Chapter 62

Ellen had remained across the desk from Joris while he made the final

arrangements for the signing. Her face was drawn and her arms were crossed.

“Do you think this was the right call?” Joris asked.

“I’m probably not the best person to be asking, considering that I was

ready to kill in order to keep anyone in this system from rejoining the

Empire.”

“That’s precisely why I want to know what you think.”

She considered the statement. “Yes, I do believe this was for the best.

The mentality that we should remain separate is an old way of thinking that

won’t move us forward. Unity is what’s best.”

Achieving that unity would be a long road, Joris knew, but his people

might not have had a future if he’d continued to delay a decision. With

Chancellor Hale on alert, the entire Mysaran fleet could be directed toward

Elusia at any moment. It would only take several well-placed shots to level

the cities on his world, should they choose to take such aggressive action.