presence would help ensure this didn’t devolve into something completely unproductive.

We all followed Aaden out to the clearing just in time to see ten of Eli’s flock completely surrounded by Aaden’s guards in the sky above.

Not that I could blame them. Not after what Eli’s flock had done.

We stood on the sidelines and watched the group land, part of their escort breaking off and going back to their posts, part landing around them. Aaden wasn’t taking any chances.

Good.

As the phoenixes started to change, I scanned them, searching for Eli, but he wasn’t there. I snorted quietly to myself.

Of course he hadn’t come. Eli was best at taking care of Eli. He never took chances when it came to his personal safety. As I watched them dress, I thought about how to approach this. It really all depended on the tone the person in charge here set.

As I scanned the people, my gaze settled on Bren. Tall and muscular, his Asian heritage gave him thick dark hair that he kept long, tied back in a ponytail. He was also Eli’s right hand man.

As he turned and strode towards us first, I knew I was right. Bren was going to be talking point.

Bren would also do exactly as Eli had instructed him.

This wasn’t going to be easy.

Bren stopped in front of us, nodding, his eyes lingering on me, a tinge of surprise coloring his usually inscrutable features. “Aaden. Adara—it’s a surprise to see you here.”

“We wanted to make sure there was no ambiguity in our response,” I said evenly.

He gave a thin smile. “Of course.” He turned his attention back to Aaden. “Thank you for having us.”

This wasn’t a social visit, and I could see Aaden fighting not to say the same polite greeting.

“We have much to discuss,” Aaden finally said, settling on something neutral. “Follow us.”

“Of course,” Bren agreed, his voice quiet as he gestured at his guards and two others who I assumed were there to advise. Both were women, with even features and tanned skin similar enough I would have ventured to say they were sisters, or related at the very least.

Bren raised a brow at the number of guards that had followed us out, but didn’t comment as we made our way to another section of the building.

Aaden didn’t offer Bren and his people anything beyond a drink of water. I wondered if that was supposed to make some kind of point or if he just couldn’t bring himself to treat them as guests. Either way, Bren and his people didn’t seem to take offense as they sat down on one side of a large, circular table and Aaden and his people sat at the other, with Blaise, the guards, and me in between them. The ones that couldn’t fit at the table took up posts behind us, against the wall. There was nowhere else to sit. The table was the only furniture in the room.

Blaise cleared his throat.

I was fine with him breaking the ice in this situation.

“We are here today because of an attack on Aaden’s flock that left multiple people injured, some severely.” He paused, waiting for Bren to jump in. When he didn’t, Blaise cleared his throat again. “Is there a reason why Eli is not here himself?” He looked down his nose at Bren, at his most haughty.

Bren’s expression didn’t change. “He had prior engagements,” he explained succinctly.

And making it clear that Eli didn’t think this meeting was worth his time.

Morgan made a sound, but Aaden sent her a look and she quieted, still glaring at Bren. He didn’t bat an eyelash. Lovely.

Figuring that was enough skirting around the issue, I didn’t bother being circumspect. “Why did members of your flock attack Aaden’s?” I asked point blank, watching Bren’s face.

Still no change in expression. He probably made a killing at poker.

“They didn’t deliver on what they owed us,” he said after a brief pause.

“What, specifically, did they owe you?” I pushed.

Bren’s eyes narrowed fractionally, but I caught the movement. Did they really think we’d just let something like this go?

“Three percent of their water for the month,” he said.

“Did you not receive the notice that no preferential treatment would be given to any flock?” Blaise said, re-inserting himself into the conversation.

“We did,” Bren acknowledged. “This was an agreement between our two flocks. It did not involve the King.”

“An agreement forced upon us by Emberich,” Aaden growled. “Don’t be disingenuous, Bren. It doesn’t suit you.”

“If someone goes back on their word, goes back on an agreement, then we are within our rights to retaliate.” Bren’s eyes narrowed.

“You no longer have Emberich to back you. You are treading on dangerous ground.” Aaden’s voice was tight with anger.

“Bren,” I interrupted. “What were the terms of this agreement?”

He looked back at me, his eyes cold. “We received a percentage of your flock’s clean water.” He leaned towards me. “And I must say, I have to object to you being here. You have an obvious bias in this case.”

“Perhaps,” I acknowledged. “But our policies are clear—and Blaise has no bias in this case at all. I think anyone would agree to that.” There was a reason having Blaise here was actually useful. I leaned towards Bren, meeting his eyes head on. “Now. What did you give in exchange for the water?”

I asked even though I knew the answer. Sometimes a little showmanship didn’t hurt.

His mouth tightened.

“Nothing,” I finished for him. “You gave back nothing. I think we can all acknowledge that isn’t an agreement anyone would happily comply with.” I sat back. “It wouldn’t matter if the shoe was on the other foot—Emberich’s favors are no longer enforceable by him. On the other hand, Sven’s policies will be enforced.”

“You cannot simply void all previous agreements,” Bren argued, his jaw clenched.

“Yes, we can,” Blaise said in an irritated voice. “That is what it means to be King. You had better get used to the fact that you have a new one.”

