*Piper*

The campfire burns bright in the clearing, casting flickering light over the trees and the faces of the soldiers awake for guard duty. Though Da’mal, a Southern Tribeswoman soldier, who Piper thinks is some kind of lieutenant, told her she didn’t need to stay guard, Piper insisted, saying she felt responsible, as Phoebe is her sister. That isn’t her true reason, however. 

Just as Piper turns to Da’mal and opens her mouth to speak, her attention is caught as she senses Milo’s magic changing position, moving away from her. She incants under her breath, magically enhancing her vision, and sees Milo and Aaron sneaking off through the trees. She doesn’t have to think very hard about where they’re going. Though, why they can’t do that in their tent, she has no idea. Still, if Phoebe’s plan works, they might as well get in as much together time as possible before they die.

Letting her magic fade, her vision returning to normal, Piper looks to Da’mal and says, “I’m going to walk the perimeter.” 

“Again?” asks Da’mal. “You’ve checked it three times in the last hour.”

“It pays to be vigilant. You don’t know what my sister is capable of." Da’mal narrows her eyes at Piper, and she doesn’t have to think very hard about why. Prince Krayden mentioned that family is an unbreakable bond in the Southern Tribes culture. They distrust her because of her relation to Phoebe. If they only knew who killed their horses…

Without another word, Piper turns on her heel and walks through the forest in the opposite direction the emperors took. It would not do well to run into them with what she’s about to do. 

Rather than walk the perimeter as she had actually done multiple times, making sure she was seen by the Southern Tribe warriors in the forest so they could report it to Da’mal, Piper heads to a small pool of water she found earlier.. It’s not very large or deep. If she stood inside, it would barely cover her ankles. She looks around, enhancing her vision with an incantation again, making sure to check the trees but finding no Southern Tribe warriors, then sits beside the pool.

She reaches into the small pouch tied along her waist and pulls a small phial from it, crushes it, and sprinkles it into the pool. The dust from the phial begins to glow as it touches the water, glowing brighter and brighter until the ground where the water sits appears to be full of light. When the light fades, the water has turned into reflective glass, like a mirror, but slightly transparent.

Piper touches the glass and incants, thinking of the one she wants to talk to.

“Sister!” Phoebe’s voice sounds excited, as though she longed for nothing more than to see Piper’s face. Looking up from the glassen surface of the pool, Phoebe asks, “How are you?”

“Honestly?” asks Piper, holding back a laugh. “I’m a little rough. Cripplins, sister, really?”

“I know it was extreme, but you can’t deny it was effective.”

“They attacked me, too. They were resistant to my magic.”

“If they had ignored you, or if you could have destroyed them too easily, it would have looked suspicious. Now, none of them can say you were complicit.”

“I suppose so. Even still…” 

“Don’t worry, sister, I knew those parasites would protect you.”

“Milo and Aaron?”

“Well, them, too. I was mainly referring to the druids. They pretend to revere nature, but they pervert it. You’ll see tomorrow when you visit the city of Kr’fait. They act as though they defend nature, when they really bend it to their will.”

“Since when do you care about nature?”

“Oh, I don’t. I care about people pretending to be something they aren’t and judging others for it. They act as though someone pissing in a river is a crime against nature, but have no issue using their powers to change nature to suit them. They’ve exiled their own people for selling crops in Midoor, believing they shouldn’t leave their precious forest, but yet use magic to control the very nature they claim to protect.”

Piper knows why her sister has such a chip on her shoulder regarding exiling your own people; magical practitioners were exiled from Midoor for many years. 

Phoebe lets out a deep sigh. “But that’s not why I wanted you to meet me when you found a camp, sister. I have another task for you to complete. I have no doubt Aaron will want to travel to Isald, the island I’m currently using as my base of operations. I’ve enchanted a section of the woods near the northern border. You must convince Milo and Aaron to enter those woods.”

“Are you going to tell me why?”

Phoebe pauses for a moment, inspecting her sister’s face. 

“Very well,” she says after a long time. “Here’s what we’re going to do.”

*Milo*

We arrive in Kr'fait just after noon the next day, having come across a patrol on The Path who lent us their horses, though there wasn't one for Oswald. 

Ar'aila told me about this city, but her description of it didn't quite prepare me for the feeling of wonder I feel as Aaron, Piper, Prince Krayden, and I trot into the city on horseback. 

"Oh, wow," gasps Olivia. Oh yeah, she's here too.

