I don't think it's a coincidence that Celindria buried the Pretiosum Cruor in that tower. The same tower with the Imminent mark. I'm still not sure how or when she became involved with them. But I can promise you, if she joined them then that woman leads them. That is her way.

Much as it is yours. Much as it is mine. As leaders, we can't help ourselves.

On the day of my coronation, every merchant and pirate we engaged on the road to Cinder's salvation joined the festivities. Parades of people celebrated Umbra's death, and my rise to ruling Icarean kind. Even Xelan floated up from his labs for snacks. Though he mostly enjoyed Korac's company and dance. I suspected--

My insides wrenched and twisted. I doubled over in pain. Fortunately, I was alone on the platform. Or so I thought.

"Boy, you have come so far." The Physician congratulated me.

The pain let up, and I could breathe without spitting. I tried twice to speak, "Bold, Primary. Why--How are you here?"

"I would never miss my protege's coronation. What a fine affair, indeed. The people look so happy. Too bad they have no idea how much worse you are than your father."

I lunged for him, but then the pain came again. I fell to my knees at his feet.

"Kiss my foot while down there, like a good boy." He wasn't mocking me. His tone was quite serious.

The more I fought, the more my nose bled. My eyes blinked blue tears. "No!"

"Do it now, or I keep your present."

I did. And then I vomited. The pain let up almost immediately.

He patted me on the head. "Good. Remember who owns you. Your father's strings fit a bit too tightly, but we can wear you down to size."

My eyes rolled up to him with hatred.

"How do you plan to reach the Third?"

My brows popped high. I had hoped the Tritans didn't know of our plans.

"Enki established fail safes for the conduit to Cinder. No more smuggling unless we say so."

There must be another way.

"But..." Shaking with rage, I asked tightly, "What do you want of me?"

The Physician paced the black stone tiles with his hands behind his back for a moment. "I will allow a conduit to open directly to the Third from Cinder, if you continue working for me and me alone."

I gaped on my knees and didn't spare my voice the incredulity, "A conduit directly to the planet? Our people can travel freely without Tritan involvement... how?"

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"I am Primary."

That's all. That's all it took?! I stood on shaky legs. My pride told me to hide it. What was the worth of my people's salvation? How much of my soul--and theirs--was I willing to blacken? I stared at the burning sun swallowing our planet through a sphere made by my grandfather's kindness.

"Anything."

The Tritan nodded in approval. "Smarter than your father. And nice work with the Lyriki invasion. I despised that Probability, myself, but the others selected it. I hope you appreciate that I recalled the army while you slept. I pulled the fire alarm, so-to-speak."

His words washed over me in a sea of confusion, but I understood he implied in assisting us. "I am grateful."

"My price is high. In six months' time, a planetary leader will visit to discuss an arrangement with Yu. Welcome him. Work with him. And then on my say, kill him."

Inside, I balked. We arranged plenty of agreeable outcomes between our people and others. While some involved force, we never assassinated anyone.

He grinned wickedly and reminded me of Cinder's gain. "I am so curious what your people will do with a pristine planet full of humans. Especially Xelan."

I lowered my head. What would my brother think of me in this moment? Was my mother right all along?

"How is my son?" The Primary's voice softened.

The corrosion of my family was beyond salvation. "Insatiably curious. I think he loves someone. I think he hates me."

The Tritan nodded solemnly. "He will. Your paths were not meant to parallel even this long. Divergence is inevitable."

I fought not to wince. His words rang of the truth, and I hated him for it.

"Your mother... in the end. Did she suffer?"

I recalled the amount of gold I fed into her syringe. How quickly she died without a single thrash or seizure. "She died as she lived. With grace."

Silence stretched between us. He looked out over Cinder as he absorbed my answer. Tired of the games, I stood. "I will do as you command." The last came out in a snarl despite my best efforts.

The Physician started as if he forgot I was there. "See to it."

I left him on the platform and went in search of Korac. I needed to discuss the best location for the conduit to the Third. I hoped Xelan would indulge me in a conversation on how to secure it.

The coronation celebration went on without me, and that suited my mood just fine. Declining offers to dance wore on me. While it wasn't uncommon for me to leave a festival, it was uncommon for Korac to retire for an early night. He enjoyed displaying his looks like a work of art at a gala. I didn't fault him for it, and he didn't fault my otherwise antisocial tendencies.

I walked to his chambers in case I missed him along the way by flying. I wanted to grant him wings when I promoted him officially to General. I looked forward--

Hushed voices came to me from the library as I passed by. Passion ignited between words. Moans, kisses, and purrs. One voice was Xelan's. The other's... "Korac, I know you wore this to tempt me to distraction. Your wicked streak will be the end of me."

"Come now, my Prince. I seek not your end but your undoing."

I've yet to walk away from anything with as much haste as I did from their encounter that night. With my suspicions confirmed, I felt elated for them. Truly happy. I worried our venture into Earth might strain their relationship, but I genuinely believed if any pair could survive their differences, it was them.

I spent the night of my coronation alone, planning the invasion. Korac found me the next morning arranging the last vestiges of our relocation.

"Enter."

He whistled a tune as he danced into my chambers in a bright mood. "Sire, may I assist you with anything?"

I suppressed a smile. So jovial. Yet despite my happiness for him, I fostered a predilection to test his usual defenses. "How did you enjoy celebrating your promotion, General?"

No reaction. Not even a twitch. "Quite thoroughly, your majesty."

Bewildered, my eyebrows went high as I decided not to press further. "Well, while you were disposed indulging yourself, I secured some designs on Cinder's salvation. An ally of an abominable nature has offered us a door into paradise." I pointed to the model.

Korac stared at the strategy table and gripped his jaw. "Is that a conduit next to the site of your castle?"

"It is."

His eyes widened a little. "Dare I ask where it leads?"

"Home."