“We have no time to waste.” He coughed into his sleeve, leaving behind a few flecks of blood. Darai stood and offered him a bit of cloth. Valen nodded his thanks, wiping his mouth clean. “I’m sorry, Nor. But this is our duty to Exonia. It’s time.”

She swallowed and chewed on her lip. So quickly, the tide of this war had turned. So quickly, she’d gone from feeling as if she had no choice, to Valen suddenly deciding for her.

“You’re sure you know what this means?” she asked. “You know that once you enter that satellite, once you go forward with being uploaded...you’ll never be able to take it back.”

Valen nodded, his eyes downcast. “I’m fully aware, Nor. Darai has answered all of my questions. I’m ready. I want this. And I know you want it, too.”

It was all happening so fast.

Nor turned back to Darai, to ask him a final time, to command him to find another option. But then the door to her office swung open, and Nor’s head analyst rushed in.

“Majesty!” The woman’s silver veins were bright as she bowed.

Nor stood at the same time as Darai. “What is it?” she asked.

“We’ve received a message from Arachnid,” the analyst said, panting slightly. “He has Androma Racella in custody. And he’s en route to Arcardius, this very moment, to offer her up as a token of peace. He requests that the girl’s remaining crew be there, ready to hand over as a trade, as well as the body of her pilot, so she can be buried. He’s also asked for a cease-fire—if we stop the attacks on his people, he’ll stop the attacks on ours.”

Nor felt like the ground was about to fall out from beneath her.

“Are you certain?” Nor asked, her heart hammering.

The analyst nodded, face bright with excitement at the happy news. “We’re certain, Majesty. What would you have me do? Arachnid is waiting for a response.”

Nor looked to Darai, who nodded his encouragement. “The time is nearly here, my dear. Perhaps the spider has finally realized he is vastly outnumbered. He has come to his senses.”

Valen smiled weakly at her from the couch. “Tell him we accept. Give him the girls—we don’t need them. And we’ll head to Nexus immediately, to begin preparations.”

“But of all people, Arachnid arrives with Androma in tow?” It felt like a trick.

“Perhaps they had formed an alliance, which Arachnid is now using to his utmost advantage. A wise decision, if he wishes to save himself,” Darai suggested. “We’ll have all of our soldiers at hand. An army ready to capture them both.”

“You would make a false deal?” Nor asked.