The Southern Tribespeople are master druids, manipulating nature with ease. The city of Kr'fait is built into a massive tree, the base of which looks to be wider around than the entirety of Crown City. Tunnels carved from the base lead into the tree itself, up to the city proper, the buildings of which are built on branches. Magic-strengthened vines tie bridges together, linking different areas of the city. The lowest level of Kr'fait is still fifty feet above the ground, with the highest section more than four hundred feet above. Though the tree is taller, its highest leaves scraping the underside of passing clouds. 

Unlike the City of Won and Crown City, citizens in the Southern Tribes aren't separated by class. Poor citizens and rich citizens move among one another with no separation in sight. Homelessness isn’t a thing in the Southern Tribes, at least not the proper cities. Each Southern Tribesperson regards one another as family and they care for each other so long as they abide by their culture and laws.

“We will be heading straight up to the palace,” Prince Krayden informs us. “We will enter the northern tunnel and use a platform that takes us straight up.”

“‘A platform?’” echoes Piper.

“The Goddess Tree is nearly entirely hollow on the inside,” Prince Krayden explains as we approach one of the entrances, guarded by six Jika. “Enchanted platformed, suspended by vines, are located within. They will rise within the tree, taking us to the desired level. This one is only for use to get to the palace itself.”

“Halt!” one of the Jika says in Ur’alian, the native language of the Ur’ali people in the Southern Tribes, as we approach but upon spotting Prince Krayden, salutes him instead, showing the sign of respect of the Southern Tribes. “Apologies, Your Highness,” he adds. “I did not notice you originally. Why are these foreigners with you?”

“I am His Royal Majesty, Milo Heris, Emperor of Theo,” I say to the guard in Ur’alian. He looks surprised that I speak his language. “This is my husband, Aaron Heris, Emperor of Theo.”

“I apologize, Your Majesty,” he says in English. Then, in Ur’ali, adds, “Iss dyahi anduo krethda alaha.”

“Wait, I recognize that saying from somewhere,” says Aaron. “He’s pleased to meet us, right?”

“Yes,” I say, not mentioning the Jika’s rudeness from a moment before.

“We are heading up to the palace,” Prince Krayden says in English. “Our Mother is expecting us.”

“‘Our Mother?’” asks Olivia.

“The Ur’ali consider the Queen our mother. We are all her children.”

“I thought you were all the children of Goddess Earth,” says Piper.

“Yes,” says the guard simply, not elaborating further.

“The Ur’ali culture is very…unique,” I say, choosing to use their word, as opposed to saying “Southern Tribal”.

When we enter the Goddess Tree, I almost feel my jaw drop. The inside, as Prince Krayden mentioned, is hollow and enormous. Over a hundred small orbs of light, like miniature suns, float in midair, casting a soft light throughout the interior. Crisscrossing walkways lead across the inside of the tree, underneath of which dark brown soil is visible, the roots of the Goddess Tree poking through here and there. Platforms are scattered around the inside, leading up into the tree itself, suspended by vines. Many Ur’ali people, men, women, and children, move about inside the tree either getting on to or off of platforms, a lot of them entirely naked. 

“Why are so many people walking around without clothes on?” asks Olivia.

“We believe the human body is a work of art, designed by the Goddess Earth,” explains Prince Krayden. “We have no laws preventing casual nudity. Indeed, you’re likely to see many naked Ur’ali within our cities. You are free to look and appreciate if you want, or to avert your eyes. Many Ur’ali choose to clothe, believing the gift is one that should be shared with only those you love, but it is your decision.”

“I’m going to keep my clothes on,” Olivia says, as if anyone wants to see her naked.

Prince Krayden leads us to the very back of the tree where a large platform resides, guarded by six Jika who allow us to climb aboard without comment. A male Ur’ali in a golden robe approaches us.

“Welcome home, Prince Krayden,” he says in Ur’alian. “Are you heading to the palace?”

“I am,” Prince Krayden responds, also in Ur’alian. 

The Ur’ali nods his head once and touches a vine on our platform. With a whispered incantation, the platform begins to rise, quicker than I would have expected.

“Oh, gods,” says Olivia, holding her stomach and looking a little green. I hope she doesn’t throw up on me.

“Are you okay?” asks Aaron, placing a hand on Olivia’s back and running his other over her swollen stomach. I’m visited by a strange, sudden urge to push Olivia from the platform. Not an urge I would ever act upon, but it’s there.

When the platform reaches the top, Olivia looks like she’s about to throw up. 

“No, no,” she says, taking deep breaths, when Aaron asks if she needs to lie down. “I’ll be fine.”

