Truce:

Umara:
—Come closer, little flower.
As soon as Cítiê was not present, her voice became hoarse, honeyed, deep, however I compressed my lips and stayed right where I was.
I heard him growl and then let out a laugh.
—You are so disobedient and troublesome, the people did well to believe that you are the reincarnation of our warrior goddess. I have been greatly pleased with your effort in training with the other Lunas, I am proud to see how much they have learned to control their gifts.
I keep silent.
—From the first moment you stood before, I knew you would be a thorn in my side… so haughty and proud, but at the same time so fragile…

I had avoided looking directly at him, keeping him out of my field of vision, but, obviously impatient and striding forward, he positioned himself right in front of me. I kept my eyes fixed on the ground and my head bowed.
—Have you come to hate me so much, little flower, that you're not even rebellious like you used to be?" Before, you defied me by holding your head high, now you punish me by hiding your face from me.

Without warning and without preamble he takes me in his arms, squeezing me in a fierce hug.
—Do not condemn me like a pilgrim to the desert of your indifference, return me to the Oasis of your arms.
I stand rigid and silent, falling prey to his grasp.
—What is it required for you to give me the honey of your lips once more? What can I give you that you value more than jewelry, fine cloths or precious stones? If I give you half of my kingdom, will you look at me again with the eyes of a dove in love?
I don't answer him, I don't even move.
—Let us have a truce, I beseech you. Your indifference hurts me more than my generals´ betrayal .- He sobs, freeing me and I take a step back.
—I accept your request for a truce, Your Majesty.
His face lights up but I raise a hand to show that I'm not done.
—I do not wish to cause you suffering, we must concentrate on surviving.If we win the battle that lies ahead, I will ask only one thing of you as a reward.
—Tell me what you want and it will be yours, little flower.
She put her arms around me to keep from trembling in agony.
—I require no jewelry or gems, and you may keep your entire kingdom, Your Highness. I just want my freedom.
—My lie has caused me great harm, the gods have punished me by turning the honey on your lips into the most bitter gall.- he whispers.
—You asked what price my kisses have, and I have given it to you. Do you agree with what I ask of you?
—No.
He walks away with his back to me and we press our lips together. Having him so close was torture, his smell, his voice, the heat that emanated from his skin, everything about him is an invitation to give in. An invitation to kiss him, to touch him, to love him desperately and I can't. I do not want. If I fell for his trap I would end up hating myself.
He turns abruptly and looks at me angrily.
—You are cruel, my beautiful nomad. You offer me the glory while stabbing me with a dagger. Does it offend you so much how much I love you?
I swallow hard, closing my eyes, turning my face away and breathing loudly through my mouth, his words hurting me more strongly than if he had slapped me. How do you dare? How is it that you intend to keep playing with my feelings?
—You love me, you say…it's ironic. How do you love me? - I ask indignantly, angry and frankly unhinged with rage. - Do you love me like Cassandra?
—She is my uncle's daughter, I never loved her, I was forced to marry her. She was the first woman with the sign, the mark of the moon and according to the prophecy she was to be my wife.
—Prophecy? What prophecy? - I ask puzzled.
—The one that gives me the right to claim the women of the pavilion.
—Law? Who gave you that right? Is this how you justify what you've done with all of them? Steal them from their lands, force them to be yours…Do you perhaps feel the slightest bit of affection towards Cítiê? The woman is admirable. She is patient and wise, she is the wife that every king needs.
—Yes, Cítiê is a very valuable woman and I have great appreciation for her, but she is not the mistress of my heart. You are.
—What about the twins?-They were trained to kill from the time they were able to stand. They are deadly warriors, or Burya?
—They are my concubines, Umara. They are here as fate would have it, but none of them consume my thoughts like you do.
I snort in disbelief.
He tries to take me in his arms again but I move away from his touch, I couldn't bear to have him close again.
—Don't you miss me, little flower? What was so special about the gardener that the Emperor doesn't have?
I frown at him, I want to end this farce once and for all.
—My beloved was not a murderer!

Alessios:
—I didn't order the massacre of your tribe,.-he whispered.
—I don't believe you.
I run my hand over my face impatiently.
—No matter what I say, you won't believe me, but I swear. The attack on the nomads was not ordered by me. Now I suspect that Cassandra is behind it. Somehow he managed to get rid of his diadem and upon discovering your whereabouts he planned your death.
— What does Cassandra's diadem have to do with all this?
I went into the store, and taking the jewel from the cushion on which it rested, I approached her, offering it to her. He took it in my hand, turning it in this and that direction, to study it better.
—It's made of enchanted silver.- I explain.-It´s ruby connects directly to my ring, so every time Cassandra had a vision I shared it. However, she found a way to outsmart me. It is assumed that this type of clothing can only be removed by the person who puts it on.
—Is Sarab's anklet similar?- she asks, surprised.

—Yes, but in his case, the garment diminishes his powers, preventing him from turning invisible and trying to kill me again.

Umara:
Wow, I had no idea that was Sarab's gift.
The sound of a horn breaks the relative calm of the camp, Alessios immediately tenses, and one of the captains runs into the tent.
—My lord , our scouts have detected the enemy outpost. They have set up camp two miles from here.
Alessios nods, ordering the guard to be reinforced and lookouts posted at all access points, the captain bows his head and storms out shouting orders.
I slowly make my way towards the entrance of the store.
—Umara.- He calls me and I turn to look at him, in a few strides he positions himself between me and the exit.- Take it. This is the scroll that contains the inscription of the original prophecy, few know it, and most only know the first stanza. Study it, I am convinced that the second stanza refers to you.