"I think perhaps you lack objectivity in this situation. You suffered a great many personal losses in the Wars. You hate the Eld. You'll never see them as anything but enemies.”

"Because that is all they will ever be!"

"My advisors," Dorian said, "see this opportunity as a way to provide a needed boost to our economy. As do many of the nobles on the Council of Lords.”

"Your advisors," Rain retorted, "and your nobles are greedy fools. When an evil man dangles a heavy purse before you, beware. Have you never learned that?”

"When his children are hungry, a desperate man will do desperate things," the king countered. "The last year has not been easy. Droughts and floods ruined most of last year's crops. Even with the help the Fey provided to manage the weather, our stockpiles of food are nearly depleted. If this year's harvests are not plentiful, there will be starvation come winter.”

If Rain could promise Fey help to bring fertility to the Celierian fields, he would. But any such promise would be a lie. Fertility was a woman's gift, and the Fey women had been barren for centuries. "I can send warriors to you, ones strong in Earth, Water, and Air. They can help manage the weather and bring the nutrients in the soil closer to the surface." Fey with Earth magic could create food, but not on a scale large enough to feed Celieria for a winter. Aiding the world in performing its natural functions would produce greater results.

"And in return?”

"Cease your trade with Eld. Do not open the borders. That way is dangerous, the threat far greater than starvation, even if you do not see it.”

Dorian turned to Dax. "Lord Dax, I have known you and my aunt all my life. I trust and value your opinion, yet never once have either of you mentioned the possibility of a revived Mage threat in Eld. Why is that?”

Dax didn't answer. Instead, he looked at Rain.

"Marissya and Dax don't sense the darkness," Rain bit out. "Only I do.”

Dorian's expression went blank, as if a shutter had been drawn closed. "I see.”

"Marissya Truthspoke Rain before we left the Fading Lands," Dax said. "There is no doubt of his honesty."

"Forgive me," Dorian replied, "but as we all know, Truth- speaking only guarantees that the one being Truthspoken believes what he says. It doesn't guarantee that what he believes is true. The distinction may be small, but in this case vital—as I'm sure you agree, or we would not be having the conversation.”

Dax's gaze dropped. Fey did not lie. He could not dispute Dorian's conclusion.

Rain swallowed a bitter curse, hating the Celierian for his blind determination to believe the Eld and doubt the Fey. Hating himself for being unable to offer proof or control his temper long enough to make Dorian see reason. Hating the fear that perhaps Dax and Dorian were right, and there was no darkness, only Rain's old companion, insanity, toying with him again.

He couldn't say why he sensed what no one else did. He only knew he did. Perhaps it was all those Mage souls anchored to his own. Perhaps it was because he was a Tairen Soul, and they were not. Perhaps it was because he had spent seven hundred years tormented by madness, his mind a wide- open field upon which all the millions he'd killed trampled without restraint.

Whatever the cause, he knew he was right. Believed it with unswerving certainty. The Mages had regained their power, and the world was in danger once more.

"Believe me delusional if you like, King Dorian, but protect yourself in case I am not. Keep your borders closed. You've survived a thousand years without the Eld. Surely you can survive a few more. At least give me time to gather the proof you require.”

"I will consult my advisors. The Eld treaty is scheduled for debate in the Council of Lords next week. We will discuss your concerns, so the lords may take them into consideration before they cast their vote.”

"This is not a matter for your advisors and Council to decide, King Dorian," Rain countered. "The monarchy did not give up all of its power when the Council of Lords was established. Invoke primus. Make the decision yourself, and keep your borders closed.”

Dorian drew back. "Primus is a king's tool of last resort," he answered in a low voice. "It is not to be invoked except in cases of utmost urgency. To use it carelessly is to tread the path of tyranny.”

"Tyranny?" Rain echoed in disbelief. "It is not tyranny for a king to command the defense of his country and keep his borders closed to his enemies.”

Dorian shook his head and heaved a sigh. "You have been too long away, Rainier Feyreisen. The Eld are not the enemies they once were, and I will not invoke primus on the basis of groundless speculation and hard feelings. The Lords of Celieria will debate the issue." He held up a hand to forestall Rain's next objection. "And unless you can provide definitive proof to the contrary, they will make the decision, not I.”

Rain's jaw clenched. Had this fool heard nothing? The Eld were dangerous! They greeted you with friendship, wormed past your defenses, gained your trust, and only revealed the dagger of betrayal as it was plunged into your vitals. Darkness was growing in Eld. The Eld were once again forming ties to Celieria. And Rain had claimed a mate with a Celierian family. It was as if history were repeating itself, only this time the Fey might be too weak to prevail.

"Then think on it and have your debate, Dorian vel Serranis Torreval, but while you do, think also on this." His eyes narrowed, glowing so fiercely Dorian's face was bathed in lavender light. "If you open your borders to the Eld, you terminate your alliance with the Fey." With a final glare for Dorian and Dax, Rain spun on one booted heel and stalked out.