We have to move much more slowly after that so Olivia doesn’t get sick. I seem to be the only one who minds. Aaron looks worried about her and Piper looks indifferent, but the Ur’ali around us are looking at Olivia as if she’s some kind of goddess. Their ideas about childbirth are extreme, believing a pregnant woman has been imbibed with a piece of the Goddess Earth.

The Palace of Kr’fait is a grand structure which appears to be made of solid, white crystal. As the sunlight filtering through the trees hits it, the light bends in the crystal, shooting out in rainbow arcs in many directions. My jealousy—to call it what it is—over Olivia vanishes as I admire the beauty of the palace.

We don’t get much time to stand and appreciate it, however, as Prince Krayden leads us straight into the palace without seeming too impressed. I suppose that when you live in a place like this your whole life, it’s not as glamorous as it is to others.

The inside of the Palace of Kr’fait is less extravagant than the outside, though still lavish. The interior appears to be made of wood, though painted beautifully with golden images of a sunbathed goddess, the Earth, and attractive Ur’ali people, all of them in the nude. My eyes linger on a depiction of a particularly well-endowed Ur’ali man. Aaron catches me looking and gives me a shit eating grin that I return in earnest.

When we approach the throne room, we find four Jika—two men, two women, none of them wearing a stitch of clothing—guarding the door.

This room is made of the same crystalline material as the exterior of the palace—floors, ceilings, walls, columns, and even the throne itself, though the throne as swirling strings of gold set into it.

“This is where I leave you,” says Prince Krayden. “My mother will be out to see you shortly.” Then he leaves, the door closing with a thud behind him.

Olivia breaks away from the group first, moving to a window facing the north.

“Wow, we’re really far south,” she says. “You can’t even see the—oh, my.”

“What is it?” asks Piper, walking over to join her and looking into the grounds below. “Oh.”

Curiosity outweighs my dislike of Olivia so Aaron and I cross over and look down. 

There’s a beautiful garden below, massive, even larger than the ones at the Grand Palace. Hundreds of different types of flowers bloom, larger-than-life topiaries of animals and mythical creatures are everywhere, but that’s definitely not what has Olivia blushing. There is a large group of Ur’ali, maybe thirty in all, groping each other, kissing, and fucking, seemingly without caring whose body parts enter whom.

I break my eyes away from the orgy at the same time Aaron and Piper do, though Olivia seems oddly drawn to it for a moment longer.

“I see you’ve noticed the Garden of Love,” says a voice behind us.

We all turn and see Allandra Shenri, Mother of the Ur’ali, and Queen of the Southern Tribes, striding across the throne room toward us, stopping in the exact center of the room. She wears a flowing gilded gown, wrapped around her like silken air, her white hair tied into a high bun atop her head. As the sunlight hits the dress, beads of light scatter across her dark skin.

The door she came through closes, drawing my attention to it. A naked Ur’ali man stands beside it, a violin set on his shoulder, poised to play.

“Iss dyaha anduo krethda…” says Aaron, mispronouncing part of the saying and leaving off an entire word, his voice trailing away as he tries to recall the saying.

“Iss dyahi anduo krethda alaha,” corrects Queen Allandra. “You can speak in English, I do not mind, though I commend you for trying.”

“We should cast out these usurpers of the Goddess’s gifts,” says the man in Ur’alian. Queen Allandra’s eyes fall on me as he speaks. “They are not fit to be in your presence or to enter our holy city.”

I clear my throat and speak to him in Ur’alian, though I don’t break eye contact with the Queen. I have a sneaking suspicion she knows I speak Ur’alian. “Our peoples have chosen different paths, but we all reap the benefits of the Goddess Earth. We would do nothing to cause harm to Her while within your realm. We wish only to aid you in your times of trouble.”

I look to the man and see his eyes have grown wide, clearly at a loss as to how I speak his language.

“This is my Royal Adviser, Ki’laum,” says the Queen. “Pay him no mind. Ki’laum, leave us.”

“But—” Ki’laum begins, but is silenced when the Queen raises her hand. Without another word, he sweeps from the throne room, closing the door behind him.

Queen Allandra looks at each of us in turn, as though assessing our value, then walks swiftly to her throne and sits down. She looks to her violinist and gives a small nod. He begins to play a melody, soft and beautiful, the music spreads through the air, the echoing cadence soft and entrancing. The notes vibrates in the air and I feel it more than I hear it.

“I have asked you here,” says Queen Allandra, her voice perfectly audible over the music, her eyes trained on Aaron, “because we are, as you are well aware, facing troubles with one Phoebe Dylan.” The Queen’s eyes shift to Piper for a solid second before returning to Aaron. 

