“You’re not seriously considering her deal, are you?” Zane asked, approaching Skylar’s throne.
“Why wouldn’t I?” he asked, shrugging slowly.
“She’s the one thing that stands between you and your father’s dream, your dream,” Zane said, throwing his arms out to the sides.
“Cole, I’m sure you have an opinion,” Skylar said, glancing over at his brother.
Cole sighed heavily, eyes on the ivy floor. He walked a few paces towards the throne, then stopped and shrugged. “If she dies, the magic in her kingdom dies. The land would shrivel up and die. Would it even be worth conquering, then?”
“Hmm,” Skylar stroked his chin and drummed his fingers.
“If we lay claim to the land, winter magic will spread there,” Zane pointed out, eyes darting to Cole.
“Sky, have you really considered what that imbalance will do to the rest of the realm?” Cole asked.