Elena sat on the arm of his chair, and it was unfortunate her arse in that gown was that close and he could not enjoy it by pulling it into his lap.

“This was not a good bird to go astray,” Hera murmured.

“Otho was found?”

At Nero’s quiet question, Cassius dropped his hand and looked to the Nadirii warrior, Peg.

“The bodies were preserved as best we could, boxed, and entered into the earth,” Peg answered. “We did this because we did not have the warriors to spare to transport them here. And I am sorry, Your Grace,” she aimed this at Cassius, “we do not know much of your gods, but we asked our goddess to bless them until this sacrament could be made by your own.”

“We’ll get them and return them to their families,” Cassius muttered. “And thank you for your care of them.”

She dipped her chin to him before she continued, her gaze moving to Elena, “Our trackers picked up a trail, it was hard to miss. Apparently, Zees enjoy leaving breadcrumbs. It was heading north. I know no more, my princess. I just know that Queen Ophelia led them that way.”

“Do you find it odd we have received no raven since?” Cassius asked Elena’s profile, for she was regarding Peg wearing a pensive expression.

She shook her head and looked down at him. “I find it hopeful.”

Cassius nearly smiled.

Of course she did.

“She would send word if there was word to be sent,” Elena finished.

“What did you do with the other bodies?” Ian asked Peg.

“We did not have time to make crates for all of them. There were too many,” Peg answered, and Cassius winced. “But we shrouded them securely and buried them.” She looked to Cass. “This is your way, is it not?”

Cassius nodded.

“Cass?” Rus prompted.

He expelled a heavy breath.

And then he decreed, “We cannot have Fern’s army slaughtering citizens before a war has even officially broken out.”

“Guess we’re outvoted,” Jasmine muttered to Mac.

Mac flung an arm around her shoulders.

She leaned into his frame.

“And we cannot have Silvanus and his Zees running amuck across Airen thinking he’s helping, when he’s not.”

“I did not know you formed that deep of a bond with him, Cass,” Elena remarked.

“I didn’t either,” Cassius replied, before he voiced his decision. “I need to make a proclamation, as soon as possible, that any unsanctioned aggression in this realm will be treated as the criminal act it is.”

“Until it’s sanctioned,” Jasmine put in.

“If it is,” Cassius retorted. He again looked to Ellie. “Your mother has my permission to proceed as she will to liberate Fern. That is all.”

“Then we must get to parchment and gather the heralds,” Elena said quietly.

He had hoped for a different end to this day.

Wine. Food. Their friends around.

And if they could, retiring early, if just so he could lie abed with Elena and hold her.