“Though Midoor and the Ur’ali have been allies for many years, I have refused offers of aid from you, believing the Ur’ali capable of handling anything. Phoebe Dylan is another matter, however.”

“What is she doing in the Southern Tribes, Your Majesty?” asks Aaron.

“Before I answer that question, I must ask: why are you here?”

The question confuses me, but only for a moment, the sound of the music calming my nerves. 

“We’re here to stop Phoebe, of course,” I answer, but Aaron starts speaking before my sentence has even finished.

“I’m here to propose the annexation of the Southern Tribes into the Empire of Theo,” he says. 

My eyes snap to him without my telling them to. “We didn’t talk about that,” I say. Aaron turns to me, his gaze hardened.

“Milo, we need as many armies beside us if we’re going to stop Phoebe. You saw what happened to our horses. You saw what she did in Sandalia. You know she was guiding the Red Hand, a terrorist organization that killed hundreds of our citizens.”

“We can’t just run around Pensia adding its countries to our ranks, Aaron. We are expanding too fast. We’re lucky Rija was willing to rule over Sandalia and change it to match our laws.”

“And we’d have Queen Allandra rule the Southern Tribes. It’s the same thing. And, unlike with Sandalia, they aren’t hosting a death tournament. They don’t have poor and homeless.”

“We can’t keep expanding our empire like this, Aaron,” I say. “We’ve already spread our troops really thin.”

“King Dellard has already reported that most Lower Reach soldiers who were loyal to Zannir have been rooted out. We only have a small presence there now. I’ve moved most of our troops to Sandalia to aid Rija.”

“And you really think you can handle running another kingdom in our empire?” I ask, sounding much more sarcastic than I intend to.

“And what would you know about it?” asks Aaron, his words cutting. “I’ve been raised to rule since my birth, my father teaching me everything he learned through decades of ruling over the greatest kingdom on Pensia. You barely handle anything political. You think you know better than me because you watched over Midoor while I was in the Lower Reach for a few weeks? You don’t know what you’re talking about, Milo, not the way I do. Before you married me, you were just a servant.”

The ground falls out beneath my feet at his words, leaving me like a man floating out at sea—alone and lost.

“I wish you two would just cut this fucking shit out!” Piper almost screams. “You’re always fighting. You never work together. And you—” she points in Aaron’s face, “—are becoming power hungry! You’re so quick to expand your empire, pretending you’re just after my sister. You hold on to Midoor like it’s your firstborn child because you crave controlling every little thing under your thumb. Sometimes, I think I was wrong to ally myself with you.”

“Don’t talk about him like that,” I say, turning on Piper. “This argument doesn’t concern you. You have no idea, even less than me, what he has to deal with as an emperor.”

“And you think adding the Southern Tribes to your little empire will make things better for your relationship, Milo?” she asks.

The music swells louder and louder as the violinist plays faster.

“You know what would be good for our relationship, Milo?” asks Olivia, stepping forward. I turn to her, rage filling my heart as I look at her. “If you wouldn’t treat me like some kind of enemy.”

“After all you’ve done to us?” I demand, stepping close to her, my face mere inches from hers. “After you fucked my husband and got knocked up with his baby?!”

“I was tricked!” she yells at me, her voice so shrill I have to take a step back. “I was tricked and I never meant for that to happen. But you’re entirely responsible for how you treat me. You think I don’t notice the looks you give me when Aaron shows care after our baby? You think I can’t read the thoughts behind your eyes when you look at me? I’ve done nothing—nothing—but be nice to you, and you spit in my face.”

“I’m sorry that I don’t feel like making friends with the whore that fucked my husband!” I shout back.

“Don’t talk to her like that!” Aaron yells, pulling me away from Olivia. “You think Olivia and I are the only ones who have been unfaithful, Milo?” I feel a chill creeping up my spine as Aaron’s eyes, his gaze piercing as arrows, meet mine. “How about you and Rija? You pretended it was just an innocent kiss and nothing more, but I heard you moaning his name in your sleep. I know you have feelings for him. And you know what? That’s fine. I get it. I can deal with that. But lying to me? I can’t deal with that.”

The four of us stand, looking at each other, the music filling my very bones.

“Well, well, well,” says Queen Allandra, her voice cutting over the music. We all turn to her and see her give a nod to the violinist who stops playing. As the music dies down I realize, for the first time, the magic filling the air as it fades.

“Magical music,” Piper says quietly. 

“Yes,” says Queen Allandra, “a truth spell of sorts. Much the best way to discover what my allies really have planned for me.”

