Leía fell silent, allowing Flavian to process this information.
Leander stared resolutely at a very uninteresting painting of Saeren’s skyline.
“Was the king murdered, then?” Flavian asked, his voice the epitome of concern.
Leía looked up, meeting her once-lover’s gaze. “Some say he was murdered, others claim it was death by natural causes.”
“You’re telling me the pantheon doesn’t know? Can Serai not commune with the king?”
“If she knows, which I don’t think she does, she hasn’t shared her knowledge.”
Flavian’s expression was grave. “What do you believe?”
Leía sighed and leaned back in her chair. “I’m not sure. There are whispers of foul play… but the king was old and frail. It is not uncommon for even rulers to succumb to illness. There are some things even the most accomplished physicians cannot heal.”
“True,” Flavian conceded, his brow furrowing in thought. “But considering current political tensions, one can’t help but wonder if there’s more to it.”
Leía nodded. “Indeed. Perhaps with time we will be able to delve deeper into this mystery.” She hesitated andLeander knew she was weighing her words and considering voicing her thoughts. “I suspect… Leander is reckless but not completely irresponsible in thought or deed. There must be another involved somehow. Some purpose behind the lie Leander told.”
“I see,” was all Flavian said after a few moments.
“Do you?”
His father nodded as Leander turned, finally giving up on his feigned disinterest in the conversation and deciding to watch it unfold. The worst was over anyway.
“Why not just undo the lie? Just take it back.”
“The Nine do not believe in meddling in mortal affairs…”
“But this is not solely a mortal problem. Divinity is already involved. Leander is divine and is responsible.”
“Leander is divine no longer. And even if he was, his… lie… was simply too powerful for him to undo on his own. He did a very good job, too good. A lie of this scale would need an extraordinary amount of divine intervention. Having Leander apologise and, ah, ‘take it back’ would not suffice.”
“And you want me to… what?”
“Two things,” Leía said with a grimace. “First, keep Prince Jarryn safe.”
“The king required no convincing to give Prince Jarryn asylum.”
Leía nodded as if she expected no less. “Second, watch over Leander as he learns to navigate his new mortal life.”
Flavian glanced at his son. “This punishment from the Nine, is it permanent?”
“For the time being.”
“So it can, and may, be undone?”
“If Leander is found worthy, yes.”
“I see.” Flavian repeated. He tapped his fingers against the armrest of his chair as he gazed at his former, one-time lover, clearly unsure as to what to make of the situation and how to handle it. “I don’t want him,” he finally said.
“Pardon?” Leía said after a long moment of silence passed.
“He’s not welcome here.”
“He’s your son.”
“By blood, yes. But by any other measurement of relationship, he has only one parent. He’s not my problem.”
