Maris rolled his eyes at his brothers. “Because of what Kyr did to Saf, the Phrixian emperor has already contacted and negotiated a treaty with the Andarion queen, and both the Exeterian and Triosan emperors. Once they get here, they will sign the treaties and become our allies in the war against The League.”

Hauk was still confused as he stared at Maris. “So they’re all talking to you again?”

Maris screwed his face up. “Kind of.”

“What’s kind of?”

Saf let out an irritable sigh as he cast an evil smirk at his brothers. “Kind of would be me. They’re telling me what to say to him, even though he’s standing right there in front of us. I agree, it’s so fucked up. But they did this to me all the time when we were kids and they’d get crossed up, so I’m kind of used to it. However, I am not their universal translator, and I’m really tired of them treating me like it’s my sole purpose in life.”

Yeah, that sounded about right. As the youngest of his brothers, Hauk had been there a few times himself. But he did have one more question. “Does this mean the Phrixians are also signing a treaty with the Caronese?”

“Sort of,” Maris said again. “It’s more of an informal agreement not to kill or attack the Caronese, and especially their emperor.”

Who was suspiciously missing from this meeting, Hauk realized, now that he looked around his gathered friends.

Saf rubbed nervously at his neck before he elaborated. “Our father is still upset at Darling, and Darling is still… shall we say, unforgiving of his treatment toward Maris. We’re all thinking for the sake of peace that we keep the two of them out of the same room for a while.”

Hauk couldn’t agree more. “Probably a good idea.”

Vadim slid a glare toward Maris. “But we are willing to fight with whomever we must to get your daughter back and see her kidnapper brought to justice for it. We’re already mobilizing our forces and will be heading to neutral ground in a few hours so that we may attack wherever you need us.”

Val nodded in agreement. “To hold a child to strike at the parents, and especially the mother, is the most shameful of all acts. We will not tolerate it or stand for it.”

Nykyrian inclined his head to them. “As the Andarion heir, I want you to know that your assistance in freeing our princess will not be forgotten and it will be returned to your empire.”

Vadim returned the bow. “It is our privilege, Highness. While the Phrixians and Andarions have not always been on the same side in war, we have always respected your breed as some of the fiercest and most loyal warriors in the Nine Worlds. It will be our honor to fight with you.”