“It appears you don’t require our aid with such powerful allies,” Erias responded.

I leveled a glare across the table. I didn’t like the calculating look creeping across Erias’s face.

Erias continued, “Cantrada is missing its heir.”

I twitched, Thad’s dark face filling my thoughts. Erias was a moron, but he was correct that Thad’s continued absence was the elephant in the room. He was last seen fighting near Wren, but no one claimed to have seen what happened in the chaos. He’d done what I was unable to do and fought to keep Wren safe. It boiled my blood to keep my silence about his whereabouts, but it would lead to more questions than I had the patience to answer. I would only reveal what I knew if absolutely necessary.

“We are tired of dancing around the issue. Name your price,” I demanded, leaning back in my chair. I refused to let any of the tension I felt show in my body. This would be the moment of truth.

Erias leaned back as well, though he didn’t fill the massive throne easily, and the effect was lost. He sneered. “In exchange for my men, money, and overall support against the Overlord, I will take Cantrada and add it to my kingdom.”

Zara was on her feet, face red in anger. “Cantrada isn’t yours to take. Thad is—”

“Gone. Dead. No one knows. You asked what my price was for an alliance against the demon hordes. That is my price.” Erias crossed his arms over his chest, a wide smirk across his face. I narrowed my eyes at him. He thought he’d won. I stood as well, stretching my wings as far as they would go, my aim to intimidate and challenge.

“What are you staring at?” Zara narrowed her eyes at Princess Kali, who quickly blinked and looked the other direction.

“Don’t you dare speak to the princess like that.” Erias was distracted by the captain, who merely cocked an eyebrow, her head tilting to the side in mock confusion.

“I dare to do whatever I like. Including taking the refugees and settling them elsewhere, then docking my fleet at Lyoness,” Zara said. “We’ll have a nice little picnic as the other half of the armada lands in your bay and tears you apart, should you not be fair in your asking price.”

Erias’s face was red, and he sputtered in indignation. “You dare—”

Despite the theatrics, I knew I had to step in to save the alliance. “I will make this deal with you on the condition that you cede control back to Thad if he returns.”

Spike’s and Zara’s eyes shot to mine, and I blinked. Zara and Astrid blinked back. Erias sniffed, raising his nose at me. He knew something was up but had no proof with our blank faces.

“I will consider what you have asked. Leave me and my family. We have some private matters to discuss.” He shot a nasty look at Kali, who steadfastly ignored her father, and tipped back an entire goblet of wine. She was still staring at Zara.