“I both hate him and love him at once,” she said as she glanced at the fire again, the flames looking angrier than before.

Darai swept his hands down the front of his dark robes. “That is the very issue I came to discuss. I fear that the bond between the two of you will never be repaired. Not fully.”

Nor kept replaying the events of the attack in her mind. “He killed Zahn,” she said softly. “Not by choice...but he set into motion what was the killing blow.”

Darai nodded. “He did what he had to do to save you. For that, I am eternally grateful... And that is why it pains me to say this, Nor. It pains me deeply.” He huffed out a breath. “In Exonia, we believe that only life can pay for life. That when one person wrongs another, someone must pay the price.”

“As you’ve said,” Nor remembered. It was the reason why she’d wanted Cyprian dead. Why she would have brought him back only to kill him again a hundred thousand times, to pay for all the Xen Pterrans who’d perished during the Cataclysm, including her own father.

“And since I have always upheld the Exonian ways—and helped you to uphold them, too, as your mother made me promise—then I fear the only way we can solve this issue is to do what we have always done. To hold fast to our beliefs.”

Nor wasn’t sure where Darai was going with this. But her insides began to feel prickly.

“I do not advise such a decision lightly, but... Valen must pay for Zahn’s death,” Darai said. “It’s the only way you will ever be able to truly forgive him and move on with your mission as queen of both Mirabel and Exonia.”

Nor blinked, not quite believing her uncle’s words. “I...I’m afraid I don’t understand.”

They’d built this kingdom upon Valen’s compulsion. His power was unbelievably strong, far stronger than any Darai said he’d seen before, during his upbringing in Exonia. It was because of Valen’s power that they were even on Arcardius now.

“You wish to punish Valen?” Nor asked incredulously.

“Not punish.” Her uncle pursed his lips together, considering his words. “Would you help me stand, my dear?”

Nor nodded and assisted her uncle as he got to his feet, breathing heavily. They walked over to the fire together and watched the flames flicker in silence. There were stars carved on the back wall of the fireplace, intricate little designs made by a steady hand.

“Your brother’s power is like a flame, burning bright,” Darai said, gesturing toward the fire. “The brightest I’ve ever seen. A true marvel, Valen is. But when we arrived here, and we began to spread his compulsion across the galaxy...”