The doors to the dining hall loom over me at the end of the corridor. Since receiving Zek's message, everything thing seems massive... impossible to conquer. It took me several minutes to gather myself after giving into my emotions in mine and Kyron's room. The magnitude of what lies ahead felt overwhelming. I wallowed in the misery of feeling like this was a task too difficult for Pliris—a mountain we had to move with our bare hands. Only this mountain is in the form of an entire kingdom of shifters, with a mighty army. It wasn't until I calmed my breathing and sat in silence that I realized even a mountain could be moved. We would need to demolish it stone by stone, exhausting our resources and energy. But it could be done.

I stop in front of the two guards standing watch outside of the dining room. Lifting a finger, I signal for them to give me a moment. Our most trusted friends and family may sit behind these doors, but it doesn't make me any less nervous. This will be my first official act in Kyron's court. I can't help but wonder how my reputation as a fallen queen will proceed me. Some will believe I'm attempting to take my place as ruler again, and many will feel that I have no right to voice my thoughts on kingdom matters. I can't help but worry that the people I love most might feel the same.

I run my palms down the smooth black leather of my tight breeches and straighten the front of my red jacket. With a nod of my head, the guards throw open the doors. The room goes silent, and all eyes turn to me. The soles of my knee-high boots click on the shiny white floor as I make my way to the head of the table. I curse myself for tying my hair back at my nape. I feel vulnerable without the brown waives blocking my profile. Taking the empty chair to Kyron's right, I fold my hands in my lap and look at those around me.

Borin sits across from me in a deep purple jacket with a high neckline. His gaze locks on to mine and he slightly lowers his chin. It is a small gesture that lets me know he approves of me being here. Papa sits next to me in a gold and black guard uniform. His breast adorned with medals that claim he is the captain of the king's guard. He reaches over and places his hand over mine, giving it a squeeze. Across from Papa is Greer, with Terro and Ulric on either side of her. She sits back in her chair with one booted foot resting on her thigh. She looks casual and disinterested, but I've seen this cool demeanor before. Kyron once wore it when he was the army's general. He was anything but bored with gatherings like this. In fact, he was always waiting for that perfect moment to show just how invested he was. Greer is clearly doing the same. I pause on Ulric as he stretches his neck to talk to the person on the other side of him. Ashavee sits at the last seat in her human form, and she rolls her eyes at whatever Ulric whispers. It's good to see her here and to know she finally feels safe enough to join us in the weaker of her two forms. Leif and Wel occupy the last two chairs on the other side. Their hands rest on the tabletop, and I don't miss the way their fingers brush against each other.

"I am sorry I'm late. It took me longer to get ready for this meeting than I'd hoped," I say.

Kyron looks at me and the question in his expression is clear: are you all right? I nod and he gives his attention to the rest of the table. "Zek's focus seems to be Raelle," he says.

"That's not true," I interject. "The bones are a symbol of war. He wants you distracted on the wrong thing."

He cocks a brow, and his answer is a deep rumbled, "It's working."

"It can't. We need to be preparing our forces."

Ashavee sits up and says, "Raelle is right. If Zek presented you with bones, it is a matter of days before my people are upon us. In the same breath, I do believe he will focus on capturing Raelle at first. You've proven she is your weakness. He wants that power back."

Everyone goes quiet, stewing in Ashavee's words. It doesn't take a genius to understand that I'm a problem. Even an ounce of this kingdom's assets going toward my safety puts us at a bigger disadvantage. I refuse to be the reason we lessen our chances of survival.

"Then I'll go into hiding. Kyron can rest assured that I'm somewhere safe, and maybe it will give us a slight advantage with the Allaji concentrating on finding me," I say, hating that I even have to suggest it. My actions made it clear yesterday that I would do anything for this kingdom; there is no better time to prove that than now.

Leif leans forward, resting his elbows on the table. "The plan has potential."

"It doesn't," Ashavee counters. "Raelle was paraded through our court. Zek's most skilled warriors know her scent. Even if she hides underground, they will find her."

"Can't we like... I don't know. Slather her with animal smells or something?" Terro asks.

Ulric and I scrunch our noses and shake our heads. "Been there. Done that. It didn't work out too well for us. We made it just beyond Zek's palace when they cornered us," he says.

The memory of the shifters' blood-thirsty gazes flashes in my head. We almost didn't make it off the island alive. The only people who will stand a chance are the Khiros, and we will need them all on the front-lines.

"Raelle needs to be redeemed with the Statera," Kyron says, pulling the Eporri from his pocket and placing it on the table. It catches the light, reflecting it in a rainbow of colors. "The stone is useless to me, but she can control it if I make her queen. It will give us an advantage on the battlefield. She is unstoppable with it."

"That's true, but we don't know of anyone who has been redeemed after killing in a sanctuary," Borin says, eyeing the stone that his late husband had implanted in my leg as a baby.

With a gentle pat on my hand, Papa lets go of me and says, "Even if there is a way for Raelle to fall into the folds of the Statera's grace again, we don't know how long that will take. We need to find another way to keep her safe."

