No one was paying them any mind as they ate, their quiet conversation lost amidst the bustle of breakfast.
Still, she whispered when she asked, “Why especially?”
“Our grandfather, Stennyx, wasn’t fucking right,” Magnus answered around a mouthful.
“Unwellwould be the preferred term, little brother.” Vann gave his shoulder a squeeze. “He was sick according to dad, not a true monster.”
She’d heard a bit about Emperor Stennyx’s madness after the delivery of the Shadow Prophecy, but details were few and far between, and before her time.
“When our father seized the throne from him, he was going the way of the old ones—using his power as emperor for things he shouldn’t, ruling with fear and an iron fist. There was an incident… Fuck, many incidents.” Brand loosed a heavy sigh. “Things are touchier than they used to be. I honestly can’t remember the last time all seven of us were in the same room.”
“Shite.” Magnus shook his head, eyes to the table. “I can’t remember the last timethreeof us were in the same room.”
“And thank the weepingeverythingfor that. You’re only trouble when you’re together.” Caius plopped down onto the bench next to Magnus with a wink and nodded toward Emperor Alwyn’s letter. “I’ve got one as well, but you’ll be going in my stead.”
“Ach, lucky bastard!”
Caius pointed across the table at Thad. “You’re in enough shite as it is, lad. I’ll not be setting you free to wreak havoc on the Plateau as well.”
“You mean it, uncle?”
The instant Magnus had seen the letter’s wording after its arrival—calling on the High Ambassadors to gather—he’d been subdued. The light in his eyes now, the hope, opened a crack in Lunara’s heart.
“Aye. One of us has to stay away or Bordoroth will revolt, and I’m embroiled in the Glynmor mess with Lyriat. I’ll send a message with you explaining things, not to worry.”
“You don’t want to see him?” Magnus asked quietly. “It’s been a long time.”
Brand tensed beside her, and his anticipation came running down the bond with a twist of trepidation, an uptick in his pulse.
It was tragic, really, how little communication went on between the Imperials. The wall between them, built with the mortar of realms and duties. She was realizing little-by-little that, while they were close, they were also worlds apart at the same time.
They’d known nothing of Meliora until she’d come along. Brand hadn’t had an inkling of Magnus’s project in Glynmor. No one seemed to think anything was off with Vann, and none of them knew what ailed him. That was just off the top of her head. It was making her feel a bit loony, if she was honest.
Caius got a far away look in his eyes. “Aye, more than a year.” He scrubbed a hand over his face. “I’m not sure I’ll ever be ready for the questions he’ll be wanting to ask. And with everything that’s happened, reminding me… Go on and be with your brothers, lad.”
He stood with a clap to Magnus’s back and lumbered off, barking at Thad to follow.
Thad backed away with pleading hands. “I’m begging you, Lunara. Hide me in your bags. Turn me into a kitten. Anything. I’ll owe you forever.”
Lunara giggled. “You know better now, remember?”
He groaned, eyes scrunching shut. “Why’d you have to go and talk me into being more? I was perfectly happy before.”
“No, you weren’t.”
His answering sigh was really more of a whine.
“Thaddeus!”
“Shite.” He jolted at his father’s bellowing and turned on his heel, calling over his shoulder, “Think about it anyway, aye?”
They watched him go, but it was Vann who turned around first and said, “Alright, who’s betting for and who’s betting against him showing up at Argoph?” He reached into his long jacket, removed a jangling pouch, and peered inside as he sifteda finger through the contents. “Twenty—no,nineteen—storm seeds says he’s there before supper’s finished.”
Magnus gaped. “You charge us out of the arsehole for those, and now you’re giving them away?”
Vann shrugged. “I had them on me. Along with a lot of other things. Not that it matters, because you’re going to lose.”
“Ach, fuck off. He shows up tonight, and I’ll tattoo your name on my arse.”
