The Order of the Seraphs - Front Gate - Xander:

  ey, Xander, I know we already said things have changed since you’ve been missing. This is the Order of the Seraphs, not Dela Mar,” Tito said.

  Xander nodded as the group approached the kingdom. Towering walls of red and black steel stretched for miles, so high they blocked the main castle from view.

  “That’s Tito!” A guard shouted from the tower. “Drop the bridge!”

  The massive drawbridge groaned as it lowered. Its chains rattled just as loudly.

  The group crossed and entered the courtyard.

  To their left, sprawling stables teemed with horses. The air was thick with the scent of hay and leather. To their right, vast stretches of farmland unfurled, a patchwork of crops and grazing cattle.

  Near the far end, the bustling residential district came into view. Houses, markets, and city structures intermingled. Xander’s eyes darted from sight to sight. So, this is the Order of the Seraphs, huh?

  The stablemaster walked over to their group.

  “Milord, milady... Good sir. I’ll take the horses,” he said with a nod.

  Tito nodded back. After they all dismounted, he gestured toward a path. “This way to the General District.”

  They walked in silence, their footsteps echoing on the cobblestone.

  The group left the courtyard. As they approached the General District, Xander’s eyes widened. “More walls?” he asked, turning to Tito.

  Tito nodded, his expression serious. “Yes, most kingdoms and orders have borders around their districts where the king and queen reside.”

  “Why?” Xander’s brow furrowed.

  “Since the third great war, kingdoms wanted extra protection in case war breaks out and the DOLL orbs fail,” Tito said.

  Xander’s face contorted with confusion. “DOLL made what? What’s a DOLL orb?”

  Liz chimed in. “Xander, DOLL has created orbs that generate dome barriers to protect kingdoms and orders from magical or sigil-based attacks.”

  “We have five orbs that were needed to cover the entire Order.” Tito quickly added.

  Xander’s eyes lit up with curiosity. “Five orbs, huh?”

  As they reached the General District, the gate guards, recognizing Tito’s presence, opened the gate instantly.

  “Tito!” a man yelled. Tito turned to see Balsmith rushing towards them on the road leading to the Queen’s District. His stocky build and bald head made him easily recognizable even from a distance.

  The two greeted each other with a handshake, bowing their heads in mutual respect. “Balsmith,” Tito said, “did you take Jan back to Blaystone from Haylan?”

  “No… Jan refused the escort.”

  “Oh... That’s interesting.” Tito said with a raised brow. “Hopefully the kid stays out of trouble.”

  He released Tito’s hand and turned to Liz. “My lady,” he said, bowing his head.

  Is that a letter in his hand? Why is it crumpled? “Glad you’re doing well, Balsmith,” Liz replied, her eyes darting between him and the mysterious letter.

  Balsmith’s gaze shifted back to Tito, then to the man behind him who towered over the others. His eyes widened. “Xander?”

  Xander stepped around Tito, his face lighting up. “I am glad you recovered, Balsmith. I didn’t like lea—” His eyes dropped.

  Balsmith extended his hand. Xander grasped it with a firm grip. They held each other’s gaze for a long moment.

  That note has me worried... Whatever that note is, it will pertain to Xander. Liz continued to glance between Xander and Balsmith as they stared at one another.

  “I didn’t think I would ever meet you. Fifty years ago, when I was in Tito’s platoon in the Dela Mar branch that would become the Order of the Seraphs, I was just a soldier trying to make rank. You disappeared before I could make a name for myself. Tito gave me a chance.” Balsmith looked at Tito with admiration, and Tito returned a warm smile.

  “When we met in the woods, when I was down, you stepped in with no regard for your life, no payment expected in return. I knew in my heart you were telling the truth. Your actions, Xander, are spread through books and stories. There are no words to express what an honor it is to meet you now, under better circumstances.”

