For the first time, Ace responds, his face softening. "You are not wrong," he says quietly.
Zeb stands taller. "I would have chosen my people as well."
I nod. "And that is why we are alike. I don't know if you can forgive me, both of you. Perhaps you will one day. But right now, no matter what you think of me, we are still bound together by what we believe. Our people are in danger, and we choose to protect them above all else."
Zeb and Ace exchange a look, their jaws tense.
Dean approaches his brothers. "I have travelled with Arianna these past few months, and I swear to you, she has always had the best interests of both Fae and vampire at heart. She seeks nothing but peace and freedom for both our kind."
Zeb looks at me, scanning me up and down. "We have not known each other long, princess, but I remember when you and Fen visited my realm for food and talk. I sensed in you then what I sense in you now. The will to do good." He turns to Ace. "I trust her, brother."
The Prince of Sloth points to the map. "Even if we were to fight with you, how can we win? Levi, Niam, and even Asher have pledged alliance to Lucian. As we speak, they march with an army of thousands—vampire, Shade, and Fae—toward the Realm of Gluttony. They will take it in three days' time."
I point to a shallow crossing on the map, a place where the river grows thin enough to walk over. "They will have to pass through here. We meet them with your combined armies and force them into battle."
"We don't have the numbers to win," says Zeb.
"We don't need to beat their army," I say. "We just need to beat Lucian. Once the king is dead, the Fae will no longer fight against us."
Ace shakes his head. "No one can defeat our father. No one but his brother."
"I know of another who did defeat him," I say. "A Midnight Star. But she showed mercy, and Lucian killed her. I will not repeat the same mistake."
Zeb sits on the table, crossing his legs. "I had heard rumors, but they were always dismissed. Few saw the final battle between Lucian and the High Fae. The official story is he overpowered her with ease, but if what you say is true…"
"I can kill him," I say, clutching my sword. "I swear it."
Ace grimaces. "And what of the creature? The beast of Darkness he keeps at his heel?"
Dean throws his arms around his brothers' shoulders'. "Surley the three of us can find a way to separate them? We draw the creature away with our forces, and Arianna fights good old daddy."
"This seems a fool's plan," says Ace. "I would rather join with Lucian than see all my people slaughtered." He turns away, studying the map. "What of Fenris? Why is he not with you?"
Dean raises his hands, fumbling for words. "He…"
"He's tired of fighting," I say. "Tired of ruling." I don't tell them the rest, that I suspect Fen said the things he did in part because of the Rift. I don't wish to waste time.
Zeb paces, then sighs. "It may be a fool's plan. But it's the only one we have. And I, for one, am not pledging allegiance to Lucian. He wishes to fight the heavens and force his brother to break our curse, and yet he hasn't considered the cost. I remember how we battled the angels. I remember how friends I had grown up with, women I had loved, I remember how they all died before my eyes. And even worse, I remember the friends who killed them, those people who sided against us. We lost to the heavens before. And we will lose again." He jabs his finger at the map. "I say we stand a better chance to win this battle right now, then to try and break the curse with Lucian. Ace, brother, you must see this."
Ace doesn't respond.
So Zeb reaches around him, to a silver platter and grabs a… cupcake?
He eats it voraciously as everyone stares. Then another. And another. He speaks between chews. "Together…" Chew. Chew. "We will…" Chew. Chew. "Defeat." Chew. Chew. "The Darkness." He pauses from his consumption of treats, noticing my wide eyes. "What?" he asks. "It's the curse. I swear."
Dean whispers in my ear. "You get used to this after a while."
Ace sighs like an overworked parent, then offers me his hand. "I need you to see something."
I can tell by his gaze this can't wait, so I take his hand and follow him to the door.
Dean walks behind us.
"Only her," says Ace.
Dean grabs the hilt of his sword. "Not sure I trust the two of you alone."
Ace gestures all around him. "Brother, you are in my fortress, surrounded by thousands of my soldiers. I don't need to lead her into a trap, because you are already trapped if I wish it. Understand?"
Dean looks around, his face suddenly nervous. "Well, bloody hell, when you put it that way."
"We won't be gone long," says Ace. "In the meantime, prepare for battle."
Zeb heads for the exit. "I shall return to my realm at once and gather my army. We suffered casualties fending off the Fae, but there are still many of us. We shall meet your army at the river crossing. I will take position behind the hill. When you send a signal, we will strike at Lucian's force from the flank, breaking his army."
"The signal must be easy to spot," says Ace.
I nudge the little dragon on my shoulder. "I will send the signal. Yami will shoot blue fire straight into the sky."
Zeb nods. "Very well. Then I will see you tomorrow. When we win, I'm buying everyone a round of drinks." He runs out, his footsteps echoing in the halls.