Alex, flanked by his little entourage, followed the woman to what he recognized as the sitting room where he’d been welcomed on his first night.

The woman stopped them as they came to the door. “I shall announce you.”

She left them, returned a moment later, and motioned for them to enter. Then, she bowed her way out and left them alone with Eli, and four of her stone-faced guards, to whom she waved. “Leave us.”

The guards hesitated, and she rounded on them. “Stand outside the door if you must,” she snapped. “But leave us.”

The guards stopped hesitating and started following her orders, leaving them alone. Eli collapsed into a chair, rubbing her eyes, looking sad and tired, and harried.

He grabbed the seat next to her and took her hand. “You look like shit.”

She chuckled and squeezed his hand. “Then I’m happy to report. I look how I feel.” She sighed and shook her head, “I haven’t slept since last night, and this evening I spoke before Parliament and announced that the vicinity of the capital is to be placed under martial law.”

“Which brings me to why I called you here; you should go home,” she said.

Alex looked around at the women in the room, who watched him expectantly. “No,” he said. “I’m staying.”

Eli sighed. “Alex, you’re not safe here, clearly, and the Palace is closed to strangers; you can’t start your project anyway and-”

“I’m not abandoning you,” he said. “And taking the support of your family when you need it the most.”

“My family?” She seemed legitimately shocked, but he just nodded.

“That’s how you’ve treated us, my women and me; why were you so adamant you speak to us without your guards?” he asked.

She smiled and shook her head. “Because I wanted a moment alone with my family.” I could force you to go; it’s within my power. Perhaps I should, but if you’ll permit me a bit of selfishness, I don’t want to.”

“Then don’t,” he said, “I want to be here for you, no matter how little I can do.”

Eli shook her head. “It’s quite a lot, more than enough. Thank you.”

He slung an arm over her shoulder and pulled her close. Thanks for letting me stay.”

She licked his cheek and leaned against him. “You know,” she murmured, quite enough he was sure no one else could hear. “I always knew Lisril was smart, but I never figured her for canny.”

He snorted. “Has that woman been telling tales on me?”

She giggled. “No, but I take it you’ve expressed a similar sentiment.”

“The same sentiment, actually,” he said.

“Well, great minds.”

She straightened and stood. “I need a drink, and I’d like to share it with my family. If you’ll stay with me a moment.”

“Of course,” Lisril said. “We’re always happy to visit with you.”

Eli went to her cabinet, and Lisril pulled him close. “That was very well said,” she whispered.

“Just doing what’s right.”

She kissed him. “You’ve no idea how endearing that sense of justice is.”

“It’s nothing special, but thank you.”

Eli returned and poured the drinks. “So,” Rosslln said. “Does this mean I’m marrying the Empress?”

“I’ll consider it,” Eli laughed, sitting; she downed her glass in one go.

“Lisril,” she said. “Iiandere is here, and I think will be pleased to speak with you and- obligated to speak to you, Serra.”

Serra scowled. “I’m sure she will be; did it have to be her?”

“She’s the right one for the job, and you know it,” Eli said.

“Who’s Iiandere?” he asked. “Why is my fiancée so upset?”

“It’s nothing; we just don’t get along,” Serra said.

He didn’t like that answer, so he pressed further. “Why?”

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She shook her head. “We just don’t.”

It seemed she was going to give him any more, and though he considered pressing harder, but he didn’t want to make her feel backed into a corner, so, for the moment, he let it drop. “Eli, you said you’d declared martial law; is that necessary?”

“If it weren’t, I wouldn’t have done it,” Eli said. “But this was an act of treason, committed in my own palace; had I done nothing, it would have been interpreted as weakness, and things would only get worse.”

He nodded slowly; it occurred to him that he really had no concept of what it must be like to be in a position of such authority. “Eli?”

She turned to him. “Yes?”

“Do you like being the Empress?”

She seemed taken off guard. “I-” She shook her head. “I’ve never considered that; I am the Empress, so what does it matter if I like it? All I can do is try to do my name honor.”

He nodded, wanting desperately to help bear her burden but afraid he’d never know how. “Are you worried about-” He gestured widely. “All this trouble.”

“Of course,” she said. “But you will be protected, and the Empire will survive.”

“Intact?”

She was silent for a moment. “You don’t need to worry about that.”

“But I do,” he said.

“Why?” she demanded.

“Because you’re my friend, because it would hurt your position, and because Nyx needs a unified front for what’s coming.”

“He’s right,” Lisril spoke up. “And you know it.”

“Then what would you suggest? If you’ve some idea, then let’s hear it,” Eli demanded.

The room was silent, and Eli stood, turning away from them.

“You know,” Alex said. “there’s always confederation.”

Eli turned, frowning. “We’ve already ratified the articles.”

“No.” Alex shook his head. “That’s not what I mean; you could join the union, the Federation.”

Her eyes widened. “Subjugate my Empire?”