  “No, the honor is mine,” Xander said. He tilted his head, noticing the paper in Balsmith’s hand. “What’s that? Looks like a letter.”

  Balsmith glanced at the parchment. He turned to Tito. “Here, this is from the queen herself.” He offered the letter to Tito.

  Tito slowly accepted and opened it. Liz looked over, her eyes widening as she read along.

  Tito looked at Xander, his expression grave.

  “What is it, Tito?” Xander asked.

  “The queen wants you cuffed with dampener cuffs,” Tito explained. “They nullify your sigil powers and magic. You’ll be considered essentially human. The only thing these cuffs don’t nullify is the agelessness that sigils provide. This is new technology, created by DOLL about fifteen years ago.”

  Xander’s face remained blank. The muscles in his jaw tightened.

  “Balsmith, where are the cuffs?” Tito asked.

  “Just through the door in the main keep. The gate guards will have them. Hopefully, they’ll fit him,” Balsmith replied.

  Tito nodded. Liz bumped Tito and pointed at a specific paragraph in the letter, her finger trembling slightly. She and Tito exchanged a look.

  “What’s the matter?” Xander inquired, noticing their silent exchange.

  “Nothing, let’s continue,” Tito said, starting to walk. Liz, Balsmith, and Xander fell into step behind him.

  As the group approached the Queen’s District, giant houses and command towers scattered throughout, each manned by guards—two in the tower and two on each side.

  Fresh, clean air from CARL orbs that purify water and atmosphere filled their lungs. Black titanium glittered with red streaks along the walls. Marble and concrete blended perfectly beneath their feet. Distant sounds of guards’ boots echoed off polished floors.

  When they reached the entrance, the Queen’s elite guards stood at attention. “Lord Tito, you’re here just in time,” one said before glancing up at Xander. “We have instructions to cuff the guest.”

  Xander glanced over to Liz and Tito. Liz’s eyes darted nervously between everyone in the room.

  “Umm… Umm, actually, Tito, here are the cuffs,” a guard said, handing them over.

  Tito carefully secured the cuffs around Xander’s wrists. The purple metal gleamed with an otherworldly sheen, barely fitting on the last notch.

  “Okay... You ready to meet the queen, Xander?” Tito asked.

  “Sure. Not sure why I need to be cuffed, though.”

  Xander and the group started down a long hall lined with doors. At the end stood a massive titanium door, flanked by staircases that wrapped around, leading to the second floor.

  As they reached the titanium door to the throne room, Xander clenched his fists. Tito glanced at Liz before pushing the door open.

  Tito entered first, followed by Liz. Xander entered last. Tito approached the throne and handed the queen a folded letter. She quickly scanned it, her expression darkening. Tito stepped back and took his position with the other generals.

  Eight people stood on the right side and nine on the left. Four giant pillars made of black concrete with red streaks stood in perfect symmetry. Five steps spanned the room’s width, leading to the throne. The floor was a mix of red and black marble and granite. Unlit torches lined the walls. Large windows on the left wall displayed dragon designs. The walls were made of black concrete with red trim along the top.

  Tito and Liz moved to the front of the rows on either side. Balsmith took his place at the back of the right-hand row.

  Xander quickly glanced to his right. Mithaos, Septon, Kozak, Teresa. I know them.

  His gaze shifted to the left. I don’t know any of them.

  His focus quickly shifted to the queen. She was tall and lean, with defined muscles.

  The queen’s copper-red eyes were framed by perfectly arched brows. Full lips complemented her fair skin.

  Her brown hair fell in slight waves past her shoulders. A single streak of dark red ran through.

  Atop her head sat a black crown with red trim, made of gold and red titanium with a red gem in the middle.

  The queen sat cross-legged on her throne—gold with streaks of burning red. Two black gems were engraved on each arm. She wore a black robe with red trim along the edges. Gold threading traced intricate patterns across the sleeves. Black silk slippers peeked out from beneath her robe.

