Page 33 of Sins of His Wrath

Akoro’s dark expression didn’t change. “Is that why you think anything you say will make a difference?”

She didn’t answer. Instead, she slowly turned to face the Lox, her eyes flicking along the row of furious and bewildered faced. Even with that, they stood tall, ready to do as she commanded. Papa was the most annoyed, his chest heaving with fury.

Reaching out, Naya released the wall of magic, holding them back, dispersing it back into the air.

The Lox did not move. They watched her for their next command—still, ready. But the important reaction, the one she was worried about, was Papa’s. Thankfully, the moment the magic disappeared, he straightened, his eyes locked onto her, a hand on the hilt of his sword. But he was still. He didn’t charge forward in anger or direct the army or yell out at her. He was waiting for her instruction too, as much as it had to be difficult for him.

He held her eye and nodded in support and understanding. She was the one in charge, and he would follow her direction.

Naya drew on the swirling magic in the air around them, shaping it into a glistening cocoon of golden magic that dampened their voices. This was a negotiation between two rulers, and she didn’t need Nrommo, or anyone else interfering.

She lifted her chin, steeling herself for what she was about to say. The safety of her family and the fate of the entire empire rested on this conversation. “I can solve your wild magic problem,” she said evenly. “I’ll neutralize it and eliminate it entirely so your people never have to suffer or fear it again. You’ll be able to live in peace.”

Akoro’s stare was unrelenting. “You drew that magic directly into our city. People have already died.”

“That wasn’t intentional. And you’re not blameless for what happened.” She took a step forward. “What did you think would happen when you kidnapped and tortured a ruler from another land?”

His mouth tightened. “This all started with an attack byyourempire. None of this was instigated by us.”

Naya inhaled slowly. “I’m still investigating that. But I’m offering help. You’ll be able to give your people a life that?—”

“You have no idea what my people need.” His voice was tight and determined. “I promised them a new, green land, and that is what they’re going to get.”

Near glared at him, battling the sharp spike of irritation. His belligerent attitude wasn’t going to help them come to any kind of arrangement, but he was angry. She had to get him past that. “If you refuse to listen, we can begin our war, but without the strength of your full army, you won’t hold an advantage. Eventually, you will be decimated—so will I. There is no true victory in a war like this.”

His jaw remained locked, but he was listening.

Naya pushed forward. “It could last for decades, long past our deaths. Your people will keep transporting soldiers here and we will keep drafting many young Alphas into the Lox from our allies. In the meantime, our cities, our people, our societies will both suffer; economically, culturally, and politically.” She arched a brow. “I’m sure you have adversaries who would love to exploit your weakened city while you’re bleeding soldiers here. Eventually, the reasons we’re fighting will be become a rumor—pointless and insignificant to the survivors except for how hard their lives are because of it. That will be both of our legacies.”

Akoro’s expression was unreadable, but his gaze shifted—not to her, not to her warriors, but to something distant. Something in her words had gotten through his barriers.

“So instead,” she continued, “I’m offering to come to your land and fix the magic problem myself. I’ll ensure your people never suffer from wild magic attacks again. No more instability. No more fear. Are you saying you don’t want that?”

Akoro’s brows inched down and she expected the next word he spat out to be a resounding no. “You’re offering to come to my land again?”

“Yes.”

To her surprise, Akoro didn’t lash out, didn’t throw back an immediate refusal. He just stared at her, his expression unreadable.

Naya waited, hoping he could see the logic in her argument. By every measure, she had every right to fight—to defend her empire after he had taken her without cause. Her people had never harmed his. She hadn’t even known he existed. But revenge wasn’t in her people’s best interest. They could fight just as fiercely as his warriors, but a war of this scale would cause the empire severe harm. It would leave them vulnerable, their strength shattered. And she had already failed her people before when they begged for her help and she had refused. She wouldn’t fail them again with the hardship of an ongoing war.

Finally, Akoro lowered his gaze back to hers. His fury had ebbed, but his expression was still unreadable. “What makes you think you can neutralize the magic?”

“I used it to escape, and I’m still alive.”

Akoro didn’t look convinced.

“I’ve learned more since then,” she added. “I can connect with the magic in a way I couldn’t before—a more powerful way. There are things I can try.”

His arms folded across his broad chest, skepticism carved into every line of his face. “That’s not a guarantee.”

“It’s not,” Naya admitted. She took a breath. “Which is why I propose we form an agreement—an alliance. We work together to solve this problem.”

Akoro’s eyes hardened. “An alliance?”

“The way we do it here is as a contract. My administrator will write up the terms we agree on—along with any additional conditions we both require. Then she’ll sign it as a witness and one of your people does the same. Any demand set in the contract must be upheld or the agreement is void. For example, one of my requests is that I’m not harmed while I’m there. I also don’t want to be touched, and my Omega signals will be blocked at all times.”

Akoro’s nose flared, and his jaw hardened. His dark eyes lowered down her body. “Are you blocked now?”

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