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peace, start between the two of you.”
    The Disa spoke to the entire hall as she concluded, “The best advice I can offer is this: Tie the two royal families. Make the two sides into one. If you are willing to trust each other, and willing to put aside your anger and your hatred, then Zane Cobriana, take Danica Shardae as your mate. Danica Shardae, have Zane Cobriana as your alistair.”
    Andreios was the first to jump to his feet to protest, though the female guard shouted out not a moment after. Even my mother’s voice rose, at the same time that Charis Cobriana stood. Zane’s voice climbed above the others, saying, “I think that’s an absurd idea,” while my own objections were frozen in my throat.
    Again the Disa held up her hands for silence, and one of the other Mistari touched Charis’sarm and told her to sit. Another guard was doing the same to Andreios.
    The Disa’s voice was soft, almost sad, as she asked, “If you, the leaders of your people, are unwilling to make amends, then how can you expect your warriors to do so?” More loudly, she told the hall, “Stay here for the night, think on my words—”
    Zane’s voice interrupted. “Wait, please—”
    â€œDismissed, all of you,” the Disa commanded. “You may return tomorrow at sunset if you wish to do so. For now, seek your beds, rest and think on my words.”
    Just like that, we were barred from the hall. The Disa and Dio left their dais as we were ushered out by Mistari guards and escorted to the rooms in which we would be staying.
    A young Mistari girl brought water to wash with, as well as an assortment of cheeses, fruit and warm, freshly baked brown bread. I was grateful that the Mistari had thought not to serve meat, since like most of my kind I avoided it.
    Rei stopped in to check on me once, and I had to assure him repeatedly that I would be fine before he calmed down.
    He paused at the doorway and then turned back to me and apologized. “Dani, I’m sorry I lost my temper in the hall today. You know I care about you. I always have. The thought of thatsnake coming anywhere near you …” He trailed off and looked away from me as if he couldn’t meet my eyes. “I should go. Good night.”
    â€œGood night, Rei,” I answered with a bit of a sigh.
    Then he was gone, and I was alone again, with only the flickering orange light of a solitary candle for company.
    I lay back on the soft fur sleeping pallet and watched the light dance on the ceiling as I thought.
    Never ask your people to do something you do not have the courage, or the determination, to do. If you want peace, start between the two of you. How could the Disa expect us to suddenly turn from enemies to a pair bond? She couldn’t understand. The Mistari had never known the intense bloodshed and hatred our two kinds had known.
    But still, there was a reason why the Disa was considered wise, a reason why warring people had come to her lands for hundreds of years when they sought peace. Never before had anyone managed to get leaders of both sides of this war together. If that was possible … maybe Eleanor was right—maybe anything was possible.

A CHILL DOWN MY SPINE AND A FLICKER OF darkness in the corner of my vision announced his presence, even before the figure emerged from the shadows.
    Still wearing black snakeskin pants and a black shirt that I now recognized as silk, the cobra terrified me just by being in the room. Pure primal instinct forced me to my feet. The back of my neck tingled, gold eyes dilated to catch every hint of light and every inch of skin was suddenly hypersensitive. My heartbeat had jumped instantly, until I could hear it as a near buzz in my ears.
    â€œWhat do you want?” I asked, choking back a cry for my guards. Zane Cobriana would not be stupid enough to kill me in Mistari lands.
    Would he?
    I could not read his expression as he collapsed