“However,” he continued, “Vesstan’s pride and belief that we are below them will work in your favor. Marry his daughter, and he may still resist a treaty with us. Breed her and dilute their sacred bloodline with our own? He won’t have much of a choice.”

Sulian dabbed a napkin over his lips and stood, staring down at Eithan. “She carries the only direct line their people have left. He will not risk starting a war with her. So, if she returns, do what I told you to do the night we had her, and put a fucking child in her womb.”

Eithan glared daggers into the bastard as he arrogantly gave him his back and disappeared through the doorway leading to the large hearth Eithan had once held Vera’s hand in.

Fucking breed her. Like she was a pure-blooded horse Sulian sought to help fill his personal stables. He bit his tongue until he tasted blood, quashing his disgust at the man who’d sired him.

Sulian had always been weak, but his complete lack of ingenuity or aspiration to help better his own gods damn people infuriated him.

Children. That’s all the Emperor of Matherin hoped to gain with Bhasura’s sole heir? Fucking children? To intermix her abilities into their bloodline for a ruler years from now to use and enjoy? What good would that do for any of them in the here and now?

It was the most idiotic thing he’d ever heard. Obviously, he wanted to conceive a child with her someday. Who wouldn’t? She was breathtaking and resilient, caring and strong. But there was so much more they could gain from her than that.

The Magyki had been using the relic of the gods to power and heal their people for centuries. But the truth was that it was never made for them, nor was it tied to them. Eithan didn’t yet know what, exactly, it was or how they used it, but he was almost certain they could figure it out together.

Bhasura had hoarded it for long enough. It was time for the people on Aleron to be given the same chance. Living a long, healthy life shouldn’t be a privilege only the Magyki could have.

He removed the small vial, holding it up to his face and admiring the liquid rippling inside. His people deserved the same gifts and privileges, and he’d do whatever it took to give it to them.

Chapter 17

VERA

Following Jaeros down the halls back toward the room she and Jaren had shared, Vera barely made it through the doorway before she lost it.

“What the fuck was that?” she demanded, pushing back tears as she crossed her arms and stared at Jaeros.

Her emotions were a complete and utter wreck, and she felt ready to break at any moment. What on Aleron had just happened? Had that seriously been her father? A male who had to believe she was who she claimed, who should want to believe she was, but who didn’t appear to care in the least.