  The room was filled with murmurs. The queen’s eyes never left Xander from the moment he had stepped in.

  Xander approached the first step, but the queen raised her hand, halting his advance. They stared at each other.

  Xander nodded, his voice low. “Your Grace.”

  The queen took a deep breath. “You’ve caused a lot of trouble here in just two moons.”

  Xander lifted his head as he met the queen’s copper eyes.

  “When I read Balsmith’s report, I didn’t want it to be true. Fifty years is a long time to be gone... Where have you been?”

  “Your Grace, I don’t know. I’m sure the report says that,” Xander stated flatly.

  The queen’s eyebrows rose. “Well, it looks like you cleaned up before you came here. Also, it seems you were well fed... I’ll ask again, where were you?”

  Xander stared at the queen for moments. “Look, I don’t know you. I already told you and Balsmith. I don’t... Know.”

  “You will speak to the queen with respect!” one of the generals interjected.

  Xander turned his death stare on the general, who met his gaze unflinchingly.

  The queen looked over at Naru. “That’s enough, Naru!” she said loudly.

  She focused back to Xander. “You seem to have forgotten our customs. Xander, I read the report, but I want to hear it from you. Do you remember the war?”

  Xander stood silent, his piercing gaze fixed on the queen. “No.”

  “You and Rose left the Dela Mar Kingdom fifty years ago on the mid-winter on the twenty-eighth moon to fig—”

  Fuck! Xander clutched his ears, stumbling to keep his composure. “AHHH… Someone turn that mandolin off!” He dropped to one knee, his eyes rolling back.

  ◆◆◆

  CHARGE! Blue and silver banners whipped in the wind, the emblem of a white dragon emblazoned onto them. There was an intense flash of light in the sky.

  “Xander, we need to kill him tonight,” Rose said as she walked down the hall.

  ◆◆◆

  What the fuck was that? It felt so... Real.

  His muscles twitched visibly as he struggled to stand up.

  The queen’s eyes flickered left and right, then back to Xander. There is no mandolin. This isn’t normal. She leaned forward, turning to Tito. “Is this normal?”

  “I am not sure,” Tito stated as the rest of the generals looked on.

  The veins on Xander’s face became visible. “I have been honest with all of you about what I know,” his voice grew louder as he finally rose to his feet and began pacing back and forth.

  The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.

  “I have questions of my own!” he said, his voice rising further. “Where are Chase, River, Markenzie, and Ambrose?!” He spun around toward the queen, gesturing to the left. “Who the hell are those other eight people? What happened to my men? What happened after the war?”

  Xander strode back to the first step, his eyes deadlocked with hers as his brows angled downward. “And why the fuck am I in cuffs?! Am I not some champion for this country?! This is how you treat champions?!”

  The queen’s lips curled into a smile. “Your men?” She gripped the gold round handles of her throne. Her eyes closed briefly, inhaling deeply. “You’re in cuffs because Braxton wants you for war crimes. My father told Wally that those war crimes were dismissible because you never started the war. But Wally didn’t care. When the Kingdom of Braxton was created on his lands, he made you wanted for war crimes.”

  Who's Wally? Who's her father? I am in cuffs for people I don't know... This is horse shit. Xander lifted both arms together, the cuffs forcing his wrists to move in unison as he scratched his head.

  She leaned backwards, her copper-red eyes gazing at Xander. “I read Tito’s report about you killing Jax, Sinjin’s nephew. That was shocking—and reckless. I’ll have to clean up that mess as well in the coming moons when the leaders have their gathering.”

  Xander began to mutter softly as he paced back and forth again.

  The queen looked at her generals. “Everyone out!”

  The generals began to mutter. “I said everyone out!”

  All of the generals slowly departed, and the door closed. The queen stood up and descended until she was eye level with Xander. The two stared into each other’s eyes.

  “I don’t even know your name?” Xander said.

