At the other end of the conference table, Mother cleared her throat. “Regardless, Theron should be mobilizing our forces?—”
“Thank you, Empress,” the envoy’s holo said, as if to a brainless child, “but the Emperor has taskedmewith representing Etovian interests in these proceedings.”
The gills on Nadar’s scaled face rippled as the senator inhaled deeply. In his holoprojection, a stream of bubbles rushed past him. “Thisis the problem. Until the day comes where we stop fighting each other and focus on fighting Carik, any rebellion is doomed.”
The other projections nodded their assent.
Kalie gave vague assurances that she would handle it. The words were hollow. No one looked convinced. Still, the other would-be rebel leaders wished her luck before ending the call.
The chrono ticked away.
Mother rested her chin on her steepled hands, regarding Kalie like a ranorak watching a genapi cub. She straightened her posture and held her gaze.
Wind whistled past the open window, carrying in an earthy scent. Gauzy curtains swished in the chilly fall breeze.
“Are you going to let your sister in now?”
Kalie rearranged the table runner and the empty gold platters. “If you’d like. Surely you understand it’s for her own good that I keep herout of these meetings. If Carik were to find her implicated in treason… I couldn’t bear to see my sister fall too.”
“You’re protecting her.”
“Of course.”
They exchanged fake smiles.
This language of lies was their new game. It wasn’t any better than the old one.
Sighing, Kalie pressed a key fob. Mylis, standing guard on the other side of the entrance, held the door open for Selene. As always, his Guardsman’s uniform was pressed and starched. Despite his shaggy hair, he seemed to be someone who took great pride in looking his best.
She motioned for him to close the door. He gave her an apologetic smile as it shut.
With a snap of her fingers and a flick of her hand, Selene sent a maid scurrying across the room to pour her a glass of wine. She gracelessly flopped onto Aunt Calida’s long gray couch, sinking into the sapphire pillows.
“Make yourself at home.”
“Sarcasm doesn’t suit you, sister.” Selene snatched her wine from the maid, sipped at it, and wrinkled her nose. “No, this won’t do. Fetch me a vintage. None of this foreign swill.”
Kalie scowled. “When addressing my staff, treat them with courtesy.”
“What do you want me to say,please?” Selene snorted. “How was day thirteen of the meetings I’m excluded from?”
“As uneventful as the rest.”
“Shame.”
Kalie’s headache pulsed as she strolled to the open window, batting aside the translucent silk curtains that fluttered in the breeze. The calming scent of cedar and pine wafted in on the wind. She inhaled deeply. Between the petitions and policies she now spent every waking minute poring over, the pointless meetings that dominated her days, and the two snakes invading her solar, she’d had precious few moments to enjoy Dali’s nature.
Home.
“If you need assistance, Kalista, you need only say the word.” Fabric rustled as Mother rose to her feet. Kalie bit back a huff of frustration. “I know your nobles are being difficult, but I dealt with them for most of my childhood, and I’m sure I could compel them to support you.”
“Why?”
“It’s simple. Unlike you, I’m a full-blooded Dalian—”half, Kalie silently corrected; even Aunt Calida had only been half— “and they respect me.”
“I meant,” she snapped, bristling at Mother’s jab, “why would you help me?”
“You really have to ask?”
