Frances was on top of the southern wall of Erlenberg, looking through her spyglass at Helias’s camp. Her left arm was in a sling.

Normally, this would be incredibly risky as the Alavari had taken these areas of Erlenberg. However, this morning, their scouts had reported all the Alavari in the city, even in the north, had withdrawn.

The carnage across explained why. The ruins of Helias’s camp were filled with graves that the Alavari was continuing to dig. The camp itself had been vacated and soldiers were continuing to drag themselves, and a long line of carts filled with wounded, to Antigones’s northern camp.

“Holy shit. How…did we destroy Helias’s army?” Ayax stammered.

Elizabeth nodded and made the sign of a cross.

“Why are you praying for them, Liz?” Ginger asked, frowning.

“They may have been child murderers, but they were still living things.” Elizabeth whispered a short prayer, whilst Martin turned away from the sight. As he looked towards the western mountains, though, he blinked and stared.

“Hold up, Frances can you look over there?”

Frances looked over to where Martin was pointing. There was a cloud of dust approaching towards Erlenberg’s westernmost gate. A mounted party of Alavari with white flags.

“It looks like a delegation, but for what? We didn’t take any prisoners and I don’t think they took any of ours,” said Frances.

Martin crossed his arms. “Well whatever it is, we’ll find out soon.”

Frances was about to reply when she felt her hand mirror vibrate. Putting her spyglass away, she opened it to find her mother’s beaming face.

“Frances, it’s good to see you and your friends again.” Edana frowned. “Dear? You’re hurt. What happened to your arm?”

“Mom! Oh um, I got wounded last night. I’m alright, though. How are you?” Frances asked, smiling.

Edana seemed to wrestle with deciding to ask more questions but ultimately sighed. “I’m feeling fantastic because I finally have some good news. I managed to convince the War Council to recall the Erisdalian Expeditionary Force from Roranoak, and get Martin’s mothers, Igraine, and a few local lords and ladies to muster an army from their personal troops. They’re encamped at the pass from Conthwaite to Erlenberg.” Edana winced. “I’m sorry, they only have about twelve thousand soldiers, but they can harass Antigones and Helias’s armies and take some pressure off of the siege.”

Frances glanced at her friends and exhaled. “Mom, what do you know of what we tried last night?”

Edana blinked. “I remember you said you reconciled with Ivy’s Sting and that Erlenberg was going to try something, but you said you couldn’t tell me because you signed a magical contract.”

Frances groaned. “Sorry! I forgot. We and the garrison launched a night attack on General Helias’s camp. Um, see for yourself.” Tilting the mirror over her shoulder, Frances showed her mom the vista behind her.

Edana blinked, rising from her seat to move closer to her mirror. “That… by Amura and Rathon. How many combat losses do you think you inflicted?”

Frances shrugged helplessly, and it was Martin who spoke up. “At least half of Helias’s army I think,” said the knight.

“Maybe even up to nine or ten thousand. There are a lot of graves, but then you also have the wounded and deserted,” added Ginger quietly, averting her gaze. She was still shy around Edana, though, she’d overheard Frances speaking to her mother many times.

“That explains the envoy. One just arrived in Erlenberg right now, Master Edana,” said Martin in realization. “I think that with the reinforcements that are arriving and their losses last night, they realized they needed to negotiate a retreat.”

“But, how? I mean, a surprise night attack certainly explains part of it, but I can’t imagine that’s the only reason why they took such heavy casualties,” said Edana, shaking her head.

Ayax grinned. “Cuz created a lightning spell that would take advantage of a thunderstorm, Master Edana. I hear they’re calling Frances “Stormcaller” now.”

“Ayax!” Frances whined. “It wasn’t just me, we had as many mages as we can spare engaging them.”

“Still, you got your mage epithet. And so young…” Edana shook her head. An awed smile was spreading across her features. “That’s amazing.”

“Mage epithet?” Elizabeth asked.