“You used magic on us without permission?” asks Aaron, though the venom has left his words. I can see the embarrassment burn on his face, on all our faces. These things, while obviously true, are things none of us would have ordinarily said.

“You are within my court,” says Allandra calmly. “I will do as I see fit in the pursuit of safety and freedom of my people.”

She stands and approaches us. Sensing movement, I look at Olivia. Tears streak down her face and, as she nears the door, a sob leaves her throat. 

“Go and deal with your issues,” says the Queen, “then return here. We will discuss Phoebe Dylan and what you can do to help. But know this, Emperor Aaron: while I will gladly accept your aid with Phoebe Dylan, and while it will strengthen our alliance, I will not allow you to annex the Ur’ali. We will stand with you, but we will not stand under you.”

Without another word, Queen Allandra sweeps from the throne room, the door slamming behind her.

*Aaron*

Regret. That’s what I feel in this moment, standing next to Milo and Piper in the throne room of the Southern Tribes. None of this has gone the way I planned. 

“That was certainly some truth spell,” says Piper, and I almost laugh. 

“You really think you chose the wrong allies?” asks Milo, looking at her. A slight pink flushes across her cheeks.

“Sometimes,” she admits. “You guys are chaotic. And I do think you’re becoming a bit power hungry, Aaron.”

I look away from her, but don't answer. My eyes meet Milo’s.

“Do you think the same way?” I ask. His face falls.

“I do,” he says. “It would be different if we had taken a year or two, maybe more, between annexations, but we’re adding countries one after another, and you can barely maintain what we already have. Why are you trying to amass this much power?”

“Because I’m scared,” I say quietly, tears forming in my eyes. “Because I’m terrified of Phoebe. Sultan Aegor was surrounded by Krishan in a fortified palace filled with magical practitioners and Phoebe still got to him. The Red Hand, the Lower Reach, Sandalia, now here. She’s moving so fast, she’s leaving death and destruction in her wake. And I don’t want her to kill me,” I reach my hand out to grab his, but he takes a step back from me. “Or you,” I add, letting my hand fall back to my side.

“Even though I’m just a servant?” he asks softly. I almost feel my heart shatter. 

“I don’t think of you as a servant,” I say, but I know he doesn’t believe me. “The truth spell made me say you were just a servant, once. But Milo, part of my doubt in you is because of you. When you watched over Midoor, you second guessed all of the decisions you made.”

“I was trying. I had barely been king for a month when you left me in charge and before that I was—” just a servant, he doesn’t say.

“I chose you because I love you, yes, but I wouldn’t have left you in charge of Midoor if I didn’t think you could do it.”

“And why have you been cutting me out of everything since we returned? Not telling me about wanting to annex the Ur’ali, not telling me about troop movements?”

“Since that band was put on your wrist, you play with it constantly, tugging at it. You’re upset about Olivia always being with us. I didn’t want to burden you anymore than you already are.”

“I want to be burdened by it,” he says, closing the gap between us. “You’re my husband. I’m the emperor too. Our worries are the same. Let me help you and let me deal with my own issues.”

I smile at him and he smiles back.

“Okay,” I say. “And we need to start communicating properly.”

“Are we going to talk about Rija?” Milo asks, apprehensively.

I look to Piper, who’s been standing apart from us, watching and listening. 

“Later,” I say to Milo. “For now, I’m going to talk to Queen Allandra and offer our help. We don’t need to annex the South—the Ur’ali.”

“Okay,” he says, looking up at me. “I’ll come with you to speak to the Queen.”

“Actually,” I say haltingly, knowing Milo isn’t going to like what I say next, “I think you should talk to Olivia.”

“Do I have to?” he asks. I only nod and he rolls his eyes. 

He looks for a moment like he wants to kiss me, his eyes darting from my lips back to my eyes, but he doesn’t. He turns and follows Olivia out of the throne room as I turn to Piper.

“Is there any way you can figure out where on Isald Phoebe is hiding?” I ask her.

“I think so,” she says. “I can try scrying for her, but she might have protective enchantments. Go talk to the Queen. I’ll get started on finding my sister.”

“You didn’t choose the wrong allies,” I tell her. “We trust you wholeheartedly. I know we seem dysfunctional, but we’re going to stop Phoebe and bring peace to this land, and you’re an invaluable piece of that.”

“That’s the only thing I want,” she says with a smile, “peace.” Then she leaves me in the throne room. 

Though I don’t know what lies beyond the door Queen Allandra left through, I head towards it, but it opens before I can reach it. Ki’laum stands behind it, looking skeptically at me. 