I agreed with Blaise.

But as much as I wanted to keep bludgeoning Bren, I needed to make an effort to smooth things over as well, so I continued on a softer track. “If any flock has need of water, food, any necessity, they can and should contact the Crown. Are you in need of water?” I asked.

Bren’s nostrils flared. “No, we are not,” he bit out. “But tradition should not be broken like this.”

“Traditions must be broken to invoke change,” I said gently, feeling almost sorry for him. “This is not negotiable.”

Especially not when this “tradition” was being used to try to keep Aaden’s flock under Eli’s thumb. I knew he was simply attempting to retain the upper hand wherever he could, no matter how idiotic the means.

“Furthermore,” I continued, “if anyone attacks on neutral ground or air unprovoked, there will be an investigation. Fines will be the least of the repercussions. Imprisonment is not out of the question. Nor are even harsher means.”

To my surprise, Bren laughed.

Laughed.

“You cannot simply have us dance to your tune,” he sneered. “We have power as well.”

Then we started all over again, going in circles that went nowhere. It was frustrating, to say the least. I finally had to call an end after multiple back and forths between all of us, the tone getting harsher and angrier every minute we continued.

The guards were visibly restless at our raised voices, their sharp eyes taking in the scene.

“Enough!” I called out, slamming my hands on the table to stop the argument between Morgan and Bren. So much for diplomacy. “This is a new day,” I said in only a slightly softer voice now that I had everyone’s attention. “With new rules.”

I met Bren’s eyes. “Tell Eli he must adapt. There is no other choice.”

Bren pushed his chair out and stood abruptly, his eyes cold. “We’ll see.”

Aaden didn’t say anything, standing and nodding at his people to escort Bren and his people out.

The mood was somber. This was not the ideal ending to these talks. But it was clear Bren had come with instructions not to give an inch. It didn’t make much sense, practically speaking. Whether or not Eli and his flock wanted Sven to be their King, the fact of the matter was, it didn’t matter.

I would have thought Eli was enough of a political animal to realize that and act accordingly. This was more akin to a toddler refusing to give up his toy.

“I am sorry that did not go better,” I said into the silence, meeting Aaden’s eyes. “But know that we support you in this matter and will aid you if there is another act of aggression.”

“Another unprovoked act of aggression,” Blaise chimed in primly. “But yes, in this case I do believe it is clear who is at fault.” He frowned, apparently just as unhappy as I was with the way things went.

Aaden’s anger had calmed as soon as Bren was out of sight. “In truth, I didn’t expect a better outcome,” he admitted.

“Eli isn’t the smartest phoenix,” Morgan concurred.

Aaden nodded. “Just so. Cunning, but not very intelligent.” He stood, looking around at the rest of us. “I’ll have my people shown to your rooms for the night. You are welcome to join us for dinner, though I will also understand if you would like to eat in your rooms.”

That sounded like what I needed. Some time alone with my thoughts.

The guest rooms occupied two wings of the building. The same young boy who had announced Bren’s arrival led our contingent to one of them, turning to look over his shoulder at us periodically with big, curious eyes. I hid a smile and didn’t acknowledge it. It would only embarrass him.

I used the walk to send Sven a message, catching him up on how the talks had gone. I wish I had better news, but we’d done the best we could have, under the circumstances.

“This is your room, Lady, er, Consort, uh...”

I smiled at the boy. “Adara is fine,” I reassured him. “Thank you.”

He blushed and stepped back, nodding. “The guards have the rooms on either side of you, but I figured they would want to see where you are,” he explained.

“We do,” Reelin agreed. “Thank you,” he added gravely.

The boy drew himself up as the importance Reelin gave him boosted his confidence. I hid another smile.

“You are across the hall, sir,” he said to Blaise.

Blaise nodded, muttering something to himself as he went over to the room.

Reelin watched him go and then turned to me. “Amna and I will take the first shift,” he informed me. “We shall rotate. Simply give us a moment to clear the room—”

“I’m sure it’s fine,” I interrupted, conscious of the boy’s big eyes and ears listening. I wasn’t naive enough to think he wouldn’t relay everything said back to Aaden. “I trust my flock and this is at the center of it.”

Reelin frowned. “I do not think it wise.” But then he saw my eyes flick over to the boy and he sighed. “Very well,” he gave in. “We shall be waiting here if you have need of us.”

“Thank you.” I turned to the other guards. “All of you.”

They nodded to me, waiting until I’d gone into my room to move to theirs. I closed the door behind myself with a sigh of relief. I needed some alone time to process things.

The room was a nice one, with a large bed and a sitting area, everything done in a soothing pallet of greens, browns, and creams. The guest wings all vaguely resembled hotels, complete with robes hanging in the bathroom and an internal phone at the side of the bed. Aaden had given us the nicest rooms, a sign of respect. I appreciated it, for the guards more than for me.

I moved to sit down on the soft bed, weariness weighing me down just at the sight of it.

The curtains moved at the window, and a shadowy figure slipped out from behind them.

I froze.

Perhaps I should have let the guards sweep the room after all.

Stupid, very stupid.