“It’s like a nickname for famous mages, Liz, like how Master Edana’s is Firehand, and my father was ‘the Valourous,’” Ayax explained.

“Dom’s not a mage, though,” said Edana, blinking.

Ayax winced. “Oh, sorry, Master Edana, I meant my birth father, Allaniel.”

Edana’s face contorted with shock.

“Wait, you’re Allaniel’s daughter? Wait—he’s dead?” Edana stammered. She staggered into her seat. “Shit. He didn’t deserve that.”

The friends blinked, exchanging glances with a confused-looking Ayax.

“I… I suppose it never came up with Master Edana. You knew my father?”

Edana nodded. “I didn’t know him well, but six years before the war, about nine years ago now, some of the continent’s best human and Alavari mages worked together to take down Ixtar the Agoniser. We hoped that this joint effort would ease some of the tensions between the kingdoms. He was getting older, so he didn’t participate in the combat, but he did a lot of the research and planning to help us corner Ixtar. I… I liked him a lot. He was charming and really helped to bind the group together.”

Ayax closed her eyes and whispered a quiet thanks as Elizabeth and Frances put their hands on her shoulder.

Something was bothering Frances however about this new detail. She wasn’t sure what precisely it was, though, so she filed it in her mind for later.

“I’m really glad to hear that the siege is going better for all of you. Be careful, though. It’s not over. They might try to negotiate for absurd terms,” said Edana.

“Did you tell Alexander already?” Elizabeth asked.

“Yes. So he should be a little more prepared for the first envoy. Just sit tight for the moment, and get some rest. You all deserve it.” Edana smiled. “Oh, and by the way Martin, your sister might be able to visit. She told me to tell you… prepare your hair?”

The knight uttered a groan, accompanied by a smirk. “She likes to tug my hair. Thank you Master Edana for the heads up.”

“And for organizing the reinforcements, you saved us there,” said Elizabeth.

Frances blushed as her mother beamed, her green eyes looking meaningfully at her. “You’re all welcome.”

Alavari camp…

“Dear, shouldn’t you be better dressed to meet a royal envoy?” Titania asked.

Antigones wasn’t inappropriately dressed, at least in Titania’s view. She loved when her husband wore shirts that were too tight for him. The problem was that an envoy might not want that, or might want that too much.

“Your father and his cronies can go—”

“Yes, they can go and freeze to death, but it is a royal envoy.” She swallowed. “You can’t let them know yet.”

Antigones didn’t grumble, he scowled and threw his jacket on. Titania had to reach over and button it up.

“There, all good.”

“Thank you.” The general touched his wife’s cheek. “You might have to do most of the talking, though.”

“I can do that.” Titania settled herself in a chair next to her husband. The envoy had to be arriving soon. The messenger had told them they just arrived at the camp. “Where’s Helias by the way?

“Recovering from a wound. Elizabeth the Otherworlder hit him pretty hard,” said Antigones.

Titania rolled her eyes. “Coward.”

“Agreed.” Sipping his glass, Antigones passed the pitcher of wine to his wife. “Any bets on who it is?”

Taking the pitcher and pouring herself a cup, Titania shrugged. “I’m not sure actually. I would have said Count Henroar, but he’s off with General Berengaria.”

“I have an idea who it is, but I don’t think you’ll like it at all,” said Antigones.

“Is it a gut feeling?” Titania asked.

Antigones chuckled. “I think it’ll be your brother.”

The princess made a face. “No way. They wouldn’t send him—”

On that cue, the tent flap opened and in strode what looked like a male troll with a mane of dark red hair. He had a troll’s tail and pointed ears. However, the general and princess could see that he had the six fingers of an ogre when waved his hand.

“Hey, sis.” Immediately after, Timur straightened and saluted. “General, I’ve been sent to help you negotiate the situation.”

Titania didn’t bother to hide her wide-mouthed shock or the following scowl of disgust.

She did however reach into her coin purse and slide a gold coin over to her husband. A bet's a bet after all.

“Prince Timur, it’s been a while. It’s good to see you,” said Antigones.