“Take me to the Queen,” I tell him.

Ki’laum leads me through corridor after corridor. All along the walls are depictions of Ur’ali, most of them naked, performing everyday tasks such as cooking, bathing, and gardening, though some depict battles and one I’m sure is of an orgy. We turn a corner and end up in the most bizarre corridor I’ve ever seen. Grass grows from the floor, the walls look like closely-packed trees, their branches growing up to the ceiling, the leaves so tightly packed, I wouldn’t be able to tell if there was an actual ceiling up there.

Ki’laum knocks on a door and I hear Queen Allandra call out something in Ur’alian. He opens the door and gestures me inside, shutting it behind me. 

Queen Allandra’s room is similar to the corridor outside, with grass floors, though I can see a gold ceiling high above. Trees grow here and there, right through the floor, though they do not have branches or leaves.

“I’m in here, Aaron,” says Queen Allandra. I follow her voice into a bathroom off the side of her bedroom and find her lounging in what I would call a hot tub, though it looks like a large stump of a tree, hollowed out. Queen Allandra is completely naked, her breasts visible above the churning water. She laughs when I turn away. 

“There is no need to be shy,” she says. Hesitantly, I turn to face her.

“At least with me being gay, you know I’m not looking at you out of desire,” I say.

“Even if you were, I would not mind. The Ur’ali do not see nakedness as something shameful, something to be hidden.”

Queen Allandra stands in the tub and moves toward the edge, incanting as she does. The water slicks off her body and slides into the water, leaving her dry as she stands before me.

“I am afraid you will have to disrobe as well,” she says, eyes trailing down my body. “If you prefer, we can wait until Milo has joined us. I have sent for him to come to us when he has finished his discussion with Olivia.”

“If it’s alright with you, Your Majesty, I’d prefer to keep my clothing on.”

“Please, call me Allandra. There’s no need for formality. You are not my emperor, and you are within my kingdom. We are equals. As for allowing you to remain clothed, I cannot allow this. When we speak of terms of politics, we show our entire selves to one another. It is not sexual or romantic in nature, it is just our ways.”

“Given things that have happened in our past, I think I’ll wait for Milo,” I say.

“Then come join me in my sunroom for some fresh air.”

*Milo*

It doesn’t take me long to find Olivia. Once I leave the front doors of the palace, I see a large group of Ur’ali, men and women alike, surrounding her by the bannister that looks over the city. As I approach, I catch part of what one man is saying to her.

“...to determine the sex of the baby? It is a quick process,” he says.

“I would like that,” says Olivia. “I’m hoping for a girl but, of course, Aaron wants a boy.”

“Your husband is like most men,” says one of the women. Though there’s no way she could possibly know Aaron is my husband, I feel a pang of anger at the insinuation.

“He’s not my husband,” she says. “He—”

“He’s my husband,” I say, cutting off her words. The Ur’ali turn to me, but they don’t show surprise or questioning. They simply accept it.

“Can I touch the Goddess’s Garden?” a little boy asks, pointing at Olivia’s stomach.

“If you’d like to,” she says. The boy places his hand on the bump in Olivia’s stomach and let’s out a soft, “Wow.”

“Alright, everyone, I appreciate you all talking to me, but I think I need to speak with Emperor Milo alone.”

None of them seems to care about my title of “emperor” as they scurry away, all of them chattering excitedly about new life coming into the world. I join Olivia and look down to the ground, hundreds of feet below us.

I expect Olivia to blow up at me again, but all she says is, “Goddess’s Garden?”

“The Ur’ali believe pregnancy is the Goddess Earth’s way of seeing new life,” I explain. “A woman’s womb is the Goddess’s Garden, where new life grows and prepares itself for this world.”

“I think that’s beautiful,” she says. We stand in silence for several moments, neither of us seemingly wanting to break it.

“I’m sorry,” she says suddenly. “I’m sorry about sleeping with Aaron, though I swear, Milo, I was tricked. I’m sorry for shouting at you back there. And I’m sorry for trying to be your friend when you clearly want nothing to do with me.”

I don’t say it, but she’s right. I don’t want anything to do with her. I don’t want anything to do with the baby. The anger I feel toward both of them is so strong, I can barely stand it. I know it’s stupid to hate the baby when it’s done nothing wrong. But to me, it’s a symbol of how Aaron and I will never be able to have a true family. But I also know that hating Olivia will do nothing. A world where she doesn’t exist in our lives doesn’t exist anymore.