  The queen chuckled. “My name is Razlin Mar. You should know my name, Xander,” Razlin’s voice cracked.

  “You! You left me, Xander! After... After we made love. You left me. All alone. You stared into my eyes.” Razlin pointed at her own eyes. “You vowed to me that we would go to war together the next moon! But no, you had to go with your sister. We all presumed you dead like Rose.”

  “We searched for years for you.” Her voice grew raw. “Then fifty years later, you just reappear. You expect to return like nothing happened, as if there are no consequences for your actions?”

  “Raz—”

  “YOU lied to me!” she shouted, her voice echoing in the throne room. “You promised me, as my husband, you would not leave! What you and Rose did... It was suicide. It cost Rose her life and cost us fifty years. It cost me my husband!” Razlin turned away, tears streaming down her face.

  Xander stared at Razlin in disbelief. “Husband?” he echoed. Nothing makes sense... Wait, Sonya said something about leaving someone. The Queen?

  Razlin wiped her tears from her face. She then turned back around to face Xander.

  “Yes, it’s public knowledge, Xander. Everyone who lived on from that time knows. It’s in all of the books and stories.”

  Xander looked away, towards the ground as he clutched his hands. Why didn’t anyone say anything to me?

  He looked back at Razlin. “This is horse shit! Why did everyone hide this from me?!”

  Razlin’s face hardened. “I don’t know, and it doesn’t matter. We are no longer married. I have no attachment to you anymore. I remarried five years after you were pronounced dead.”

  “Who... Who did you marry?” Xander stuttered, scratching his head.

  “A noble who passed away a few years back,” Razlin replied.

  A few moments passed as Xander and Razlin stared at one another.

  “Xander, at this time, you’re a subject on the land of the Order of the Seraphs. You will listen and follow my orders,” Razlin said. “Do you understand?”

  “Listen to your orders? I am fucking cuffed! I get the message, but you’re not my queen,” his voice echoed through the chamber.

  Razlin’s eyes flashed, a mix of red and yellow replacing their usual copper. “You bastard, watch how you speak to me!” She took a step back, her eyes slowly returning to their copper hue.

  “I think we’re done here. You’re no longer the man I knew or want.” She turned around and started walking up the stairs.

  “Hey! Don’t turn your back on me when we are talking. You never answered my questions,” Xander persisted.

  Razlin turned around, fixing Xander with a death stare. “Tito!” she yelled. The doors opened, and Tito entered. “Take him to his cell.”

  “My cell? This is horse shit! I’m not going to a cell!” Xander exclaimed.

  Razlin reached her throne, turning to sit with deliberate slowness.

  Tito approached, whispering. “Xander, please. Everything will be fine.”

  Xander’s eyes darted between Tito and Razlin. “This was the plan, wasn’t it, Tito? This is what Liz was pointing at in the letter. Why am I being conspired against?”

  Razlin waved for the doors to be closed. “You just don’t get it. You are wanted—”

  “What are the war crimes I committed? That my own people would agree with you on this?” Xander gestured wildly.

  “You killed Wally’s son!” Razlin shouted as her voice cracked, shooting to her feet.

  The room fell silent. Xander looked around wildly. “Wally? Who the fuck is Wally? And who’s his son?”

  Razlin slumped back onto her throne. “This is hopeless. You’re a shell of yourself at this time.” She held her head with her left hand. “Take him away, Tito.”

  “Yes, my queen,” Tito replied solemnly.

  “Xander’s eyes narrowed on Tito. ‘Don’t touch me, Tito.”

  “Xander, you can’t beat me in your current state.”

  “We’ll have to find out. That cheap shot at Guss house won’t happen again.”

  The metal of the dampener cuffs groaned as Xander flexed his wrists. The cuffs snapped and burst, clattering to the granite floor.

  “No!” Razlin’s voice thundered through the chamber. “This will not happen here. Tito! Xander!”

  “Stay out of this, Razlin,” Xander yelled.

