“I don’t remember asking for your input,” Lobelia hisses. He only raises his hands as if he’s simply trying to help.

“Fifteen percent increase in grain for a seven percent increase in thayar. Same taxes as the last agreement. That’s my final offer, and you know it’s more generous than I could be,” I tell Lobelia. Nemesia tenses beside me, aware that Thayaria won’t be able to honor even these terms if we don’t find a way to stop the declining blooms.

“You have a deal, Queen Laurel,” Lobelia says with a smirk. “And I believe that was the last topic for this year’s Forum. We can—”

Mazus clears his throat, interrupting Lobelia. “There is one other final matter that I’d like for us to discuss before adjourning.” My blood turns to ice, dread clenching in my gut as I quickly exchange glances with Nemesia and Admon.

“Well, spit it out, Mazus,” Lobelia says dryly, clearly as ready to be done as I am.

He smirks at her, then looks directly at me. “I’d like to propose that Thayaria and Velmara exchange emissaries.”

The room breaks out in hushed murmurs, even the highly trained Delsar advisors and guards are unable to keep from voicing their shock. Mazus’s own advisors look at him with their brows furrowed. They clearly didn’t know about their King’s plans.

I raise my hand to quiet the room. “Emissaries?” I ask. “You want to send ambassadors to Thayaria?”

“Yes, Your Majesty,” he replies, using my title now that he wants something. “Ambassadors. For too long our kingdoms have been isolated from one another, and I know I’m partially to blame for that. After three hundred years, I grow weary of the tension. I want us to take steps, albeit very small ones, to repair our two kingdoms’ relationship.”

“Partially to blame?” I ask, incredulous. “You attacked my kingdom—”

Admon cuts me off. “Your Majesty,” he says, voice careful, “I believe we should hear him out.” I look at Admon, my eyes blazing. He drops his voice, whispering so I barely hear him. “There may be much information to gain by testing his reasoning for this proposal. It’s strategic for him to have brought this to the Forum, in front of the other leaders, instead of sending a letter to you or even having his advisors bring it up with Nemesia and I first to gauge your reception. Something is afoot. I suggest we hold our tongues and discover what it is.”

My cheeks heat. Even after three hundred years, Admon’s wise counsel still feels like the reproach of a parent. I nod, then turn back to Mazus, who’s grinning so wide I grow nauseous at the sight.

Mazus continues. “As I was saying, I would like to repair our kingdoms’ relationship, and I’m prepared to send my only child, Hawthorne Vicant, the Shining Prince of Velmara, as my emissary.”