The blood racing beneath Lunelle’s skin seemed to freeze its currents. No deal with Selenia would be worth it—the gods were never fair to bargain with. She kneeled before her sister, searching her eyes.
“What did you do, Astra?”
“She wants me to go to the Court Below with you and Arcas to retrieve something for her,” Astra said—the veneer of this being just another night flickered slightly, a tick in Astra’s jaw giving her away. “And Mirq,” she added.
Lunelle pitched forward, her hands landing on her sister’s knees as her head swirled.
“Mirquios?” she asked, unsure if she’d heard correctly.
“In exchange for my help, Selenia will nominate Mirquios as a champion.”
The room blurred around her. “What—Astra. No. No!” This had gone far enough already—there was no way Lunelle could allow her to make such a trade on her behalf.
“Lu, it’s the solution we’ve been looking for. If Selenia nominates Mirquios, no one can argue. Not Mother. Not Arcas. It will be seen as a formal decision of the gods.”
Astra’s words did not soothe Lunelle’s tense muscles.
“It’s too dangerous!”
“You’ll both be there with me,” Astra insisted. “When I’m not knocked unconscious by an Ascended god, I actually handle myself quite well.”
This sister of hers—she did not know what she was committing to. She did not understand what she was possibly giving up.
For her.
Lunelle pulled her sister into another hug, this one much deeper, much harder to let go of.
“I do not deserve a sister like you.”
She whispered the words against Astra’s neck, praying they’d absorb into her bloodstream and be worth something, though they’d never be enough compared to Astra’s own sacrifice. The king’s swift glance to Luxuros pulled her attention. The commander’s lips fell into a frustrated tilt.
Lunelle leaned back on her heels. “What does she want you to retrieve?”
Astra pressed her lips together, the answer bubbling to her tongue but reluctant to escape.
“Leona.”
The air left Lunelle’s lungs. “As?—”
“I know it sounds crazy! But she wants to make amends. Leona has never Ascended. Selenia believes that there’s been a misunderstanding.”
Luxuros crossed his arms, his shoulders pulling together with a lightning bolt of tension. He’d never forgive her if Astra got hurt.
And she understood.
“She can do it,” Mirquios said to him. “If anyone can do it, it’s Astra.”
Ameera leaned forward, her sharp features drawn together.
“And there’s no catch? You bring her Leona’s Soul and she’ll leave it at that?”
Tears threatened to spill from Lunelle’s eyes.
Astra sighed, waving her hand between them.
“There’s always a catch. I just haven’t figured it out yet. But until then, I have her word. She’s going to crash your Trial Ball and announce it.”
Lunelle giggled nervously, it was the only sound she could make in response to the image Astra’s words conjured.
