The Diatous Wars 1: Rebel Wing Read Free

won’t be enough.”
    Galena paused a few feet from him. For the first time she met his eyes. “Why are you telling me this now? Why not wait for the World Council?”
    “Meridia and Castalia have no stake in containing Safara; they share no borders and rely heavily on Safaran energy. But you . . .” He cleared his throat. “Ruslana . . . you’ll suffer, too, as our resources are eaten by the war. If Safaran troops continue to raze our fields, we’ll have no crops to export. No timber, if our forests continue to burn. And, if Ward Balias is indeed aiming to conquer Atalanta, I don’t imagine he’ll stop there. It’s in your best interest to help us stand in this war.”
    For a long time Galena said nothing. She moved to the window. Pyralis watched as she bit the corner of her lip, a habitual gesture he recognized even after so many years. It meant she was thinking, chewing over the problem in her mind like a tough piece of meat. He took a step closer, almost placing a hand on the small of her back, almost leaning close enough to catch the hint of roses in her perfume. But he caught himself, just in time.
    When she finally spoke, she didn’t look away from the window. “I can’t support you outright. We need peace along our border with Safara. But there are other ways, other things Ruslana can do. Perhaps.”
    It was a diplomatic answer at best. She said nothing more, but by the determined set of her chin, Pyralis knew she’d offer what help she could. He desperately hoped it would be enough.
    So far, he’d been able to keep the truth of Atalanta’s precarious position from the news vids, but tomorrow, at the selection ceremony, the people would know. Although it was customary to select more citizens to join the Ward’s sector, this year’s imbalance would be extreme. Nearly a third of the graduating young men would be stamped with black Military brands.
    “Thank you, Ward Vadim,” he said softly. “I am in your debt.”
    At that Galena turned and faced him. “You owe me nothing. This is not about you or me. Do not suppose, for a second, that I will be doing this for you.”
    She stalked toward the door.
    Before Pyralis could stop himself, he grabbed her wrist, drawing her to a halt.
    “Galena, please.” This time he couldn’t hide it, the regret. It weighed down his words, ran in lines of pain to where his fingers brushed her skin.
    She pulled her arm from his grasp. “No, Pyralis. You don’t get to touch me.”
    In the twin flames of her ice-blue eyes, he could see her true meaning. What was broken between them would ever remain so.
    Bowing, he said, “I understand, Ward Vadim. Atalanta is grateful for your support.”
    He didn’t raise his head as she left; he couldn’t. Quite suddenly, he could hardly bear its weight.

Chapter 3
    Lux’s selection ceremony was held in the airy, vaulted main hall of the Council Building. The room—indeed, the entire building—was a marvel, the most imposing structure in all of Lux, built through a partnership of Technology and Environment engineers many generations ago. It was made of gleaming, polished wood, with massive columns of sparkling golden stone that supported the arched ceiling. Vast expanses of glass let in sunlight along with a view of the cloudless blue sky and the endless green of the groves.
    Aris searched the crowded room for Calix, trying to keep calm, but it was difficult to smile and joke with her classmates. She was wound so tightly she could barely breathe, her eyes red from trying to wipe away her nightmares.
    It’s a lie
, she told herself
. Everything Theo said was a lie, it has to be
.
    “Oh holy, I’m so nervous I could die!” The voice hurtled toward her, along with a small, determined body. Warm arms and a starberry-scented cloud of dark curls engulfed her.
    Sputtering, Aris drew back. “Echo, your hair is a menace.”
    Echo giggled and tugged on Aris’s arm. “Can you believe it? Our selection day.
Finally
. Phae’s