Titania blinked, glancing between her husband and little brother. “You’ve met?”

“Sometime after Vertingen. We kept a correspondence. I told you, dear,” said Antigones.

“Oh yeah I just did my best to forget,” growled Titania.

Timur’s smile faded as he took a seat across the couple. “Look sis I know what you think of me but dad sent me and I think I can work something out.”

“Really. We are about to be surrounded, one of our generals committed a pretty heinous act against civilians. And we got a seventeen-year-old negotiating with some rather understandably angry humans. How are you going to get us out, bro?” Titania hissed.

Antigones frowned, “Titania, please. At least hear your brother out.”

“Well, the thing is you have enough troops to resist an attack, maybe even beat them in the field, right?” Timur asked.

The general nodded. “You’re suggesting we negotiate a withdrawal premised on both sides saving lives. I think that’s a start, but what if the Erlenbergians aren’t satisfied?”

“I’m authorized to recompense Erlenberg with the royal treasury, at least to a degree. That should placate them. Besides, we know their bottom line,” said Timur.

Titania frowned. “We do?”

Timur nodded. “Being put at siege has probably significantly damaged Erlenberg’s own treasury and infrastructure. They want us gone and the sooner the better. If we decide to stay and fight our way out, we’d be hurt, but I bet you could make them pay with blood.”

Antigones stroked his beard, whilst Titania crossed her arms and scowled. Her brother… wasn’t wrong he raised a good point. The Erlenbergians were so desperate to lift the siege, they might just allow the Alavari army to leave.

Her husband leaned onto the table. “Perhaps, but the problem is that their war mages are decidedly more powerful than ours. They don’t have the Firehand, but they have a core of young war mages that have made our assaults very difficult. The newest and most powerful of them being Frances Windwhistler. The troops are beginning to call her “Stormcaller,” though, some call her “Stormbringer” and “Thunderflash.”

To Titania’s interest, her brother’s eyes widened at France’s name and his mouth opened as if to ask a question. He quickly composed himself, but she was sure her husband also noticed.

“You’re familiar with Frances, Prince Timur?” Antigones asked.

Titania narrowed her eyes at her brother, who averted his eyes and wrapped his hands behind his back. She knew that pose. It was his “I know more than I am about to tell” pose. There was also something about how he tensed that made her mind whirring with thought.

“Yes, sir. We’ve met.”

“I’m surprised you survived the encounter, brother. I found her a formidable opponent. She’s escaped my clutches twice now,” said Titania, steepling her fingers.

As if on cue, Titania noticed her brother’s eyes widen at her and a flash of anger spread across his features, before returning to his cool expression.

“Indeed, sister.” Timur coughed and opened a notebook he’d brought with him. “There are a few more things to go over. I assume you’ve booked the next meeting?”

Antigones and Titania nodded. Timur glanced up at them. “Did you agree to meet them in person?”

“Of course not. That’s your job, bro,” said Titania.

“While your attendance isn’t required, and probably not encouraged given how you nearly killed Commander Alexander, General Antigones’s will be required. Humans put great stock in face-to-face meetings.”

“Understood. I can work with that. What about the matter of General Helias’s massacre of civilians?” Antigones asked.

Timur stopped writing. “Massacre?”

“He butchered three hundred civilians in front of Erlenberg’s walls. Were you not informed about this?” Antigones asked, an incredulous look breaking his normally contemplative features.

The prince stared at the general, mouth agape. “My father only informed me his army only killed some civilians, not three hundred! He must have lied to him.”

Titania rolled her eyes. “Oh come on, dad knew, Timur. He specifically issued orders to cover Helias’s ass if he did anything out of line.”

“Helias could have just misinterpreted his orders—”

The princess slammed her hand on the table and stood up. “You naive moron! Why do you think our father is so goddamn perfect!”

“He’s a just ruler and he has to be good if he continues to support you as his heir!” Timur retorted, rising to his feet.