  “You will address her as Queen, Xander,” Tito said sharply.

  Xander began to power up, his arm augmenting as it burst into flames. In response, Tito began to generate lightning, the air crackling around him.

  “Generals, get in here now!” Razlin shouted. The doors burst open as the generals rushed in, witnessing the impending battle.

  “Xander, please calm down,” Liz pleaded, her voice strained.

  Xander’s eyes flicked back to Liz. “You were in on this betrayal as well?”

  Tito’s voice was steady, a reminder of the odds. “Xander, you can’t win against all of us.”

  He paused, his eyes flickering between Razlin and Tito. He looked at the ground. They all betrayed me. They were my friends, my comrades. His fist clenched, and his arm returned to normal. “I will go to the cell,” he said, voice hollow.

  Tito stopped generating lightning.

  Razlin leaned back on her throne. “Okay,” she sighed.

  He walked toward Tito.

  “Xander, just so you know, your men still respect you very much,” Razlin said.

  Xander looked at the queen with disgust.

  “Come on, let’s go,” Tito said, gesturing for Xander to follow him through the keep’s doors.

  Tito and Xander continued down the hallway. “Hey, where are you taking me? We passed the dungeon.”

  “I’m taking you to the nicest room we have,” Tito replied. “You just need to stay put and not cause a scene.” They stopped at a tower in the keep. It had stairs that wrapped around, leading to a room above.

  Tito started climbing the stairs. Xander followed. They reached the top and walked down a small hallway before stopping at a door. Tito opened it.

  Xander’s eyes widened in surprise. This isn’t a prison room.

  The bed was large, with a frame made of black wood. It had slats across the base. The mattress case was silk, filled with wool and straw, and the pillow matched. The tile floor was white granite. The room had a small round table and two chairs made of black wood. Candles in holders were scattered throughout the room. Two brown-framed windows sat on the walls, one on either side.

  It had a bathroom with an ornate silver tub, and a chamber pot that matched. A small brown window could be opened and removed for ventilation.

  “Look, Xander... I hope this isn’t permanent. I, umm... I’m sorry about the cheap shot at Guss house,” Tito said.

  Xander walked toward the window on the left. This view... It's beautiful. “I feel betrayed, Tito.”

  Tito hesitated for a moment, his hand held on the doorknob. “Xander, I—” he began, but then shook his head and left the room. The sound of the lock clicking into place echoed in the hallway.

  Trapped like a rat... Nothing makes sense. Me, missing for fifty years. No one knows where I have been. Not even me. I am this legend, this hero? He scratched his long sandy blonde hair. “Well, better find the stick lighter for later. I’ll be here a while, it seems.”

  Tito walked back to the throne room. As he entered, he noticed Razlin sitting on her throne, gazing up at the ceiling.

  Her eyes flicked back to Tito before returning to the ceiling. “Tito, I helped build this ceiling. It almost came down today.” She sighed. “I hope this meeting goes well. We leave tomorrow at first light.” He left the room, gently closing the door behind him.

  Tito nodded. “I will ready the horses and ensure the provisions are packed. It’s a moon and a half ride.”

  “Okay,” she said softly as she continued to gaze at the high roof. Xander is here in the flesh. Fifty years, and we still have no explanation of where he’s been. The man I once loved. Maybe... I will always love him.

  ◆◆◆

  Damianos - Damianos Keep - Razlin:

  Approaching Damianos, ruined structures dotted the landscape. Houses sat long abandoned.

  Home. It gets worse every time I come to these meetings. Dela Mar. Razlin’s brown hair flowed in the wind as they rushed down the ruined path..

  “My queen, Dela Mar will always be home. We are almost at the meeting building,” Tito said.

  The imposing structure, crafted from black-dyed concrete, stood silent and foreboding. Four doors, one on each side, awaited the arrival of each faction. Its roof, covered in black sheetrock, seemed to absorb the very light around it.

