‘It was centuries ago, and we still haven’t recovered. Every other nation was able to advance except us. There is not a single country that wants to trade with us. And we had a chance to, but you blew it by insulting that merchant from Gaea.’

Kellan laughed. ‘All I did was set his ship on fire.’

‘It’s not funny,’ she snapped, curling her hand into a fist. ‘Because of that error, our people will be hungry for another winter.’

His throat bobbed. And the constant cloud of guilt loomed over him. He was only meant to hurt his family. Not his people.

See, he thought, failure.

His mother regained composure. ‘We need to do some good to make Gaea trust us,’ she told him. ‘If we get in good graces with Krete, our luck may change.’

‘So, I’m going on a PR mission?’ Kellan muttered.

She continued, ‘I found out that the Amulet of Pele was discovered about a year ago.’

Kellan straightened, and Lupo, whom he forgot was there, made his way to sit obediently beside him.

‘And they told you this?’ Kellan assumed. He could be wrong, considering Zakros was so isolated from Krete, and Gaea, his mother, had likely sent her spies to fetch any notable news from the other nations.

With a slight smirk on her face, she shook her head. ‘Loren and Tayven make excellent spies.’

He shrugged. Kellan wouldn’t know, since he had never met them before.

‘Despite this knowledge, they said they needed aid, and I told them I would send one of my children to assess the situation. The High Councillor was pleased with my response. He told me that Gaea didn’t reply. Thus, we have the upper hand. I’m guessing their queen wanted us to make the first move. If there is a Blood Plague, we will look like heroes.’

He nodded.

‘You agree then? You’ll go?’

Not exactly. He wouldn’t mind getting out of Zakros. Getting away from her, Josan, Isla and Sabien. But he is notorious for failing, and if he comes back without a trade agreement, he would have failed not only his mother but all of Zakros. And if a Blood Plague did occur, could he really prevent it?

Bile rose in his throat. ‘What exactly will I be doing?’

She shrugged. ‘Whatever they require.’

He pondered. He needed to elude it somehow. ‘I’m being sent out to be a bitch for a bunch of witches?’

His mother choked out a laugh, something he rarely saw her do. ‘Despite your sharp tongue, you actually have the best temperament in comparison to your other siblings.’

‘Really?’ he said, deadpanning.

‘Do you honestly believe any of your brothers or sisters will be able to hold their tongues when the witches speak out of turn to them? You always manage to keep your mouth shut whenever Josan or Isla rile you up.’