Page 11 of The Crown’s Temptation

The human on the table had been there for the better part of an hour.

Nox had arranged everything herself. The chair, the setting, the peculiar silence Morrath always seemed to provide without being asked. She had even made sure the human was conscious enough to be present, which was more consideration than most received. All of this had been done with Aviaryn in mind.

Aviaryn was looking at the ceiling.

"Come sit for dinner," Nox said.

"I do not want that for dinner." Aviaryn did not look down. "His leg is hairy."

Nox set down what she was holding. "I didn't ask."

"You implied."

"I'm your mother. If I say eat the human, you eat the human."

Aviaryn lowered her eyes from the ceiling and looked at Nox with the expression she wore when she was about to say something that would require patience Nox did not currently have. "And I am the mistress of⁠—"

"I don't give a damn what you are the mistress of. You are my daughter."

"Axar says children should not be cursed at."

Nox looked her over. "And where is your blindfold?"

Aviaryn blinked. "The Umbrelai do not care if I wear the blindfold or not, Mother. I have decided I no longer wish to wear it."

Nox frowned. "You are Princess of Umbrelai. There is value in tradition."

Aviaryn shrugged. "Then the tradition may change."

Nox stared at her.

"Axar," she said finally, "does not have a disobedient feeder as a daughter who lurks in tunnels and entertains herself with nightmares and goodbyes and refuses to eat the meals that she is given."

Aviaryn considered this. "Perhaps if you⁠—"

"Eat the food, Avi."

"I prefer Aviaryn."

Flagsar appeared at Aviaryn's side and turned to Nox. "My queen, if I may⁠—"

"You may not. Fuck off, Flag."

Flagsar disappeared.

Nox exhaled. "Parenting you is a headache."

"You are not very good at it," Aviaryn said, without heat, in the way she said most things. "Perhaps you should pursue other interests."

Nox looked at her. "Drink your blood, Avi."

"Aviaryn."

"Aviaryn." She said it through her teeth. Then she stood. "Your behavior displeases me."

"But you are not in Morrath for me anyway, now are you, mother?"

Nox turned to face her fully, which was what Aviaryn had been waiting for, because Aviaryn was always waiting for when she had all of the attention in the room rather than most of it.