Titania blinked, her mouth dropping open. “Excuse me?” she stammered.

“You never come to court, you insult him like this, and yet he sings praises of you to all the nobles and commissions bards and playwrights to celebrate your achievements. Just before I left, he commissioned another play of your attempted assassination of Alexander and Elowise!” Timur pointed at his sister. “He sends you gifts, which you send back, he invites you to all the major festivals and events as the guest of honour, which you refuse. He treats you the same as dear Teutobal when you’re not even half as good as he was!”

“Don’t you dare bring his name up! He’d be rolling in his grave if he knew what our father was up to!” Titania shrieked.

“Oh, and what is he up to!” Timur demanded.

“He’s—”

Antigones’s hand clamped down on her shoulder, and another tugged her back into her seat. Titania blinked away her tears, her hands trembling. She wanted to lunge and slap her brother’s stupid face.

“Prince Timur, I understand your perspective, but let me say that I have my own… reservations about your father’s rule myself.”

“You… you do sir?” Timur stammered, anger evaporating at Antigones’s cool declaration.

“I do, and I encourage you to think a little more for yourself in the future, instead of listening just to what your father tells you.”

Timur frowned. “I’ve heard that a lot.” Sitting back down, the prince took a deep breath. “Alright, let’s continue.”

“He’s such a moron!”

Antigones sipped at his glass of wine, even as Titania downed hers. He quickly refilled it but pressed down on the top before his wife could lift it.

“Slowly dear,” he said, before removing her hand.

“Fine,” said Titania, lifting the cup and sipping it. “He’s still a moron. How did you not want to sock him in the face? Especially after what we know now?”

“You don’t talk to your brother at all, Titania so you don’t know this, but he doesn’t have many friends and he’s stuck deep in Thorgoth’s court My assistant Olgakaren is close to him, but she has been on campaign with me for some time. I exchange letters with him, but most of the time, though, your brother’s lonely, sent off on missions and postings that keep him under the blanket of Thorgoth’s propaganda.” Antigones swirled the wine in his cup. “It’s exhausting feigning ignorance, dear, but how can I blame him for being ignorant when he’s been kept ignorant?”

Titania grumbled but averted her gaze. “I suppose my attitude doesn’t help things either. Can’t understand why he’s jealous of me. Yeah sure he doesn't know about what dad did to me, but dad treats him freaking great. He gets easy missions, lots of time home, and a damn big allowance to boot.”

“And no responsibility or authority, dear. Nothing that suggests that your father sees him as capable,” said Antigones.

Titania grimaced. “Damnit. And of course, I can’t tell him, he wouldn’t believe it from me anyway.” She sighed. “Do you think Teutobal knew about dad?”

“I think your oldest brother might have. Teutobal was smart, wise, surprisingly compassionate, but a pragmatist as well. It’s a tragedy he died so young,” said Antigones, squeezing his love’s arm.

Looking up at her husband, Titania smiled. “Thanks, dear.”

Erlenberg…

First thing in the morning the next day, a heavily armed delegation from the reinforcing Erisdalian troops arrived at the city.

Not many of the residents had returned to their homes, but the cheers that greeted them as they trotted their way through the city streets was deafening.

Frances and her friends, decked out in their full armour, their blue and white lightning banner waving high in the sky, met the delegation to escort them to the city centre. To all of the teens’ embarrassment yet also to their pride, it seemed the crowd were cheering them as much as the new arrivals.

The delegation was led by a female knight with blonde hair, blue eyes and the olive-toned skin of the Dale folk. She was strikingly handsome, especially with her burnished half-plate over her buff coat. She drew up short before the Lightning Battalion and saluted.

Elizabeth, at the head of their group, returned it and extended a hand. “Welcome to Erlenberg.”

“We’re glad to be here!” boomed the woman. She leapt off her horse, along with the other knights. “So you’re Elizabeth! My moms told me all about you. First things first, though.” Mara’s eyes found Martin and she grinned. “Brother, get over here.”

