“The negotiations have gone that far?”
“Of course.” Adira scanned the crowd, probably looking for gossip. “The draft treaty that went out earlier in the week was supposed to be the next step. I assume it didn’t land the way he wanted it to.”
“No,” said Mackenzie, frustration catching in her throat.
“Little sister,” Issam said, coming back to where Mackenzie stood with Adira. “Are you enjoying the party?”
“You two aren’t.”
Issam blinked at Mackenzie. “We aren’t?”
“Tell him, Mackenzie.”
She gaped at Adira. “What?”
“Tell him what you’re sulking about. We hadn’t gotten there yet, Issam, but now that you’re here, let’s have it.”
Mackenzie tried to calm her thoughts. “Fine. I—” She took a deep breath. “I think we’re overlooking a tactic that could result in a win for everyone.”
Issam crossed his arms over his chest. “And what’s that?”
“Separate the shelter from the no-man’s land. Turn it into an international place of refuge.” Mackenzie had spent hours poring over this dispute, and that was the one solution that came up again and again.
Issam laughed, a sharp little sound. “Oh? Is it that simple?”
“It’s not simple, but it’s the right thing to do. For everyone. If you separate the shelter from the land, then you and Al-Madiza can both occupy the remaining space. You’ll both have the same advantage against Caldad, but you won’t be throwing those women and children to the wolves. Al-Dashalid would retain control over the fort for that purpose.” She met his gaze. “That’s what I would do. And I think it’s the right strategy.”
Issam shook his head, wearing a smirk that made Mackenzie’s blood boil. “That’s not possible.”
“It must be possible. The shelter must exist,” Mackenzie insisted. “It needs to be outside the bounds of all three countries so that the women there can’t be punished by any nation’s discriminatory laws.”
“That’s a wonderful vision,” retorted Issam, “but as I’ve said, that can’t happen. The fort needs to remain the property of Al-Dashalid.”
“It’s not technically Al-Dashalid’s property now—”
“It will be once my ground forces get there.”
“You sent military personnel to the fort?” Mackenzie was appalled. “Have you even given the women and children there any warning? Have you—” The anger finally broke loose in her chest. “What’s wrong with you, Issam?”
Adira put both her hands up and stepped quietly away from the couple.
Mackenzie barreled on. “I have spent days on this, weeks on this, and I have all the strategies and tactics you could ever dream of. I just need some access, and I can solve this problem for you. Why won’t you let me?”
“It’s beyond you now,” Issam said, eyes burning with fury. “I have two other countries edging toward war. And all because I spent too much time considering this shelter.”
“No. You’re not blaming me for this.”
“I could.” He stared her down. “You’ve single-handedly created enough animosity between Al-Dashalid and Al-Madiza that it’s no surprise the treaty was dead on arrival.”
“If you’d listened to me before you wrote the treaty, it might not have been dismissed out of hand.” She edged closer. “Okay.” Solutions. Find a way through. “We could take a step back from the negotiating table and—”
“Mackenzie,” Issam said, and his voice was almost gentle. “This isn’t what you should be focused on. I have this handled. You focus on wedding planning.” Gentle or not, she could tell by his tone that his decision was final.
“You can’t be serious.”
“I’m deadly serious. Work on your own projects. Let me work on mine.”
She was being dismissed out of hand, just like the treaty.