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“So…”
Liam looks at me with distrust and contempt as he parrots, “So.”
I laugh as I lean back in my chair. “They’re fine,” I assure him. When that does nothing to wipe the negativity from his face, I add, “She’s fine. She’ll be on her feet in no time.”
“So you say,” he grumbles and rolls his eyes. “Why can’t I see her if she’s fine?” He makes air quotation-marks around fine, clearly not believing me.
Although I understand that he’s at his wit’s end, I’ve already explained why he has to wait. It’s not for my sake, I have no stake in it whatsoever. However, I’ve known Abel for many years, and I trust him when he says he needs time and space.
“You already know why,” I point out, trying to remain calm. “Gus was only stabilized a few days ago, and since then, Abel has kept them sedated to avoid raising suspicion while they waited for me. Nikolaos doesn’t trust his brother and already had arrangements in place in case something happened, and Abel will not go against his orders.”
“Yeah, but—”
I slam my fist into the glass table and interrupt Liam’s attempt to find a way around it. “No buts. Abel will honor his orders, even if it’s going to cost him his life. Don’t you think it’s a shitty way to thank him by interfering and forcing him to attack you?”
“He wouldn’t have to attack anyone,” Liam grunts.
“Of course he would. If you’re interfering with his orders, he’ll have to stop you or give up. Why am I even explaining this to you? I didn’t have you pegged as someone who’d give up, so what makes you think others would?”
Liam grunts again, but at least he looks less hostile now.
“Abel is old-school,” I say, wanting to clarify. “His family has pretty much always served a Drákon, and I don’t imagine he’ll ever take orders from anyone else. That means Acacia and her dad are the only ones who can command him, though I don’t think he’d ever listen to Alexander again, just like he won’t obey Gus. It’s not because he’s elitist or a jerk, he’s just…”
Liam’s lips quirk up in a half-smile as he repeats my words. “He’s just old-school.” I nod because there isn’t really anything else to say about the older man who’s loyal to a fault.
Silence spreads around us and even though we’re practically strangers—acquaintances, I suppose—it doesn’t feel awkward, like something that needs to be filled. That’s good because it gives me time to finally think about the claim, and everything that has happened since.
Somehow someone messed with the chalices. That’s the only way we could all have been poisoned. While Liam’s certain it was Marian, Nereid’s aunt, I’m not so sure. If that was the case, why kill the Leaders? So far, she’s only gone after Acacia, never once giving me or anyone else reason to believe she had any interest in my council.
I haven’t told Liam yet that Cia’s chalice was the only one that was meant to be laced. Sure, I don’t revel in the prospect of having to explain myself to him or anyone else, however, that’s not what’s holding me back. She should hear it from me first, and then it’s up to her what she wants to do with that information, at least as long as she only discusses it with her consort.
While I would have loved to spare her, I couldn’t—the Kronos Society demands that the female Ruler be tested. It’s a way to make sure the place isn’t given to someone weak and undeserving. Archaic and barbaric as it is, that doesn’t change the necessity. I’d already spared her from being fucked by the Leaders, and I know that was already stretching it, so there’s no way I could have gotten her out of the test. Odds are that if I’d tried, it would’ve harmed her more than helped her. People would’ve assumed her too weak, which couldn’t be further from the truth.
Wrong as it is, I couldn’t risk warning her, either. Not that there would have been a point, the outcome would have been the same. She’d still be poisoned when she least expected it, and when she was at her most vulnerable.
Regret makes my insides twinge as I do my best to back up my fucked up actions with reason of expectations and duty. The thing is, I know my nereid would have followed through with it even if she knew. She’s not one to back down. Whether that’s accredited to Nikolaos’ training or if she’s always been like that, I don’t know. It’s who she is, though.
“The families don’t know their respective Leader is dead, yet.” I have no idea why the hell I’m confiding in Liam now, though I can’t deny it feels good to finally talk with someone… normal? That might not be the best word for it, but it’s all I have right now. “As soon as we’ve all talked, the announcement needs to be made.”
Liam nods thoughtfully. “And what will that look like? What should I be expecting?”
“Chaos,” I sigh, unhappily. “Honestly, Liam, I don’t know. A new Leader will have to be found between the two Russo Heirs, Lupa and Remus—and the Hatts’ only Heir is Arthur, so they’ll need new Heirs when he becomes the new Leader. The next four or five months are going to be busy.” I add the last part as an afterthought. Since I’m pretty sure Liam doesn’t know it yet, I don’t mention that the Drákons also need a new Leader.
When a Leader dies it’s normal that the family will host funeral rites, although each family does it differently. The Russo family will cremate Romulus and his urn will be hidden in the crypt reserved for their Leaders. The Hatts will host a tournament, which is also how they find their Heirs. Arthur might want to kill two birds with one stone, though I doubt that. Where their funeral rites are private, each family needs to be present when a new Heir is found. And the Drákons… well, I guess Liam will see that soon enough.
“How long?” Liam asks, looking at his phone like he wants to be able to see the timeline.
“A month, each.” At my answer, my nereid’s consort inhales sharply and I get the feeling he wants to say something, but I don’t let him. “It’s hard to fathom how much work goes into wrapping things up, mourning, and preparing for a new Leader. Trust me, a month isn’t enough, it’s all I can give them, though.
Otherwise, each family’s Legacy will fall victim to mayhem. People will get ideas and try to take over instead of following the hierarchy.”
Finally looking at me, Liam raises an eyebrow. “Maybe that wouldn’t be such a bad thing.”
“Maybe not,” I admit, because he’s right. The way things are done now isn’t the right answer, it’s just the known. Before I can second guess myself, I give voice to some of the thoughts I’ve had. “As much as I’ll miss Uther and Romulus, I think the change will be good. Fresh blood, as they say, and a youthful perspective. I think that’s what we need.”
Just as I’m about to reach for the water on the table, I hear footsteps, followed by a whooshing sound, and without thinking, I throw myself to the floor. Liam is quick to do the same, and we both roll behind our chairs, intending to use them as a shield.
“Kairos Kronos, show your cowardly face!” A grin splits on Liam’s face, and he leaps back up so fast I barely register his movement. It takes me a moment to recognize the hoarse voice, but as soon as I do, I get up as well.