Martin, tears in his eyes embraced his sister. “Mara, it’s… it’s been too long.”

“Two long years. Come on, I’ll walk with you,” said Mara. She waved for her escort to follow as Elizabeth snapped out orders. “Introduce me to your friends, I’ve heard a lot about them.”

“Gladly, you met Elizabeth Hae-won Kim, Otherworlder and our commander. I bet you are going to have a lot of fun discussing tactics.”

“I know I will! I heard about your plan for General Helias. Amazing work,” said Mara, grinning at Elizabeth, who scratched the back of her head, smiling sheepishly.

Martin gestured to Frances. “This is Frances, you may know her now as the Stormcaller.”

Frances blushed. If she was honest with herself, she liked her mage epithet, but it was still weird to her to have a nickname that she never came up with. This was especially since the name was bestowed on her because people and Alavari were in fear or awe of her.

“Milady. It’s an honour to meet you,” said Mara, dipping her head.

“Likewise,” said Frances, smiling, and returning the bow.

“This is Ayax Windwhistler, Frances’s cousin and an amazing mage herself.”

“I’m also Elizabeth’s girlfriend so hands off,” said Ayax, her features neutral.

“Duly noted.” Mara turned to face Ginger. “And you are?”

The convict was quiet, her face hesitant as she met Mara’s eyes. She tried to meet the knight’s gaze, and yet couldn’t quite manage to face her head on.

“I’m Ginger, um, I’m your brother’s girlfriend.” She glanced at Martin, who nodded, smiling.

“Oh? Martin, why didn’t you tell me earlier?” Mara asked.

Ginger winced. “Because I told him not to. I’m a convict, miss.”

And just like that, the knight’s smile vanished, her eyes wide. Behind and beside Ginger, Frances, Elizabeth and Ayax stepped in closer to their friend, watching the knight.

This did not go above Mara’s notice who momentarily took in this panorama before she glanced at her brother.

“Martin, I’m glad for you. Truly, and as long as she is treating you well, I have no qualms with this, but we do need to talk.”

Breathing out a sigh of relief, Martin managed a small smile. “Thank you, sister. I was worried you would react poorly.”

His smile faded as he realized Mara, while not scowling at Ginger, was scowling. There was also another thing in his sister’s eyes. They were averted for some reason.

“Honestly, you were right to be. I well… Look, I wasn’t always so tolerant and there have been developments in Erisdale that I don’t want to spoil this celebration with. Let’s say we need to talk. You, me, and Ginger.”

“Me?” Ginger squawked.

“Mm-hmm, but not right now. This is our moment,” said Mara, smiling.

None of the teenagers liked what that could mean, but they smiled and waved at the crowd.

In an expected contrast to the arrival of the Erisdalian delegation, the arrival of the envoys was done with as much secrecy as possible.

Most of this was to avoid a hotheaded civilian or a wrathful soldier from trying to kill them.

This was why the Lightning Battalion and Lu-Anne’s battalion was also being employed in meeting the Alavari envoys at the dead of night by the city’s western gate.

Frances was most taken aback by General Antigones. At the head of his delegation, he was resplendent in his forest green military jacket with gold tassels. He looked even better astride of his boar mount, one hand stroking his beard, the other guiding the reins.

He’d brought his mount to a halt just in front of the gatehouse, watching coolly as the Lightning Battalion and Lu-Anne’s 7th took up escorting positions around him and his mounted escort.

Frances immediately spied Titania riding on a second boar to her husband’s right. She was unmistakable with her crown. Even without her crown, she’d drawn everybody’s eyes from attire, a maroon military jacket with a long tail that mimicked a dress. A pistol, her crooked wand and sword rested against her white trousers.

“Why hello there, Frances. How are you enjoying your nickname, Stormcaller?” she sneered.

The tone that the princess struck put Frances immediately on guard. It reminded her of her bullies.

“I’m well, Your Highness,” she said.