“I think I just need some time,” I say. “I am sorry for how I’ve been treating you. I just—”

“You don’t have to explain, Milo,” she says, cutting me off. “I get it. I really, really do. If I were married and my husband impregnated another woman, even in a similar circumstance between Aaron and myself, I’d hate her. If you were her, standing beside me right now, I’d want to push her off this balcony.”

I smile at her against my will, wondering if she knows I’ve imagined that several times since we’ve been standing here.

“I wouldn’t do that, of course,” she says. “And I hope you won’t, either.”

“Oh, Aaron would never forgive me for killing his kid,” I say. “So you’re at least safe until the birth.”

She chuckles and says, “Thank the gods for that.”

“I don’t think we’ll become friends overnight,” I say, “but I’m willing to at least try. You’re a part of our lives now, just as much as that nu’iun ata Arthen Hij Lilna.” When she scrunches up her face in confusion, I translate the Ur’alian to, “The seed in the Goddess’s Garden.”

“Emperor Milo?” comes a voice from behind me. I turn and find Ki’laum watching us. “You’re expected in the Queen’s chambers. Your husband is already there.”

“You better go,” says Olivia. “But, before you do, would you like to touch nu’iun ata Arthen Hij Lilna?” I’m impressed at how she said it, so close to correct, I reach out and place my hand on the bump. There’s a strange warmth coming from the hard, stretched skin. And as I touch the spot where Aaron’s child grows, I think that maybe I don’t hate the baby so much after all.

When I arrive at Queen Allandra’s bedroom, I’m instructed to enter by Ki’laum. I think her room is beautiful, like a strange mix between forest and inside. 

“Aaron?” I call out and hear his answer from an open door to my right. I follow it and enter to find Aaron sitting on softwood loveseat with plush cushions and Queen Allandra sitting across from him, completely naked, her legs spread slightly to give full view to her womanhood. I avert my eyes as I cross into the middle of the sun room, a domed room made almost entirely of glass that overlooks the forest below, and sit beside Aaron.

“So Allandra is naked because—”

“I know their customs, Aaron,” I say, cutting him off. “Are we discussing strengthening our alliance, Your Majesty?” I add, addressing Queen Allandra.

“We are,” she says. “And, please, just Allandra.”

“Very well,” I say, standing and beginning to pull my clothes off. When just my underwear is left, I look to Aaron who’s been sitting on the loveseat, dumbfounded. When I finally pull my underwear off, kicking it to the side with the rest of my clothing, Aaron stands up and undresses too. Allandra’s eyes slide over our bodies as if appraising them.

“It’s too bad you both only prefer the company of men,” she says wistfully. “You’re both such handsome servants of the Goddess.”

“Right,” says Aaron uncomfortably. He sits and almost appears as though he wants to cover himself, but follows my lead, sitting with his arms away from his body, letting himself show. Ur’ali customs say attempts to hide yourself shows dishonesty.

“Phoebe Dylan is murdering my subjects,” Allandra says without preamble. “She is using her magic to transform creatures in the forest into beasts. My people are forced to defend themselves, fighting the beasts and killing them.”

“So, your people are winning against her?” asks Aaron. “Why did you call for us?”

“Not all of my people are faring well against the beasts. Many of them are being slaughtered.” Allandra says this as though her own children are dying. “But this isn’t the worst of it. Any Ur’ali who kills three beasts suddenly vanishes shortly after their third kill. From what we can ascertain, there is no pattern between those who vanish, other than killing three beasts.”

Aaron cocks his head slightly, lost in thought. His eyes are directed at Allandra’s breasts, but not as though he really sees them, it’s as if he’s looking past Allandra.

“Are you okay?” I ask him. He turns to me, his eyes still out of focus.

“She’s killing warriors,” he says. His eyes focus on me at last and he continues, “In Sandalia, the women in the Chariot were all trained to be fighters, then slaughtered. Even the woman who was supposed to win in the last three Chariots were killed. In the war she orchestrated between Midoor and the Lower Reach, only soldiers were killed. Some civilian casualties, true, but mostly soldiers. Now here, she’s taking warriors who showed themselves in combat against her beasts.”

“Have the bodies of any of those who were killed by the beasts taken?” he asks Allandra. 

She thinks for a moment. “I believe a few. Some who were strong warriors, but were still overcome by the beasts.”

“Can either of you think of why she would do that?” he asks us both. We both shake our heads.

“If I were to hazard a guess,” says Allandra, “she must be doing it for some dark magic. There is nothing in Ur’ali magic that would be accomplished by so much death.”

“Except Urgot Delisha,” I say. Allandra hisses at me like a cat.

