Chapter 166. Calm Before the Storm

Xerina’s POV

I stood in the meeting room, the cold stone walls pressing in on me as the silence throbbed in my ears. Rasmus’s words still echoed in my mind, gnawing at my insides like a festering wound. “I love you, but it’s not enough.”

Damn him. Damn him for loving me and still walking away. But there wasn’t time for this, no room for weakness. Not with Valeria out there, not with war breathing down our necks.

My father’s voice shattered the silence, sharp and cutting. “We need to move. The longer we wait, the more ground she gains.” His eyes met mine, hard and determined. “You know I’m right, Xerina.”

I clenched my fists, forcing my breath to steady. “I know. But if we’re going to stand a chance against her, we need more than just force. Valeria’s not going to fight fair. She never has.” I looked over to Luca, my younger brother, who stood by the large wooden table, maps and battle plans sprawled before him.

“Fuck,” Luca muttered under his bre