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as he thumped his tankard on the tabletop. “But I am the king of the Dark Elves and I bear the responsibility of making the decisions as to what is best for my people.”
    â€œThe good of the few outweighs the good of the many?” Hannah’s back was rigid as she spoke. “That is such—such—”
    â€œBullshit,” Rhiannon said, her green eyes burning with fire. “Thousands, if not millions, need you. That is the many. You are the few.”

    Keir’s expression had turned thunderous and Eavan narrowed his gaze. Likely they were reining themselves in from locking horns with Garran.
    It was obvious that no matter how hard they pleaded, Garran wasn’t going to budge. Hannah looked at Rhiannon, who nodded.
    Hannah leaned forward in her seat, her eyes fixed on Garran’s. “What if we were able to offer something to your people in return for helping our people?”
    â€œThen you would have my interest, as king as well as a father and a man.” Garran drummed his fingers on the arm of his chair. “What do you bring to barter?”
    Hannah took a deep breath. “The Great Guardian said she will give you something you want for your people in exchange for helping us.”
    Garran stopped drumming his fingers. Shock registered along the strong lines of his face, making Hannah wonder what could be so important that it would affect the king so strongly. “The Guardian said this?” he asked, a hard edge to his tone.
    Rhiannon wrapped her hand around her tankard again, but didn’t take a drink. “The Guardian met us at the transference stone right before we came here.”
    Irritation was evident in Garran’s expression. “You failed to mention her offer immediately, for what reason?”
    Rhiannon sounded like she was talking through gritted teeth. “Because I wanted to know if you would do it out of the goodness of your heart. Apparently you don’t have one.”
    Garran’s look turned thoughtful for a moment as he met his daughter’s gaze. He glanced toward Hannah again. “What exactly did the Elvin Guardian say?”
    â€œYou’ll be given something for aiding us, something your people want.” Hannah swept the lock of blond from her face to join her dark hair. “Conditionally.”
    Rhiannon added, “She said you have to go alone to talk to her.”
    Garran leaned back in his chair again and stroked his
chin with one hand while his stare seemed to travel somewhere in the distance, as if he didn’t see any of them at that moment.
    Finally, he shifted in his seat and looked to each member of Hannah’s group. “I will visit the Guardian to hear what promise she can make me and my people. Then I will make my decision.”
    Rhiannon’s shoulders relaxed and the tension coiled inside Hannah unwound a little.
    â€œBut I have my own condition.” He looked to each person. “One of you will stay with my people and serve as liaison to yours.”
    Hannah frowned. “Why?”
    â€œMy reasons are my own. That is my condition.” He turned his gaze on Hannah. “One of you will stay here while I talk to the Guardian. And if we go to battle alongside your people, that person will remain with the Drow and at my side during the war. Do you accept?”
    It couldn’t be Keir or Rhiannon—neither of them should be separated like that. And Eavan … Hannah glanced at him. Definitely not the liaison type.
    Yes, she needed to do what was necessary to help out an entire city, if not an entire world.
    â€œI’ll do it,” she said before anyone else could respond. “I’m the best woman for the job.”
    A pleased smile crept over Garran’s features even as Eavan growled, “I forbid it. I will stay.”
    Hannah swung her gaze to Eavan, fury burning her insides. “Do not ever think you can tell me what I can or can’t do. I will stay and