“I wouldn’t call it subjugation,” Alex said. “We’ve learned that localism is the only answer for an interplanetary society to work. You’d have to make certain concessions, but we don’t really care if the executive is an elected official, the CEO of a company, or a hereditary monarch. And if you’re willing, you’ll have the full backing of the Federation.”

“Eli,” Lisril said. “Your mother created a single Nyx; you could be remembered as the Empress who reunited us with our other half. A single Dyranti.”

Eli shook her head. “It’s something to consider,” she said at last. “I’ll examine the idea in more depth later.”

He nodded and stood, taking her hand. “Whatever you decide,” he said. “I’m behind you.”

She turned and smiled at him. “Are you sure?” she asked. “After you insisted Lisril renounce Nyx out of love of your homeland?”

“I’m a patriot,” he said. “But you’re family; besides, a strong Nyx is good for Earth.”

“Family,” she said softly, then. “I want you to take me to Earth.”

He looked around, half expecting the camera crew to jump out. “Now?”

Eli stared for a moment. “No, what? No! Not now, obviously, but I want to see Earth as it is, not a curated tour of your capital.”

“Oh, well, I’ll see what I can do,” he said.

She nodded. “Good, good. I need- my Aunt is going to expect me to meet with her, and soon… I’d like you to come with me.”

“Are you sure?” he asked. “That seems like the sort of thing you’d want-”

“What I want is a little support from my family in this time,” she said.

“Then, of course, I’ll come with you,” he said.

“Serra.” Eli turned to her. “I have a task for you; it will be difficult.”

“Whatever you need,” she said.

“Good,” Eli nodded. “Someone let that assassin in; you’re the keeper of the palace records; I want you to work with Iiandere to discover who that might be.”

“That will be a challenge,” she sighed. “But it’s for my man, as much as my country, so how can I say no?”

“I’d like to help too,” Rosslln said, looking around.

“It sounds like you have something in mind, so let’s hear it,” Lisril said.

“Well,” she hesitated. “I know some girls, who’re probably wondering where I’ve gone by now, actually. They’re not- very friendly with the guard, but we hear things, ‘specially when we listen. Something like this, an assassination in the Empress’ own palace….”

“Speak with Iiandere,” Eli said. “If you think these ladies would work with the inquisition.”

Alex sat, smiling at Rosslln. “You didn’t tell me about these friends of yours; I’d like to meet them.”

“Well, it’s more like-” She shook her head. “We just gather together for protection… but if you want to, that is, if Lisril will allow it.” She scratched her nose. “They’re gonna be jealous.”

“No, you should stay here,” Eli said.

“I’m not going to live in Fear, Eli,” he said.

“You could be killed.”

He shrugged. “freedom is risk; besides, you’re not God; you can’t guarantee my safety regardless. It would be insane if I asked you to try.”

“Lisril, talk sense to your husband,” Eli scoffed

The older woman nodded. “I’m going with you, of course.”

“Lisril!”

“He has a legal right,” Lisril said. “To go where he pleases and to expect my protection as he goes.”

“It would be easier if he stayed here,” Eli said.

“Yes.” Lisril took his hand, pulling it to her lips. “And easier still if I locked him in a cellar and fed him through a slot in the door.”

She looked pointedly at the younger woman. “But he is my husband, not my prisoner; one would expect you, of all people, to understand the distinction.”

Eli sighed. “Then I’m coming too.”

“There now,” Lisril said. “Was being a woman so hard?”

“I’m learning that it is,” Eli grumbled.

“I don’t want to cause any problems,” Rosslln said.

“You’re not,” Alex countered. “I am, and I’m a man, so I’m allowed.”

The young woman rewarded him with a laugh. “You seem good at it anyway.”

He grinned. “Thanks, Sweetheart.”

“Alex,” Lisril said. “Serra and I should go speak with Iiandere, but you weren’t requested; why don’t you stay here with Eli and Rosslln?”

He frowned. “Are you sure?”

“I think it would be for the best,” Serra said. “no reason to complicate things; leave the matter to your wives.”

“I don’t like it,” he said.

Lisril drew him into a kiss, smiled. “I know,” she said. “But Serra’s quite right. You weren’t called, and so far as the inquisitor is concerned, you aren’t entitled to make a statement. We, your wives, are the responsible parties; we will take care of this for you.”

He hated it, but he also got the impression that that was the end of the conversation. “Alright,” he sighed. “Come back to me soon, okay?”

She put a hand on his shoulder, squeezed tight. “Nothing could keep me away.”

She stood and went to Serra. “Are you ready?”

“Not really,” the woman said. “But there’s no use putting it off.”

She turned to Eli. “She’ll be in the usual office?”

“Yes, good luck,” Eli said.

“Who knows,” Serra said, standing and taking a long moment to stretch. “Maybe age has mellowed her.”

“I wouldn’t bet on it,” Lisril said. “Come on, stop stalling.”

His archivist nodded, subdued. “You’re right; let’s get it over with.”

“Really though,” he said as the door closed behind them. “What’s the story there?”