“Last time I was here,” Seven says quietly, though I’d imagine everyone in the riser can hear him, “was when my father sent me on a diplomatic expedition to try to make the Sta’Criverans allies. It was the first time I was ever in a riser and I think I nearly fainted, which was not exactly the image of strength my father wanted to project. Of course, the Sta’Criverans had no interest in an alliance, as I came to find out. But they wanted to make sure I—and my father—understood how strong they were and how, even if we weren’t allies, it would be a mistake to consider them enemies.”
“It’s true,” Nesrina says, glancing at us over her shoulder. “The Kalovaxians would never dare invadeRico. Which is precisely why it’s the safest place for you, Your Majesty.”
“I’m so grateful,” I say with my s
