Chapter 0390

Inside, my wolf nips me, her hackles a bit raised. You watch him, she murmurs, wary.

What? I ask her, looking between this young man and the Prince next to him who I'm not sure why - seems... much more vicious to me. Which one?

The one with the crown, she replies. I don't know what, but he... he gets under my skin, makes me itchy, makes me want to run, roll in fresh mud, climb in a river and wash myself clean. His wolf - not right...not right.

I frown a little, anxiety turning in me, because...what's happening here?

*Thank you for meeting with us," my father booms out, and my head snaps to the left, to where he stands with my mother, his beautiful Queen, stoic by his side. "Though I admit that I don't understand the purpose of this meeting - not when we have at least ten smaller peace councils scheduled over the course of the next few days of your visit."

The older man at their center, the one to their Prince's right, breathes in a heavy breath, as if he's almost tired by it all. "There will be no need for those," he says, his voice soft and stem. "This will be our last meeting. And it will, in itself, be quick."

I stand up straight in my surprise - because this is... unexpected. Unprecedented! This whole visit was arranged around peace, with the boxing match meant to be a public sporting event between nations, an olive branch extended to demonstrate that we're not as different as we think we are. But then to cancel the peace talks after that?

What...what went wrong?

I glance up at my brother, worried. He glances down at me, a frown on his own lips, clearly feeling the same.

*Speak plainly, Gibson," my father snaps out. "What is the meaning of this? Why cancel early? We haven't even begun."noveldrama

"Because," Gibson, their military commander, replies. "We saw everything we needed to see last night. Our reaction is unanimous. We are ready to end this war."

Hope swells in me alongside the rush of whispers that break out amongst my people. Is it... is it really that easy? But my father's voice is wary, not buying it. "Should I take this to mean," he asks, his voice low with his disbelief," that you wish to draw up a peace accord? Because rest assured, we can do that...very quickly."

*No, you misunderstand," Gibson replies on a bored intake of breath. And then he exhales slowly, a wicked grin shaping his mouth. "What I mean to say is that...after your shameful display last night, with your weak champion - who relies on a woman for strength - that Atalaxia is recommitted to our original plan."

I clench my jaw to keep my mouth from falling open in my shock because...what!?

"Yes," Gibson drawls, looking around at all of us with distaste, like we're horrible scum and he's at risk of infection just by breathing the same air as us. "We find your champion," he sneers at Luca here, who hangs his head, "as emblematic of Moon Valley's rather faulty prowess: short-lived, weak, and too dependent on women for its strength," Cóntent from NóvelDrámá!!

His eyes flick to me here and I raise my chin, not letting him intimidate me. Luca did need my help last night against his opponent, who was a cheat and a ringer, emblematic of Atalaxia itself. All it proves to me is that with the help of its women, Moon Valley can beat even the worst odds. I won't let myself be cowed by this man's ineffectual insults.

*You will keep a civil tongue," my dad snaps, his voice dangerous and low, "when speaking of my women. Especially my daughter."

The Atalaxian waves a hand, dismissing the point. "The fight served its purpose" he continues, sounding bored." That Moon Valley is weak and in need of guidance. After this Atalaxia is newly determined to conquer Moon Valley, to take over the governance of your lands and to teach your people about proper modesty and morality."

A snarl threatens to break from my throat at his words and only years of diplomatic training keep it down. Others in our party are not so successful, and as I glance around I see even Daphne bearing her teeth at the insult.

*I will return home today," Gibson continues, ignoring the protest, speaking over our people. "And recommend a full onslaught. Prepare yourself, Sinclair." His smirk deepens. "We're going to throw everything we've got at you - and we've been holding back. Your pathetic little kingdom..." he sneers and looks around at all of us, "won't exist in a month."