Nash and I stood together in the bathroom of our apartment while everyone waited in the living room. He spoke to me in a hushed voice.

"Do you think any of them will help?" he asked.

I wiped my face and dropped the towel onto the counter. "I don't know. The Flatlander Prophet was not very receptive. My next visits weren't much better. I wasn't exactly welcomed warmly by the fjellfolk in the mountains or anyone in the coast. Skia Hellig has always been divided. But Gael said that he is willing to help bring warriors through portals if Lote ends up in our world. I don't feel optimistic after reaching out to them."

"They could double cross us even if they agree."

"It seems almost as likely that they would join Lote as it does that they would join us. If I could explain the situation to them, they would see they need to help us. I have no doubt Lote would take over all of Skia Hellig."

"I at least was able to introduce myself as the Prophet and let them know that things are different now. We aren't tolerating attacks and we're figuring out our shit." I turned around and leaned against the counter, making a face like I'd eaten something sour. "I really don't like the sound of that. Prophet."

He folded his arms around me. "I'm sure you could pick another title."

"I don't think I'll like any of them."

"I'm proud of you." He squeezed me. "I really am."

"We said we wanted more time with our family and then I did this."

"I know. I told you to do this, remember?" He held my arms, giving me a squeeze. "This is what needs to happen. The order in the Valley will lead to peace and stability. We're on our way to a better future."

"I hope." I stood on my toes and kissed him. "Thank you for believing me and for not resenting me when you wanted to do more."

"I would never resent you for my own weakness."

"It's not weakness, Nash. You're the strongest person I know."

He brushed my hair back and smiled. "I will be soon. You better watch out, Sharpshooter."

I chuckled, already looking forward to days of training with him now that he had power. "We have to be careful then. We can't make it this far and lose. We can't die."

"No. No dying."

"I guess it's about time to go then, isn't it?" His amber eyes drew me in and I wanted to promise that soon we'd have our life together. It just felt so far away.

I opened the door and returned to where everyone waited for us in the living room.

"We think it's best that we keep the group small," Ashton said. "The king will be jarred having us suddenly appear. It's the only way to keep the news from getting out though."

"That sounds good to me," I said.

Jax smirked. "I heard that while we were sitting here snooping through your apartment, you took over an entire kingdom. I'm not impressed at all."

My cheeks felt warm. "I'm afraid of what I've just gotten myself into."

"You're exactly what they need," Elias said. "Everyone can see it."

Ashton smirked and then bit her lip. "We also saw the child's room. Leif told us about Elsie."

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I looked over to Jax to see how he would handle figuring out that another version of himself had a child.

"I can't digest any of this," Jax said. "I've given up on even trying. It sounds great, though. Having a daughter. I can't imagine."

"She's the greatest honor and joy of our life."

The way Nash said our made me want to beam with joy. The last year could have torn apart the freshly budding love between us. Instead, through all the impossible battles, we'd grown closer together.

I had so much to fight for. To live for.

"We have to make it home safely," I said. "Let's go."

----------------------------------------

This week, we had revealed ourselves to so many people that I'd managed to become bored with the inevitable disoriented reaction to learning that there were multiple worlds just like ours.

Interestingly, Ashton's king had adjusted to the bizarre reality faster than anyone else had. When we'd appeared outside of the court, it had alarmed the guards, but because of the reputation of Elias, Jax, and Ashton, the king had been willing to see us.

"I hope you realize that revealing all of this to you places my world in an extremely vulnerable position," I told the king. "We love our Valley just like you do here and we will fight for our people to be safe. I sincerely hope that we can work together on a safe agreement that honors both of our worlds."

He crossed one leg over the other, his hands clasped tightly. "I absolutely have no interest in harming this valley in any world. You're a sister kingdom to us. A twin. Anyone from this valley who would hurt you is a traitor to our kingdom. I won't stand for it."

Hope fluttered inside of me that maybe we really could find a resolution. I'd laid the groundwork at home for a road to peace, even if it happened to be the most overwhelming and scary thing I'd ever had to take on. How were we supposed to create and run a kingdom? But the kindness and the genuine camaraderie I felt from the king eased my deep fears about this world.

"Your highness," I said. "There's a reason that we're so concerned for the safety of our Valley. Elias came just as an observer for a long time. He wanted to bring knowledge to your kingdom that could help you. But not everyone feels the way he does."

The king leaned forward. "Who else knows about this?"

"It's my guild, your highness." Elias dipped his head. "Lote and his closest confidantes realized I was traveling worlds. He wants to take resources from Max's world to enrich our guild."

"Why have I heard nothing about this?"

"I've kept it a secret, your highness, because I saw problems in my guild and I felt that I needed a plan before telling anyone. Their reasons for keeping secrets are more nefarious."

The king raised his fist to his mouth and averted his gaze to his advisor. "What, exactly, is Lote doing? Don't mince your words."

Ashton surprised me by speaking before Elias could. "Lote has been hoarding resources and secretly developing technology without telling anyone else in the guild. He has sabotaged our guild and blamed it on the Silver Moon Guild to stoke tension between us." She looked to Elias now with teary eyes. "He covered up his crimes by killing Elias's parents when they learned the truth."

The king jumped to his feet and stomped down the stairs. "Bring him to me at once!"

"Your highness," his advisor said.

"This man is a traitor and as soon as the evidence is gathered, we'll have a hearing. He will be jailed immediately.

"Your highness," the advisor repeated. "Lote is very powerful. His guild will fight against this."

I pitied the king in that moment to see his authority collide with the reality of how much power the guilds carried. "What are you saying?" the king asked in a steely voice.

"We should talk before we make any moves."

"I can't stand for this. I knew Elias's parents."

"We'll deal with Lote. That is certain. But let's talk about how to do it in a way that does not lead to war or jeopardize you."

The realization that it could be the king, rather than Lote, being ousted seemed to settle over the man. He turned back toward Elias with heartbreak gripping his expression. "I'm so sorry this happened. I need to see your evidence, but I know your family, and I trust that you have it."

"I do, your highness."

The king looked to me now. "You were right to bring this to me so that we can discuss as leaders. It would be a wonderful thing for us to share knowledge with each other and if we wanted to share resources as well, that would only help us. But I never want your kingdom to be in danger."

I walked closer. "Thank you, your highness. I can't tell you how reassuring it is to hear that."

"I don't believe that we're made stronger by subjugating those who are weaker. It only invites problems to our doorstep. This must stay a secret. Your instincts were right."

He settled back against his throne and tapped the arm rests several times. "If we take this problem to the guild leaders, it gives them time to prepare. We should take Lote into custody first to show how serious we are and then work toward peace with the others."

His advisor looked uncertain. "We can bind Lote's power while he's here. Summoning him suddenly to the court may set off alarm bells for his co-conspirators."

"We cannot ask for permission to jail our traitors. If we want to be strong, then we must be strong. I want Lote here at once."