  As they tied their horses to wooden posts, Razlin spoke. “We may be late. We could have just flashed here.”

  “My queen,” Tito replied with a small smile, “sometimes I do enjoy the simplicity of horseback.”

  “Of course you do. Let’s go.”

  Their footsteps echoed through empty halls with cracked marble floors as they passed untouched rooms that were trashed with broken furniture. Glass scattered everywhere, walls cracked and roofs caved in.

  Finally, they entered a chamber where six figures sat around a circular table made of shil stone. Flickering candles cast shadows that danced on the walls.

  “Now that we are all present, lets have this meeting.” A man with long black hair reaching his shoulders. He had blue-grey eyes—the left one having a long scar—and slim eyebrows.His face was clean-shaven, and his right ear was missing. His nose was prominent and hooked.“ Shall we sit?”

  “Yes, King Laso. Let’s sit,” Razlin said, her eyes sweeping the room, taking in each face with calculated interest.

  As the four leaders took their seats, Laso cleared his throat. “Since I was the first to arrive, I’ll speak first… I’m pleased to report that the fish harvest has been a success. Trade will be good this year. However, we have more pressing concerns at hand. A few dragons have been traveling over from Kelston.”

  “That’s pompous,” interjected a man of small height. His bald crown was surrounded by long black hair streaked with gray. A jutted, pointy nose and bushy eyebrows dominated his features. One of his eyes was noticeably larger than the other. His thin lips were set in a tight line. The man was dressed in a rich green and gold fabric made of silk.

  “King Wally, it’s true,” Razlin interjected, her voice firm. “One of my top-ranking generals spotted a dragon about five moons ago.”

  Wally grumbled, and his brow furrowed. “Well, I have no reports of these dragons. Continue, King Laso.”

  Laso cleared his throat. “That’s actually all I have. My concerns are slim this year.” He turned to his left. “Queen Alana, it’s your turn.”

  All eyes shifted to Queen Alana. She was tall and lean, with tan skin and pointed ears decorated with five earrings. Long silver hair cascaded down her back. Her eyes were a mesmerizing mix of blue and white, and a small scar sat beneath her thin lips. The elf wore leather and turquoise cloth in a short shift with short leather pants.

  “I have several concerns,” she began. “My domain lies near one of the few paths into this country. My scouts have reported sightings of dragons coming from Kelston.” Her eyes narrowed. “This leads me to believe that Husku may be scouting. The peace treaty is up for renegotiation soon.”

  King Wally’s face reddened. “Queen Alana, Husku isn’t scouting! He’s not allowed to set foot in this country until the peace treaty ends!”

  Alana’s gaze met Wally’s heated stare. “King Wally,” she replied. “The peace treaty is but a piece of paper honored by two countries. Husku has no honor.”

  “What else do you have, Queen Alana?” Wally asked.

  “My scouts from Ash report uprisings in a few cities. Nothing to be overly concerned about.” She paused, her demeanor shifting as she placed her arms on the table. She rested her chin on her interlaced fingers. “Queen Razlin, will you honor your part when the peace treaty expires?”

  Razlin met Alana’s gaze. After a moment of silence. “No.”

  “That is bullshit!” Wally roared. “You better marry him!”

  “I will not!” Razlin shouted back.

  Wally’s face reddened further. “You’ll cause the next great war. A war we’ll surely lose! He has more men than all four domains combined. You’re going to get us all killed!” He shook his head violently.

  Laso nodded grimly. “I agree with Wally. If you don’t marry him, he’ll wipe us out in less than a month. He has over seven million men at his disposal. We’d be lucky to muster seven hundred thousand.”

  Alana’s voice cut through. “Razlin, you must do what you must.”

  “I can’t believe this,” Wally snarled, his knuckles whitening as he gripped the table’s edge. “Let’s address the Yulk in the room. Your criminal husband suddenly reappears after fifty years, and he’s wanted for war crimes. Queen Razlin, you will hand him over to the Kingdom of Braxton.”