Titania’s smile could have shredded steel. “Don’t you find it odd, though? You don’t call storms. You just fry Alavari to a crisp. You don’t even kill them half the time, just leave them in agonizing pain.”

Ayax and Elizabeth nudged Frances, their warm touch taking the edge off of Titania’s barb. Meanwhile, Martin and Ginger glared straight back at the princess, along with pretty much every Erlenbergian soldier present.

“Dear, behave please,” said Antigones, a little tiredly, as someone behind the princess groaned. Then to Frances’s shock, Timur Greyhammer cantered his horse around his sister’s boar, shaking his head.

“Hey, Frances. I apologize in my sister’s stead. She’s a bit of a bitch.”

Frances clamped her hand over her mouth. She tried, she honestly did, but the surprise of seeing her crush, and his opening line was too much.

A giggle escaped and that prompted Elizabeth to snort, which made Ayax, who laughed, even as she tried to stay stoic. That all prompted Frances to burst into a fit of giggling, all while everybody else stood, torn between slack-jawed horror or mirthful fits.

Titania looked absolutely livid, while Antigones just pinched the bridge of his nose. Timur sheepishly glanced at the general, who just waved him off.

“Hi, Timur, sorry, Your Highness. We’ll take you to your quarters.”

“Quickly please,” growled Titania.

Frances nodded, and after a momentary glance at Timur, who grinned mirthfully, she went to take her position at the column’s head as Elizabeth ordered the battalion to march. As she did, she tried to bite down the feeling that was bubbling up in her stomach.

Timur was here, and they could talk. What they would talk about? What could they do? Those questions nattered away in her mind, soothed by the comforting fact that for whatever reason, he was here and that was enough.

To Frances’s delight, she and her friends were invited to attend the negotiations. It was, however, pretty much only to her and Martin’s delight.

Timur, Antigones, Titania, the Erlenberg Council and the Erisdalian delegation had a lot of terms to go over and discuss. Ginger got very bored only after the first hour and left to get what she said “was long overdue rest.” Ayax and Elizabeth held on for longer but exited the Council Chambers together to visit the harbourfront.

From what Frances understood, both sides desired similar outcomes. The Alavari and Erlenbergians wanted the Alavari to lift the siege and withdraw their troops.

What was uncertain was how much the Alavari were going to give up to do so.

The Alavari, and particularly Titania, wanted not to pay anything at all. Their reasoning was that they hadn’t been defeated, they still had an army, and they could put up a good fight. As for Timur and Antigones, Frances got the distinct sense that Timur was trying to find the best deal for his fellows and Antigones was content to let him do the talking.

The Erlenbergians wanted the Alavari to pay. Her grandmother Eleanor led the negotiations here, and used the fact that the Alavari had damaged Erlenberg and the fact that the Alavari would probably lose in a fight in hostile territory.

What came up most of all, however, was what Helias had done.

“The general committed a crime against all the traditions of war. He should be handed over to us at minimum for ordering the massacre!” Eleanor growled.

“We understand that, but while we are happy to offer monetary compensation, we cannot hand over Helias,” said Timur.

Frances grimaced. She guessed that Timur probably had orders to ensure that Helias came with him. On the other hand, seeing the trogre keep the noticeably absent general safe in Alavari hands irked her. She could understand Timur trying to save as many of his soldiers as possible. She could understand him trying to reduce bloodshed. She did not like that he was protecting Helias.

The Windwhistler matriarch leaned forward. “Right, let me cut the bullshit, Prince Timur. We don’t care what you pay us in gold. We want him to pay and our soldiers are fully willing to bleed if it means making that bastard pay.”

Timur frowned. “Councilwoman, you can’t be serious. Think of your citizens and the people that will be killed if we continue to fight. I’m going so far as to offer the city significant financial compensation in exchange for Helias’s life.”

“I am thinking of them and they want him. If you want another opinion, well—” Eleanor turned to the audience seats. “Granddaughter, I am sorry to put you on the spot, but you have talked with the soldiers of your battalion and others. What’s the temperament of our city?”