"No," I say, pushing back from the table and standing. My feet take control, anxiously strolling the length of the room and back again. "No one is to be put on special duty to guard me. And even if I could gain the Statera's forgiveness in a day or two, it won't matter. The Sacred Gift of the Allaji is too powerful. Zek can shift into an animal unlike anything we can comprehend. He will have speed, flight, and strength on his side. Even with the Eporri, I will be no match for him."

"That wouldn't be the case if you fulfilled the prophecy to this kingdom." says a calm monotone voice.

I stop my pacing to find a sibyl in a pale blue robe sitting in the far corner of the room. They have a journal opened on their lap with a quill moving swiftly over the pages. The sibyl doesn't so much as glance up from their task, continuing as if they never spoke.

"I did fulfill the prophecy," I say, gesturing to Kyron. "The kingdom is united under one ruler again."

The Sibyl glances up at me and says, "The prophecy called for you to restore the kingdom, not reunite it."

"What does that mean?" Kyron asks.

"This kingdom has not completed its divine task for centuries. The Saras heal, Esspress tell the stories of the spirts, and Sibyls carry out the will of the Statera. What is Pliris' purpose in the five kingdoms?"

The question angers me. I did what Micah told me I was called to do, and now I'm hearing it isn't enough. Pliris has a purpose I'm supposed to restore? How am I to do that when I don't even know what they are talking about?

I brace my arms on the tabletop and lean toward where the sibyl sits. "What was our kingdom's purpose?"

They eye the Eporri with disgust. "That stone and its counter piece are meant to continue the discourse cursed upon this kingdom centuries before. They are not a true source of power. The stone this kingdom once held was more powerful than the others. It had the ability to give and take the gifts of the Statera without prejudice. It could cease wars and start them."

I shake my head, something inside of me stirs at their words. It is so familiar.

"Where is the stone now?" Borin asks.

"Raelle knows where to find it," they say, returning to their journaling and ending their conversation with us.

I plop down in my chair with my mouth open. Raelle knows where to find it? I don't even know what they are talking about... Yes, I do. I've felt a bizarre connection to a map since I first heard the legend behind it. Ashavee couldn't believe I was ignorant of a piece of Pliris' history. A history that others here thought was nothing more than a children's story. A story about a stone that could take and give power.

"The Cruel King's Stone," I say.

One side of Wel's face lifts in confusion. "The story my mother told me when I wouldn't eat my vegetables as a child?"

I shake my head and turn to Kyron. "The map your mother hired sailors to follow. She knew the stone was real, and she wanted it."

Kyron pivots in his chair, facing the Sibyl. "What will happen if we find the stone?"

"My job is to know Pliris' history and chronicle your reign for future generations. Prophecy is not my specialty," the sibyl replies with disinterest.

Borin drops his voice and says, "This could be a waste of time. People have searched for the Cruel King's Stone for hundreds of years. Nothing in our history books gives any indication that it is real."

Kyron leans back in his chair and runs his hand along his jaw. "Micah was told of the prophecy while visiting Sibyl. If we ride day and night, we can reach their temple, ask our questions, and return home before the next sun rises. We can spare a day if it means having a chance to win this war."

"And if the Sibyls say it is true?" Papa asks.

"We will deal with that when the moment comes. For now, we need to know if there is something out there that will give us a fighting chance."

The mixture of doubt and hope radiating from everyone is palpable. We are suggesting that we use precious time on something that might not help us. This is the measure of our desperation. Anything is better than taking our chances with the Allaji as things stand.

"You said you have the map. Do you know where it leads?" Kyron asks me.

I shake my head. "I've searched it numerous times, but nothing is familiar to me. I can say with certainty that it isn't in Pliris."

Kyron focuses on Leif and says, "Are you up to finding another impossible thing?"

Leif runs his fingers through his thick golden hair like he is already milling over possible locations. "Yeah. I'll figure it out."

Something in my chest sparks to life. Setting this plan in motion feels right. It doesn't make complete sense to me, but deep in my bones, I know this is what I'm supposed to do.

Ashavee pulls her braid over her shoulder and weaves the ends through her fingers. "I'll go with you to Sibyl. You will need someone who can sense the presence of other shifters. They will pounce once they learn you've crossed your border. It will be an opportune time for them to take you, Elle."

"I'll go too," Ulric says with an eagerness he usually reserves for a glass of fine whiskey.

Terro's hand shoots into the air. "You will need more than a couple of people looking out for you if we want to ensure you get the answers you need. I'm going."

Greer leans back in her chair and folds her arms over her chest. "I can't let these two idiots be your only source of protection." She glances past Ulric to Ashavee. "No offense."

Ashavee shrugs and says, "Totally understandable."

"They won't be the only ones watching over Raelle. I'm going," Kyron says.

"But what about­—"

Papa places a hand on my shoulder and says, "You will need all the help you can get. Borin and I will watch over the kingdom. It has fared well under our watch before."

"It has," Borin agrees.

Ulric claps and rubs his hands together. "This is going to be like old times."

"The four of us storming through the five kingdoms and kicking ass," Terro adds.

Kyron locks gazes with Greer and says, "This could be a terrible idea."

A bright smile consumes her face, putting her teeth on display. "Oh, it's the most terrible idea. And that's why I'm looking forward to it."