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Jase Kayrs was, and this was another reason he couldn’t be allowed to face off with the demons during the peace talks. “Have we agreed upon the number of people present during the talks?” Lily asked.
    “Yes. Besides the three prophets and Janie Kayrs, each species gets a dignitary and bodyguard at the table. Or rather, across the fire.” Caleb escorted her into the darkness and snapped a switch to show lights strung along the ceiling. “We have a mine lift here, and there are stairs to the side in case we need that way for an escape, though it’d take an awfully long time to make it out that way.”
    Lily swallowed and stepped onto the lift to take a seat and strap herself in. Freshly cut wooden boards surrounded her on three sides and smelled like Christmas. They must’ve used pine trees. “I take it we’ll have soldiers stationed along the way?”
    “They’re in place now and will remain so until after the peace talks next week.” Caleb sat and secured his harness in the sturdy seat.
    “I feel like I’m about to go on an amusement ride,” Lily said, butterflies in her stomach.
    “This is faster.” Caleb reached for a lever.
    “Hold it,” a male voice called out before the king leaped onto the lift, a grape energy drink in his hand. He took a seat on Lily’s left and buckled in. “I want to go down with you.”
    Lily smiled at the king as her stomach clenched. “Good morning, Dage.”
    The king lifted a dark eyebrow over a narrowed silver eye. “Prophet. I’m pleased to see you’re fine after your bar fight last night.”
    “That’s kind of you.” Lily kept her voice solicitous and fought the urge to roll her eyes. A lady didn’t roll her eyes.
    “Do we need to discuss the danger involved?” Dage asked.
    “No.” Lily clasped her hands together, fully aware that even the king put her on a pedestal. The only person who saw her as a woman and not a prophet was currently glaring multicolored eyes at her. “Stop glaring, Caleb.”
    He grunted and hit a button that enclosed the lift.
    “Who is attending the talks from the Realm?” she asked.
    Dage rubbed his chin as an engine roared to life in the background. “Jase really wants to attend.”
    “No,” Caleb said, reaching over to double-check Lily’s restraints.
    Dage eyed his friend over Lily’s head, and Lily’s foot began to tap. “I’d like to talk about it,” Dage said.
    Caleb lifted a massive shoulder. “I understand you’d like to talk, but Jase isn’t attending the peace talks. He’s still rightfully angry at the demons, and they him, so no Jase. If you really want peace, we need to be smart. You and Talen should attend the peace talks from the Realm.”
    Lily pursed her lips. “Why Talen and not Conn?” Both men were brothers to the king and deadly soldiers. Either would be an excellent choice, and she wondered how Caleb had chosen between them.
    “Janie needs to be there,” Caleb said quietly as the engine sound increased in volume.
    “No.” The king’s jaw set in a hard line.
    “Yes.” Caleb turned to more fully face Dage over Lily’s head. “The Kurjans and demons have both demanded her presence, and you know it. We’ll keep her safe, but she’s instrumental to the talks.”
    Lily nodded. “The war began because everyone was fighting over getting to Janie, and it makes sense that she be present.” Plus, the unknown force that always guided Lily all but screamed that Janie needed to be there.
    Caleb cleared his throat. “If Janie’s there, then her father needs to be present. He won’t take no for an answer, I assume.”
    “I agree,” Lily said. Talen was Janie’s adopted father, and he’d raised her from the time she was a toddler. No way would he take a shooter’s position outside the talks while she was vulnerable inside. “So Talen it is.”
    The scent of rock and earth tickled Lily’s senses, almost competing with the strong scent of male surrounding her. Most immortal species would be