Frances jumped, eyes wide. Standing up in her seat, she forced herself to breathe in, and out.

“Timur, it’s true. Erlenberg wants justice and closure, not money.”

The trogre’s shoulders sank slightly, but meeting Frances’s eyes, he nodded.

“I’ll have to discuss this with my sister and the general in private.” He turned back to Eleanor. “You do understand if we hand Helias over, you won’t be getting any financial compensation, correct?”

Eleanor glanced at Mara and the rest of the Erlenbergians, who all nodded. “We do, and I also hope you understand something, Prince Timur,” said Eleanor.

“Which is?” Timur asked, his tone congenial.

The Windwhistler matriarch did not respond in kind. Rather, her smile all but vanished.

“Helias’s actions have escalated the war, Your Highness. I’m not going to deny that the Human Kingdoms have committed atrocities. What he did however, was something no other Alavari general has ever done. You let him go free and without punishment, and you will court the death of hundreds of your civilians.”

Timur stared at Eleanor unblinking, his eyes wide. Frances noticed that somehow he didn’t flinch at her grandmother, which she thought was rather impressive. Antigones and Titania however had very different reactions. The general stroked his beard, thick brow furrowed ever so slightly.

Titania leaned forward, and hissed, “Are you threatening us, Madame Windwhistler?”

“I’m not threatening you. I’m stating a fact.” The matriarch’s voice was cold. There was no anger in it, but it was hard, her words landing like blows on a drum. “You let him go unpunished, you set a precedent. You challenge the tired, exhausted and frustrated human and Erlenbergian soldiers of this war to wonder, “Why should I bother?” You get us, the leaders, wondering why we should trust a country harboring a mass murderer keep their word.”

“Mass murderer? We are at war!” Titania retorted.

“And war has certain unwritten rules and traditions to keep it from descending into chaos,” said Timur, cutting in. He ignored his sister’s glare. “Still, while I understand your point, you are driving a hard bargain. So for the moment, I suggest we adjourn for the day to cool our heads, discuss today’s events, and fill our stomachs.” Timur smiled. “I know I’m starving.”

Without missing a beat, a shark-like grin that graced Eleanor’s features. “If you would follow us, Prince Timur, the Windwhistlers will be happy to host you.”

“You’re putting us in the same house as the Stormcaller?” Antigones asked, glancing at Frances with no small amount of apprehension. “I mean no disrespect madame Windwhistler, but while I don’t have a grudge against your granddaughter, given her history with my wife, is that truly so wise?”

Titania looked indignant but couldn’t help but nod. Eleanor’s grin however got more toothy.

“Oh, Frances? She’s harmless. However, I will say that staying with me means putting you in perhaps the safest place in Erlenberg because you somehow have somehow managed not to kill any of my family members. You tried damn hard, but you didn’t.”

To his credit, Antigones only dipped his head, his lips spreading in a sage smile. “You are magnanimous as well as absolutely terrifying, madame.”

Nobody noticed Timur and Frances’s eyes meeting, both smiling as discreetly as they could.

Well, nobody except for one trorc princess.

Frances swallowed her piece of meat pie, savouring the taste, and trying not to glance at the person seated beside her.

As it often did with her life, the universe was playing a rather cruel joke in putting Timur next to her. She badly wanted to ask him what had he been doing since the last time they met. Yet, with Titania glaring at everything and everyone across the table, aside from her husband for whom she occasionally loaded food onto his plate, the pair didn’t need to talk to each other to know that would be a terrible idea.

So instead, Frances and Timur were pretending to ignore the other, like they were apprehensive about the other.

Frances would have been worried that Timur was actually ignoring her, but once in a while, as she sneaked a glance at the trogre, she caught him making a side-long glance at her, setting her cheeks aflame and relieving the tension in her heart. If her friends had been here, they’d probably be giggling. As it was, Elizabeth and Ayax were on a date and Martin and Ginger were eating dinner with Mara.

