Page 70 of Storms of His Wrath

Naya nodded, the responsibility settling around her. Everything they’d worked toward—the alliance, the solution to the storm, the future of both communities—now hinged on bringing Akoro and Oshrun together.

She hurried through the canyon passages, her mind already racing with thoughts on how best to present this to Akoro and his small council. Time was running out, and the most crucial conversation of their alliance was about to begin.

Naya emerged from the shifting sands to find Akoro standing with Oppo and Nrommo near the center of their camp, the three men engaged in what appeared to be a serious discussion. Maps were spread across a makeshift table, and Nrommo was pointing to various locations with the focused intensity she’d come to associate with military planning.

The sight of Akoro made her chest tighten. He stood with the unconscious grace of a born ruler, his dark hair catching the harsh desert light, the flowing lines of his robes emphasizing the powerful frame beneath. Even from a distance, she could see the coiled strength in his posture, the way he commanded attention without effort.

All three looked up as she approached, and Akoro’s expression immediately shifted to alert concern. “You’re back early,” he said, moving toward her. “What happened?”

His voice sent warmth through her, though it was rough with worry.

“The assembly has agreed to support the plan,” Naya said, “but Oshrun wants to meet with you immediately. All of you. She needs to judge your characters before she’ll commit her people to trusting the binding curse.”

Akoro glanced at Oppo and translated quickly. Oppo went very still, his face paling slightly.

“When?” Akoro asked.

“Now. She says this meeting will determine whether your people can truly trust each other going forward.”

Nrommo stepped forward, his thick features creased with concern. “Our diplomat isn’t here. Prillu is in Onn Kkulma. We have no one trained in formal negotiations.”

“She doesn’t want diplomacy,” Naya said. “She wants to speak with the king and to judge for herself.”

Akoro nodded once, a sharp movement that settled the matter. His dark eyes held unwavering resolve. “As she should. This isn’t a situation for diplomatic protocols. This is ruler to ruler.”

“Nrommo,” Naya said, addressing the battle chief directly. He’d been wary of her since they first met, but now that she’d spent more time with him, less as a prisoner and more as an equal, she’d come to understand why Akoro placed him as his general. In the weeks planning for the storm, she could see the nuance of his demeanor. “I need you to understand something. These Omegas have spent generations hiding from Alpha aggression. Any sign of hostility will destroy the alliance before it begins.”

The battle chief nodded curtly. “I understand the stakes, princess.”

“I’m not sure you do. You haven’t known Omegas; they will sense any hostility immediately. Just remember, they’re offering partnership, not surrender,” Naya said. “They have the power to destroy every magical tool in Tsashokra, but instead they’re choosing to help you. Treat them like the valuable allies they could become.”

Nrommo released a long breath. “I can do that,” he said firmly.

She turned to Oppo, her expression softening. “And you—you’re about to see Oshrun in her role as Khesh for the first time. She’s not just your mate, she’s a leader who’s kept her people safe for years. Respect that.”

Akoro translated and Oppo swallowed hard but nodded.

Akoro stepped forward, his dark eyes moving between his two council members. “Are we ready?”

Both men squared their shoulders, visible effort composing themselves for what lay ahead.

“Then let’s go meet the Omegas,” Akoro said.

As they prepared to enter the canyon, Naya caught Akoro’s arm. The moment her fingers touched his skin, electricity shot through her. He turned to her immediately, his full attention focused on her face.

“This matters more than anything we’ve done,” she said quietly. “Everything depends on this meeting.”

His hand covered hers, large and warm. “Then we’ll make it work,” he said simply, his thumb brushing across her knuckles. “Together.”

The certainty in his voice, the absolute conviction, made her believe that perhaps they really could save them all.

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

The morning sun blazed overhead as Akoro led their small group across the final stretch of desert toward the hidden canyon. Sand crunched beneath their boots with each step, and despite the early hour, the heat was radiating up from the ground in waves that distorted the horizon. Sweat gathered beneath his travel leathers, but his attention remained fixed on the woman walking beside him.

Naya moved with fluid grace across the shifting terrain, her earth-toned clothing clinging to curves that never failed to stir his blood. The protective magic surrounding her had expanded to encompass their group, creating a bubble of stability in the treacherous Isshiran Sands. But it was more than magical protection that drew his gaze, it was the way she looked in the morning light, the determined glint in her eyes, the easy manner with which she navigated terrain that would have claimed lesser travelers.

Everything hinged on this meeting. The alliance, the storm, the future of both their peoples—all of it would be determined by how well he could convince the Omega leader that he was worth trusting. The irony wasn’t lost on him that after years of absoluteauthority, his fate now rested in the hands of women his family had once enslaved.

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