  Laso and Alana’s gazes darted between Wally and Razlin.

  Razlin closed her eyes, inhaled deeply, then met Wally’s glare. “King Wally, there are no war crimes. Your son, Celsius, committed treason against King Dela Mar’s crown. He sabotaged our war efforts, incited rebellion, and attempted to usurp the throne. Your son died a traitor, allied with Husku.”

  “Xander murdered my son!” Wally roared, veins pulsing in his neck as he slammed his fist down, rattling the cups on the table.

  “King Wa—” Alana’s attempt at intervention was cut short as Razlin surged to her feet, finger jabbing toward Wally.

  “You can’t put a war crime charge on someone who killed your son in a war. Like I said, he was a traitor to King Dela Mar!”

  Wally’s face darkened to a dangerous shade of crimson. “Listen, you half-wit.” He rose slowly like a predator. “Xander is wanted for war crimes, regardless of your excuses. We know he’s on your land. You will surrender him to Braxton.”

  Razlin sank back into her seat, her fingers interlacing as she fixed Wally with a gaze that could halt a flame. “Xander Blight is under my protection as long as he remains on my lands. Any attempt to remove him will be considered an act of war.” Her eyes swept the table, daring anyone to challenge her declaration.

  “Razlin, are you saying you will protect Xander Blight in your domain?” Laso asked, his voice tinged with disbelief.

  Wally’s face contorted with rage. “Hold on, King Laso. First, Queen Razlin refuses to marry Husku. Now she’s protecting a criminal? What treachery is this?”

  Razlin continued to stare at Wally.

  “Queen Razlin, I stand behind your... Unconventional decision,” Alana said with a calm voice.

  The leaders stared at one another.

  “This is lunacy!” Wally spat. “You elves would all die for the Mar house. Razlin, I’ll give you time to reconsider handing over your... Husband. You moved on rather quickly from him. Just like all sluts who spread—”

  “That’s enough, King Wally!” Tito's voice echoed through the chamber.

  Razlin raised her hand, silencing Tito.

  Wally leaned back in his chair, scoffing. “You better not speak to me like that again. I am a King, and you will respect me as one. I don’t care who you are.”

  Razlin’s voice was ice. “King Wally, I have been patient with your tone. Disrespect me again and there will be consequences. Do you understand, or does your general need to explain it to you?”

  Wally grinned at Razlin. “Oh no, I understand you perfectly.”

  “I think this meeting is over,” Laso stated.

  “No,” Razlin countered. “I have a concern that must be discussed. The Red Anchor Bandits are still not captured.”

  “The Red Anchor bandits have been raiding villages along our eastern border. They’re becoming bolder, and I fear they may have outside support.”

  Laso frowned. “These bandits could disrupt trade routes if left unchecked. Perhaps a joint effort is needed?”

  Wally’s cocky tone returned. “Red Anchor Bandits are nothing, Queen Razlin. Your concerns are distracting from the real issue—you’re protecting a criminal.”

  As the leaders exchanged intense stares, a messenger entered for Wally. The man whispered urgently in Wally’s ear.

  “Excuse me, I have to leave. Pressing matters in Braxton require my immediate attention,” Wally said, rising quickly. He cast one last glare at Razlin before striding out.

  As the door closed behind him, Alana and Laso exchanged worried glances.

  Razlin leaned back. “If there are no other matters to discuss, I believe we can conclude this meeting. Let us all consider carefully the challenges that lie ahead for our realms.”

  The leaders bowed their heads respectfully before slowly exiting the building.

  Razlin and Tito silently untied their horses and began the ride back to The Order of the Seraphs.

  If I don’t marry Husku, another great war will happen. I will not hand Xander over to that fat little scum. Is it really worth protecting a man I once knew…? Who used to be my husband? Fuck!