Prince Okalani closed his wings and ambled down the narrow wooden staircase that spiraled around the Koa-Tree Palace. It was ten minutes past seven in the morning when he launched into flight from the eleventh-story egress.

General Kekoa would be tending to last minute details by now and his brother, Haipo, might already be there as well.

Haipo would be emperor any day now. For the longest time, their mean bastard of a father refused to die, but even the best fairy healers in the South Pacific have claimed there was nothing more they could do for the "great" Emperor Ailani.

Prince Okalani shifted the stone blocking the secret entrance to the Kanaloan Army's underground bunker and lowered himself inside. The guard on duty let him pass with a nod.

Along one particularly long corridor, he had to pause to remember which door to enter for consultation and congregation. He guessed correctly, although the voices emanating from the room did admittedly assist him. Haipo and the general were already amid a heated debate in the room just a ways ahead to the right.

"Nice of you to finally join us," his older brother paused midsentence to chide upon Okalani's entry. "Is that spoiled beauty queen still keeping you up past your bedtime?"

Haipo and the general snickered.

Okalani didn't care if Haipo laughed until his sides were sore. It was common knowledge that Kaila was the one thing Okalani had that Haipo was jealous of. There were bearded gnomes more attractive than the object of Haipo's arranged marriage and they were undoubtedly more amicable, too.

"The summit isn't scheduled until nine," Okalani answered around a deep yawn as he prepared a mug of herbal tea from the cart of refreshments. He slumped into a seat at the head of the table, a few empty chairs away from his brother and the general. "And don't speak of my wife like that!"

"That's when General Chevalier is arriving," Prince Haipo stated, ignoring Okalani's rebuke. "Everyone else, however, is here early overseeing the last interrogation."

"How's that going?" Okalani asked. "Finally get a location for the Kāne basecamp?"

The general's lip twitched into what looked like a snarl. "No, they still won't talk. Christopher MacRae is the most stubborn son of a bitch I've ever come across. It's as if he feels no pain. And the Jokura kid claims he's never used Scott MacRae's enchanted passageways. But the arrogant glint in his eye suggests he knows more than he's letting on. If it were up to me, they'd both be dead already. They're far more trouble than they're worth."

"You and I both know they're much more valuable alive than dead," Prince Haipo said, taking the predictably softer stance. "Hand MacRae over to Pyxis? Definitely. I still think we should hang on to Bane Jokura, though. The Kāne Army might forfeit the disputed territory for his safe return."

"Pyxis will supply us with all the gold, magic, and advanced weaponry we could ever need!" Okalani interjected, raising his voice to make sure it was acknowledged. "They have requested the exchange of both prisoners. And why should we negotiate with the Kāne Army? We'll easily be able to retrieve our land once we've expanded our arsenal."

"That's if  Pyxis fulfills their end of the bargain," General Kekoa growled. "They never take our requests seriously. We may not even get back the cost of keeping the prisoners alive."

Their heads snapped toward an urgent knock on the door.

"Come in," the general commanded.

A young soldier entered, panting uncontrollably.

"Speak, boy! Did they make any progress with the prisoners?"

"No! Sir, we're under attack!"

They all rose abruptly from their chairs.

"Secure yourselves in my office immediately!" The general ushered Okalani and Haipo toward the door. "I knew Pyxis could not be trusted."

⭐️⭐️⭐️

Winter's Bite (Book 1) Recap - Christopher MacRae left Pyxis just after the "victory battle" and Andromeda's disappearance. Joseph and Scott MacRae remained at the Aerial Palace with an ill and injured Princess Cassiopeia, who just barely survived a long night.

Christopher, to avenge what happened to Cassiopeia, intended to hunt down Crux Chevalier and what was left of the "Pyxis Royal Air Brigade" in Hawaii, their last known location.

Four years have passed since then. We've now had a view (the first ever) from the inside of "Kanaloa Territory." Chris is an ally of the Kāne Army and is being held captive with Bane Jokura, the youngest of the Jokura siblings (Kale, Alana [Chris's deceased wife], Simona, Jasmine, and Bane, in that order). And these are their Hawaiian enemies. Kanaloa has formed what appears to be a loose alliance with "General" Crux Chavalier.

Next, we'll see what's new in Pyxis...