“And you know that with my control over the entire supply of thayar flower, I have a lot more power in this negotiation than you want to admit. Give me. Another. Number.” I use my aether-voice, reminding every single leader at this table that I’m more powerful than them all combined. Both Mazus and Lobelia wince. If I wanted to, I could force them to their knees. When crowned, every fae monarch receives the ability to speak with aether in their voice, granting them control over those less powerful than them. It’s a convenient way to measure the magic of those in power.

“I would be happy to provide Thayaria with the grain you seek,” Mazus sneers. “Velmara relies on thayar for most of our kingdom’s trade, as you know. Any increase in our imports would be met with favorable trade terms.” His eyes sparkle. He knows I need the grain, but also knows I refuse to trade with Velmara. Out of necessity, we sell them thayar at an inflated price and use the funds to purchase what we need from one of the other two kingdoms. Unfortunately, the prices barely make a dent in their deep coffers.

“That won’t be necessary,” I respond icily before turning my attention back to Lobelia.

Despite my calm exterior, I was worried this would happen. Thayaria’s supplies of thayar are decreasing dramatically. If we don’t find a solution soon, we won’t be able to keep up with our existing commitments to the other three kingdoms, much less any changes to those terms. Not only will our revenue decrease to almost nonexistent, prohibiting us from purchasing what we need to survive in isolation, the other kingdoms will surely uncover what’s going on and become more fervent in their own research to get past the barrier.

“Fine,” Lobelia says. “You can receive a fifteen percent increase in grain, and in return you’ll provide equal amounts of thayar. If you want twenty percent more, we’d be happy to do that deal as well.”

I suspect this is the agreement she wanted all along, and by presenting it this way, she appears fair and reasonable. An even trade. But thayar is worth much more than grain, and she knows it. Fifteen percent more grain is equal to less than five percent more thayar. Even if it was fair, Thayaria doesn’t currently have enough thayar production to increase Delsar’s share so dramatically.

“Now, far be it from me to step in where I’m not wanted,” Mazus begins, and I struggle to keep from rolling my eyes, “but that does seem like a fair agreement. Thayar grows abundantly on Thayaria, surely your people can shoulder such a small change to their thayar access.” His eyes twinkle knowingly, and my stomach drops. He knows about the declining blooms.