“I am always expecting trouble.”
“And paranoid,” Aurion added helpfully. “You’re very paranoid.”
“It is not paranoia if they are actually trying to kill you.”
“Has anyone tried to kill you recently?”
“Not recently, but it is early.” I resumed pacing. “The night is young. Plenty of time for assassination attempts.”
“So optimistic,” Aurion said.
Daphne stood, crossing to me with her hands raised. “Maybe try being less doom and gloom?”
“No.” I checked the positions of my guards mentally, feeling each one through the pack bond. Extra security at every entrance. Patrols doubled. Torin stationed to stay close to Wen and Killian. “I am not changing my approach now.”
“Here’s what you do,” Aurion said, sitting up slightly. “Smile, nod, agree with everyone.”
I stared at him. “That is the worst advice I have ever heard in my entire life.”
“It works for me.”
“That’s because you don’t actually make any decisions,” Daphne pointed out. “He lately has just been following whatever the council says. Luckily, they’re always right.”
“Exactly.” Aurion grinned. “Very low stress. I highly recommend it.”
“You are king of Noctherion.”
“And I delegate beautifully.”
“To whom?”
“Anyone who looks competent.” He shrugged. “I have excellent instincts for competence.”
I turned to Daphne. “How do you tolerate him?”
“Alcohol,” she said immediately, a snort escaping her. “So much alcohol.”
Despite everything, I felt the corner of my mouth twitch. My brother was entertaining sometimes.
“I have tripled security,” I told them, moving to the window. Guests were already arriving in the courtyard below. “Torin will stay close to Wen and Killian throughout the evening.”
“You trust him that much?” Aurion asked.
Torin was good with them. Better than good.
“He is one of my most trusted guards.” I watched a carriage pull up, Crescentborn’s banner on the side. “I would trust him with my life. More importantly, with theirs.”
“That’s actually very sweet,” Daphne said.
“Do not tell anyone I said that.”
“Too late, I’m definitely telling Wen.”
“Daphne-”
“She’ll think it’s cute.”
“I am not cute. I am an apex predator.”