Perhaps this was a blessing, though. She didn’t know why or how, and part of her groaned at her feelings, but somehow the prince seemed more handsome than the last time they’d met. It may have been the royal purple jacket and black waistcoat he wore. It could have been his immaculately groomed hair. Whatever it was, if Frances had any doubt that her feelings for the prince had subsided over the months, sitting next to him had taken that doubt into an alleyway and killed it with fire.

The girl could only guess as to what Timur was thinking.

Timur had a lot to think about. There was his frustrating sister, who seemed to be doing her level best to sabotage negotiations. There was the proposal by Eleanor that he wasn’t sure his father would accept. There were the priorities his father had laid out, first and foremost being the retrieval of Antigones’s army.

He had not said whether making sure Helias came back was necessary, and if Timur was being honest with himself, he didn’t want Helias to come back. The tauroll was a savage monster and as surprised as Timur was with what the general had done, he wasn’t surprised he’d done it.

Yet, still… Helias was one of his countrymen. He couldn’t just give him up to the enemy, even if there was no way he’d be punished in Alavaria.

Timur swallowed the foul feeling, even as he swallowed the piece of pie he was eating, which was delicious. There wasn’t an easy answer for this situation and he had no idea how he should feel about it, or what he should do.

There was, however, one nice thing about his entire negotiation. It was that Frances was there, and at the moment, she was sitting right next to him.

It wasn’t that the Alavari prince thought about Frances every day. It was more like once in a week… for the last year, oh and every odd night. He knew why. Despite how they never met in the best of situations, he liked the Otherworlder human girl. Honestly, he didn’t think anybody could dislike her.

He had been worried that what he felt… whatever he felt for Frances was unnatural or strange, but every time he returned back to his life, it seemed like his days just pummeled into him why it would be nice to have her around.

For despite being a prince, nobody in Alavaria really, or bothered to listen to Timur without contradicting, critiquing or just letting it pass through their ears without a response. If they did pay attention it was because of him being a prince.

She’d met him when he’d been exiled and never treated him like anybody other than Timur, and when they got the chance, she’d always listened to him, and given him the time to express his thoughts.

Timur glanced at Frances, noticing that her hair was a little longer than he’d remembered. It was still cut short, but now it at least brushed the top of her shoulders. She also looked less thin than the last time they’d met at Conthwaite. The addition of lean muscle had thickened her frame and made her cream-colored dress fit better on her, though, that may be due to her growing an inch or two.

Despite meeting her eye several times as they’d glanced at one another, the prince couldn’t quite pin what had changed about Frances. Part of him wondered if her absence had simply painted a rosier image in his head. He had to admit, he liked that she remembered him and clearly was looking forward to talking to him in private. He certainly was too, but they had to survive dinner.

Thankfully, the dinner was winding down at this point. As they finished desert, a lovely sweet tart with fresh fruit, Frances raised her voice.

“General Antigones, Princess Titania, having unpacked your things, is there anything you need to make your rooms more comfortable?” she asked.

And just like that, it hit Timur. He hadn’t missed the impassive way Antigones had treated Frances, and he’d spent all day formulating ideas for how he could make sure Titania would have as little contact with the Otherworlder as possible. Yet, she was addressing them with a clear voice and a polite smile.

A while ago, those eyes might have been fearful, or at least apprehensive. Now, the Alavari prince saw a new confidence in those amber eyes. He very much liked this.

“It would be appreciated if you could arrange for a fluffier blanket, Miss Windwhistler,” said Antigones in a formal tone.

Without batting an eyelid, Frances nodded. “That can be arranged. And is there anything I can do for you, princess?”

“I don’t need anything for the room, but I would like you to answer a question, Stormcaller.” Titania leaned on her elbow, swirling her glass. A smirk was spreading across her lips and Timur suddenly felt alarm bells ring in his head. “Why are you and my brother exchanging furtive glances like recently reunited lovers?”

Timur’s thoughts came to a screeching halt and from how quickly Frances flushing red, she wasn’t doing any better.

Oh fuck.