I tip my head and consider. “Cyan isn’t a fool. It’s possible he can be reasoned with. And we aren’t asking any of this for us. Not really.”

Lor snorts out a dry laugh. “Not if you saw what I did to his palace.” She drops her face into her hands and groans.

“I think we have to try,” I say. “And while we’re at it, perhaps one or two can be swayed into helping us beyond destroying the arks. We don’t know what my father is planning, but I’m worried that it will be more than we can handle if we try to go in alone.”

“Cedar promised us his allegiance,” Tristan says, and I dip my chin because he’s right about that. Tristan. Another Primary. I can see the longing in his expression. The desire to get to know the king he’s intended to replace someday. I hope we can give him that chance.

“What about the queens of Tor and Celestria?” Amya asks.

Lor shakes her head. “I don’t know. They knew I was lying too . . .”

“What about Aphelion?” Amya adds. “Do you think Tyr can . . .”

She trails off, and I fill in the words she doesn’t voice.

“But we don’t know if he can even use his magic anymore?” I ask, and she nods. “All good points. We’ll discuss it with Tyr and then ask the others to meet with us. The heir of Heart has risen from the ashes despite every odd, and we can convince them to at least hear us out.”

Lor gives me a worried look, and I squeeze her shoulder.

“Where do we meet them?” Tristan asks.

“Somewhere kind of neutral?” Amya asks.

“No,” Lor says. “They need to see it for themselves.”

“See what?”

“That the magic of Heart has returned. Whatever happens with both Rion and Zerra affects them, too. No matter their personal feelings for me or our grandmother, they must help us or risk losing so much more.”

The corner of my mouth lifts up in a small smile. She’s breathtaking when she’s like this. All fierce determination and bravado. My queen who acted like a queen even when she was a far cry from one.

She looks at me. “Can you get a message to Etienne? Is there anywhere in Heart suitable for receiving the kings and queens of Ouranos?”

“I will right away,” I say. “I’m sure there’s something we can work with.”

“Okay,” Lor says with a firm tip of her jaw. “We ask them to meet us in one week. I don’t think we can afford much more time than that.”

“Agreed,” I say.

“We’ll see Cloris and find out what precautions are needed to complete the bond.”

“And hope that whatever she says is the truth?” Mael adds.

“Right,” I answer. “And isn’t impossible to execute.”