“What is…what is that?” asks Aaron, clearly surprised by Allandra’s reaction.

“It’s druid magic,” I explain. “Piper told me about it. You kill a bunch of people, collect their blood, and use it to curse the Earth itself. Anyone that steps within the cursed area dies immediately, strengthening the curse and spreading the area. If the curse isn’t broken, it will consume the planet.”

“That must be what she’s up to,” says Aaron.

“It can’t be,” comes a voice from the door. I turn and find Piper standing there. From her perspective, she can see that Allandra is naked, but won’t be able to see us. She moves into the room, glancing at us as she moves closer to Allandra, then does a double take when she realizes we’re naked. 

“Why are you—”

“Ur’ali custom,” I say, forestalling her question. 

“Do I have to take my clothes off as well?” she asks Allandra.

“Are you a Theo official of some kind?”

“Piper is our Empirical Advisor of Magical Affairs,” says Aaron.

“Then, yes. If you are to speak of matters concerning our two territories, I would like to see the truth of you.”

Piper seems wholly unabashed as she removes her clothing. I know she’s older than she looks, but I had expected there to be some signs of aging on her body. However, her skin is porcelain perfect, smooth and unblemished. She takes the chair beside Allandra.

“Why do you say it can’t be the unspeakable magic?” asks Allandra.

“Phoebe isn’t a druid. Her magic is primarily elemental.”

“Isn’t the Earth part of the elements?” asks Aaron.

“Yes,” I answer, “but druids don’t practice earth elemental magic. They practice nature magic. There’s a small difference, but there is one. The magical elements are air, water, fire, earth, ice, energy, light, and darkness. I’m an energy elemental, which is why I can produce lightning.”

“Or you could if that binding cuff were not around your wrist,” says Allandra, glancing at the golden cuff on my arm. “A gift from Phoebe, I presume?”

“Yes,” I say, distracted from our conversation. “Do you know how to remove it by chance? We’ve been unsuccessful.”

“Magic is a gift from the Goddess,” says Allandra. “We do not bind it, therefore we do not know how to unbind it.”

“So if Phoebe isn’t using the unspeakable magic, why is she killing these warriors?” Aaron quickly explains his theory to Piper, though she has no idea why Phoebe would be targeting warriors either. We all sit in silence for several moments before it’s broken by Allandra.

“So, will you help me and my people?” she asks, looking between Aaron and myself. “In return, I will aid the Empire of Theo in your future battles against the witch. I will also give you the Blade of All.”

Piper lets out a gasp, though Aaron and I are nonplussed.

“What’s the Blade of All?” asks Aaron.

“It’s the strongest blade in the world,” says Piper in awe. “It can cut through almost any material and can even deflect magic.”

“If it’s that powerful, why don’t you use it against Phoebe?” asks Aaron.

“We were entrusted with the blade by the Goddess Earth centuries ago,” says Allandra, “but were instructed to never wield it. We are its keepers, destined to hand it off. I, as the mouthpiece of the Goddess, have chosen you to bear its responsibility.”

“What if you gave it to us now?” asks Piper. “We could use it to stop Phoebe from hurting your people.”

“Only after a great service rendered can the blade be handed off,” says Allandra.

“Then we’d better get started,” says Aaron, standing up. Both women’s eyes snap to his crotch, though Piper looks away almost instantly. Allandra’s eyes linger on it, then slowly slide up his body, almost examining his abs, before she looks him full in the face.

“Then I shall await your return,” says Allandra. She places her hand on her crotch and starts rubbing back and forth, her eyes raking over Aaron’s body. I have no doubt as to what she’s imagining as she pleasures herself.

Aaron, Piper, and I gather our clothing and take them into her room where we dress, trying to ignore the sounds of Allandra’s soft moaning.

“That was very weird,” says Aaron, glancing back at the sunroom. Then he asks Piper, “Did you find out where Phoebe is?”

“I did,” she says. “She is on Isald. I was able to scry for her magic and discovered a section of forest there, near the northern edge of the island.”

“Good. We’ll rest in the city until our soldiers arrive, then we’ll head there straight away.”

“I think we should leave Olivia here,” I say.

“Milo—” says Aaron in a warning voice. 

“Not because of that reason,” I assure him, “for her and the baby’s safety. Phoebe hasn’t been able to enter Kr’fait. She’ll be safe here.”

He nods to me and we all look back at the sunroom as Allandra lets out a loud moan.

“Let’s get the fuck out of here,” whispers Aaron. Piper and I nod and we all head for the door.