For two miserable days, we debated and argued with each other over major issues such as the boundaries of our land to the most minor wording in the draft of our agreement. While I did not foresee anything we did to lead to cooperation or peace in the near future, it did provide a starting point for all of us to trust one another. Though we couldn't be further from trust.

Theus abandoned the talks for over twelve hours in his fit over the boundaries that all of the rulers except for him agreed on about the boundaries of my kingdom. When he said he refused to agree, all of the Prophets stood together to say that we would all consider him our common enemy. When he finally returned, he said that he could not accept the boundaries but that he agreed to continue with the summit for now. I refused to remove the boundaries of my kingdom from the discussion, though, because if I ever did kill Theus, I wanted to gain the support of the other Prophets.

"If any member breaks a single line of this agreement," Piercey said, "they void every line for themselves and are no longer a part of our agreement. They lose the truces and privileges we've agreed upon together. So consider carefully before you betray the new laws of Skia Hellig."

None of us wanted to forbid war between the kingdoms because such promises could not be kept. We all knew that and refused to limit ourselves in such a way. Instead, we focused our efforts on boundaries for war, like not poisoning innocent people or stealing land from each other.

I wasn't sure how this experiment would work out but I did feel confident the gods must have been enjoying this show.

As Piercey continued to speak, the large doors of the temple opened and light poured in from the outside. Though I sensed no power, I did feel something else. Eyes on me. Turning slowly, I saw three figures in the doorway eclipsing the sun.

As they walked forward, dozens of others filed in behind them. Soon, I made out an image that turned my blood cold.

A powerful Prophet from beyond the Skia Hellig Peninsula.

Our neighbors north of the peninsula rarely ventured into our lands except for trading. Some attacked or stole resources during opportunistic time. The shadow of war had crossed between our lands more than once without actually breaking out. But I knew this man, even though we'd only spoken twice. I knew him from the reports of our most trusted spies and from staring him down in the battlefield the one time he marched an army almost to my land.

Two other rulers walked beside him.

My heart pounded in sync with the footsteps of the three rulers from beyond the peninsula. The rest of their people spread out around the edges of the assembly.

"Good day to all the wonderful people of the Skia Hellig Peninsula. There is nothing quite like the sight of the ocean and the fjords here on the coast. What a beautiful land."

Every word wound around my heart like a tight chord until I could barely breathe. The three walked directly into the center of the temple.

"We love that you are finally talking." He touched his hand to his heart and gave a friendly smile. "It really is wonderful to see. We could not resist joining, because we've been wanting to talk with you all as well."

One by one, all of the Prophets and our most powerful warriors stood. I did so last, taking my time to study him before moving a muscle. With my muscles clenched, I teleported a few feet away from him, standing between him and my people. His eyes found mine and beneath that warm smile, I saw nothing in his eyes. No emotion, no fear, no malice. Just nothing.

"Eclipse."

The other Prophets didn't approach, though several warriors did. Nash slid right beside me, his arm brushing mine.

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"You were not invited here," I said.

"I needed an invitation?" He looked at the rulers beside him and then chuckled. "That's embarrassing. Did everyone here receive one? Were they written? I thought you wanted to hear from everyone who desired peace for their lands."

"No," I said, offering nothing further.

He eyed me, chuckling lightheartedly again. "Well, I hope you'll consider allowing me to join."

I tilted my head, holding his eyes for several seconds. "No."

His expression betrayed no frustration or annoyance. With a sigh, he shrugged. "That's too bad. I suppose we should leave then."

"I suppose so."

"If we aren't invited to the peace talks and we do leave, how do we go about declaring our peace? Or are we obligated to remain at war forever?"

"We aren't at war. There's no need for peace talks."

"Maybe this is where the misunderstanding is." He took one single step closer, his attention seeming to narrow down to me, no longer casting any glances to anyone else. "We are not at peace, Eclipse. Not when you bring so much attention to our region and haven't had the decency to make any kind of arrangements with us."

I stepped forward now as well, quietly waiting for him to continue, because I refused to take his bait.

After several more seconds of quiet, he seemed to accept my declination to speak. "You are war, dear Prophet. You warred against the gods of our world. How can you claim any peace?"

The cold of the ocean this morning crawled back into my bones.

The twitch of his smile told me I'd given away my feelings. I hated that I could be so obvious with how I felt. "Oh, you thought no one cared that you jeopardized our entire planet with your whims? You thought you could attack the gods who could end our world with a snap of their fingers and we'd just forget about it?"

"It sounds like your issue is with me, not the rest of Skia Hellig."

Suddenly his friendly voice deepened into a guttural roar. "Skia Hellig belongs to you." He jerked forward, stopping within an inch of me. Nash slammed his shoulder into the man's chest, forcing him back a step. The two men locked eyes for only a second before the ruler looked at me again. "Your people will answer for your decisions. So tell me if we are to have peace. I can wait no longer to find out."

I walked up close until I looked up into the rulers eyes and I tugged Nash back to my side. "Do you know what I'm hearing?"

Where I saw nothing in his eyes before, I now saw burning fire. "I would love to find out."

"I'm hearing excuses." I placed one finger against his chest and shoved him back a step with my power. "Excuse after fucking excuse to drag my kingdom into war. Tell me what you really want. Don't hide behind your words."

"Whether you want Skia Hellig or not is meaningless. These peace talks are the first step to you taking the entire peninsula and none of you can see it. Look around. Do you see anyone else talking?" He leaned down, speaking only to me. "It's your kingdom and mine. We are the true rulers of our land."

"I'm not taking over the other kingdoms."

He uttered an amused laugh. "And I am here to talk peace."

I narrowed my eyes.

"Creating your kingdom kept you occupied. Your ascension scared off your enemies for a time. Sooner or later, the next enemy will come, or the next war. As long as you're here in Skia Hellig, you'll bring death to us all. I fear as long as you live you'll bring death to our world. I'm not waiting to see what you do next." His nostrils flared. "So talk peace with me, Eclipse. Convince me arrangements can be made."

"Or what?"

"Or we stop pretending there's any peace to be had."

He backed up and the two other rulers followed like he controlled their bodies as he did his own. Our sources from beyond the peninsula told us of the power he held over the other rulers, but I didn't understand how severely.

He looked to the other Prophets now. "Do any of you have anything to say or do you let Eclipse speak for you?"

Theus only watched from the protection of his disciples. The Fjellfolk Prophet crossed his arms and then walked a few feet closer. "I believe she spoke what we all are thinking. No one invited you."

The coastal Prophet who hosted this meeting surprised me by saying nothing. I didn't see any cowardice in here and it didn't appear she had nothing to say. No, she looked full of thoughts and considerations.

She simply chose not to show her hand.

I looked up at Nash as his concerned eyes met mine.

"I think that was a declaration of war," I whispered after the rulers began to walk away.