“Gilly,” the New Vedan hissed. “I’m sorry, my queen. She’s as blunt as they come.”

Nor smiled. “It’s alright.” She stood, pulling her hand from the child’s chin as she spun to look at Darai, Valen and Zahn. “It’s time for me to make a speech. Alert the soldiers. Bring in the camera crew. I’ll speak to my people from the Academy’s square. I want everyone on Arcardius to be there to see me, and everyone else in the galaxy to hear me.”

“Nor, my love,” Zahn started. “It’s too risky to—”

His words trailed off as Nor spun back to look at the three girls. Her gaze fell on the smallest again—Gilly. A pretty little thing, and so pliable beneath her brother’s power.

“The answer to my earlier question, child, is that we crush the things our enemies love. We destroy them. And we will do exactly that with you three.” She reached out to stroke one of Gilly’s braids. “I will send out an ultimatum, so loud that Androma Racella will have to hear it. And if she does not arrive on Arcardius within three days, defenseless and willing to hand herself over to me...then the three of you will die. And I will personally be the one who swings the blade.”

She smiled at the girls, so perfectly willing to obey her—to die for her, should it come to that.

“A wise plan, my queen,” the Adhiran girl said. “And an honor, to fall as a sacrifice to your cause.”

“Will she come?” Nor asked. “Will it work?”

“Oh, yes,” the little girl answered, a smile illuminating her freckled face. “She’ll come. Andi always comes for us.”

Her small hands touched the Solis sigil pinned to her chest, as if it were a token of good luck.

The transport ship’s engine purred as the pilot carried them down through the clouds, toward Veronus.

“I have a number of guards stationed on the Academy grounds, where you’ll make the speech,” Zahn said. His voice was tense, filling the small space. The transport ship wasn’t large, with room enough for only six passengers, plus the pilot in an enclosure at the front and a cargo bay in the back.

Nor knew Zahn feared for her safety, away from the well-guarded estate in the clouds. It was true that Arachnid was a threat as real as any, but Valen held control over most of the minds in the galaxy. She trusted her brother to control the crowds.

“I’ll be fine,” she whispered to Zahn, taking his hand. She squeezed it gently, but he only nodded and focused on the notescreen he held, scanning the security measures one last time.