I supposed it could work. “Then send your delegation. Let me know what he says.”

No one moved. Instead, they all looked away or at each other except for Astrid, who stared me down.

“I just returned to my people, and you want me to leave again?” I said softly, my voice low and rumbling.

“Imagine a world where your children are free to leave the island. Witches and humans working together, never having to fear for your mate—”

“Leave her out of this.”

Mercifully, Astrid shut up. She likely felt the raging tempest as my magick swirled around my chest, my blood magicks bursting to be set upon someone . . . anyone. A world where Wren was safe, where our children were safe. It was worth leaving my people again, wasn’t it? She was worth anything. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath before opening them.

“Fine.”

Without another word, Astrid left. I shook off Wyrren and Ronan’s questions. I didn’t have time for secret codes and innuendos. I needed a plan to get my queen back now. Perhaps Aldur could help. If I could convince their king to support open war with the hordes, I could sneak into the mountains and take her back. I frowned, realizing I had no idea who the royal was. It had been centuries since I’d made contact with any of them. I jerked as Kieran laid a heavy hand on my shoulder, the mate bond tensing with sorrow. At times it was hard to remember that I wasn’t the only one missing Wren.

A chasm of darkness opened across my soul as I tried to imagine my life without her. I simply couldn’t. She was the last female, the only chance we had, the only chance I had. The future of my entire people depended on her. My future depended on her. Or were they both the same thing? I shook my head, but that only made my headache worse.

“I will get her back whether anyone helps me or not.” I stormed out of the meeting, just managing to catch a last glimpse of Meruse jumping off the cliff and disappearing under the waves

“Benedict. Get up.” My father’s voice was in my head again. He hadn’t plagued my nightmares for a long time. Not since Wren had come. “Boy. Get up.”

Wren didn’t exist here. It was only my father and me. I had failed to gather the support of the witch covens and now lay injured on a tangle of weeds at our makeshift camp, unable to accompany my father on his mission.

“Father, please don’t do this. It’s suicide.”

I couldn’t get up if I tried. The witches broke both my legs, their blood magicks keeping mine from healing my body.

“She is our last female, Benedict. I didn’t expect to have to explain to you the importance of that. It trumps everything.”

It wasn’t right. I knew the demons were responsible for the eruption, and now my queen, my mother, was dead, but all my father cared about was Rhyfel.