Zahn’s hands flew across his notescreen, perusing guard orders, communications and whatever else he dealt with so that she didn’t have to. “Androma’s crew will be stationed as guards to your left and right,” he told her. “The cameras will focus on them long enough for Androma to see that they are, in fact, loyal.”

“Of course they are. We all know the Zenith virus has sealed my reign,” Nor answered. “But we need the Unaffecteds to recognize that truth. That I am no longer the starving, broken princess from Xen Ptera, but a queen who will tear apart the Void and make way for something far greater than Mirabel has ever been capable of before. Nobody will harm me—not here. Not today. They will help me bring Androma forth, and Arachnid’s threat will falter.”

Nor felt in her heart that it was true.

Behind her, Valen suddenly groaned, as if he were in pain. Nor glanced over her shoulder, but her brother was still lost in his mind, eyes clenched shut. For a moment, she debated trying to reach him through the mental doorway between their minds, to see if he was alright, but Nor knew he would resent the intrusion. Valen needed to remain strong, to believe that she trusted in his ability to see this through.

“I want extra guards stationed around Valen,” she said, looking to Darai this time and lowering her voice to a whisper. “It’s not safe for him out there.”

Her adviser gave a curt nod, the metal etchings on his face catching the light from the sunset outside the transport window. “I agree, my dear. We must keep him as safe as we can, in the event that an attack occurs.”

“It won’t,” Zahn interjected. “My guards will be on high alert.” He glanced back at Valen’s thin form, too. “But I agree. We’ll make sure he’s looked after. And Androma’s crew will be at your side, willing to die for both of you, should they need to.”

“I hope she sees the message,” Nor said gleefully. “I hope she sees their faces, full of adoration for their queen, and comes running like a loyal dog.”

“She will,” Darai said with confidence. “After today, there will be nothing, and no one, who can stand in your way. Exonia will be ours once more.”

Nor raised a brow at him.

“Yours, my dear,” he corrected hastily. “Exonia will be yours, and you will reign supreme until the end of your days.” Darai smiled. “I can see it now. A lifetime of patience, and pain, finally coming to fruition.”

“And then our children will reign after,” Nor said, taking Zahn’s hand again, nodding along to her uncle’s words. “Valen’s message will ring out for eternity, and the Solis bloodline will rule forever.”