Chapter Thirty-Five

“Good timing, we just finished breakfast,” Lynir spoke with a smile as he opened the door of his home. He looked between Rel and Jysel, then to me. “He’s calmed some, but I think it would be best if you spoke with him alone.”

I nodded. “That’s fine. Rel and Jysel did mention on the way here that they had something they needed to do…?”

“It can wait until a new escort arrives.” Rel crossed his arms.

Jysel followed suit. “I’m not budging ‘til Casair and his choice of soldiers get here.”

“Riiight.” I shrugged and turned my attention back to Lynir. “Lead the way?”

“Be patient with him.” Lynir eyed me as we walked deeper into his home. “He is…how should I say this… A street rat who was adopted by another queen and groomed to become heir to the clan. You could say he is what Rel and Jysel would have become if their mother succeeded.”

“Except he likely felt great loyalty to his adoptive mother…and perhaps betrayal?” I murmured, earning a nod in response. “I’ll be patient, but I can’t claim I’ll be gentle. I’m struggling to balance Syldran honesty with tact.”

Lynir smiled. “I’m sure you’ll be fine.”

After a moment, I grimaced. “Isn’t he, or rather, wasn’t her husband, though?”

“Ah, forgive me for my lack of clarity.” Lynir swiftly shook his head. “I meant to say that he was adopted by a queen other than Citomy. That woman offered Suisuni to Citomy as a…gift. Citomy is quite close with several queens in the Celestial Houses, including Suisuni’s adoptive mother. They are all quite…”

“Cut from the same cloth?” I offered when Lynir hesitated.

“An apt description, yes.” Lynir made a disgusted face. “They all play by the same ‘rules’ when it comes to raising their offspring. I’ve heard rumors that they all—including Citomy—picked up their awful ways from somewhere else, but I have yet to find from where.”

“And why is that?” I prompted with a slight frown. “You’re so resourceful, it’s hard to believe you’ve been left wanting for answers.”

Lynir shot me a half smile. “Most people don’t recall anything about Citomy’s predecessor, nor anything about those who taught her when she was young. Even by our standards she is quite old, and she has outlived most who knew her as a young woman. Likely by design.”

“I see…” I frowned. “Then, be careful.”

We fell silent as he led me toward a sitting room on the second floor, then led me into the room. Suisuni looked as though he’d managed some sleep, and his eyes were focused on a data pad until Lynir called his attention.

The moment Suisani spotted me, his jaw slackened, and he set his data pad aside, rushing to kneel on one knee. Lynir shrugged and made his way out, closing the door behind him.

“Suisuni, please don’t grovel,” I spoke in a calm, level tone and watched as he seemed to struggle to understand my meaning. If even that made him wary of ulterior motives, then we had our work cut out for us.

“My queen, I’m not certain I heard you correctly…” Suisuni hesitated, shrinking in place as if expecting to be struck.

“The only people I would want to grovel before me would be enemies or violent criminals begging for mercy. As far as I’m aware, you’re neither.” I watched his head snap up to meet my gaze, his expression one of shock. He promptly rose to his feet, and I smiled, motioning to his seat. “Sit or stand, whichever you’re more comfortable with.”

And with that, I took a seat across from him and waited. Again, he struggled with himself before delicately taking a seat. It seemed to me that he was convinced my words were a trap, and I wasn’t sure how to combat that issue.

“What is it you wish of me?” Suisuni asked after a moment, his perplexed expression finally coming to rest on me. “You neither confirmed nor denied if you find me pleasing, but your answers to me yesterday were truthful. I’m not certain what to think.”

Well, at least he’s being direct. That should help. I nodded faintly. “I was hoping to discuss what it is you would like to do within the clan—if you even wish to stay in it. I’m not familiar with Syldran customs, and that comes with challenges.”

Suisuni looked ready to panic for a moment, but steadied himself and asked, “Do you…not want me in your clan because I make you think of Citomy?”

“If I can provide the environment you crave, then I want you to stay—if I can’t offer you what you need, then I would want to help you find someone who can,” I answered, meeting his searching gaze. “My concern is making certain anyone within my clan—under my care—is taken care of and can pursue their interests freely. If people are missing something in their lives, or they simply don’t agree with my methods and/or beliefs, I would want them to go somewhere they can be happier.”

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Suisuni’s gaze dropped to the floor as he mulled over my words. It took a few minutes before he spoke again, “Then, you should know your binding of me is incomplete. I like what you are saying, but Citomy…” His expression contorted with worry as he met my gaze again. “Please bind me properly.”

Is he suggesting that she… I searched his face, then resolved to do as he asked. Standing, I quietly approached him and watched as he bowed his head, waiting for me to place my hand on him. “You’re sure?”

“Please,” Suisuni whispered, sounding alarmingly frightened.

I placed my hand on his head, resolved, and concentrated. This time, I felt something shatter before my aetheric signature ‘slid’ into place and fully marked him as a member of my court.

“You…actually did it.” Suisuni looked up, staring at me in disbelief. “You shattered Citomy’s binding. Just who are you?”

I gave him a crooked smile. “That’s one question I don’t have the answer to, because I don’t know either. Now that’s done, you were saying…?”

Suisuni clenched his fists in his lap. “Citomy intended for me to act as a spy within your clan. I was to report every little detail of your clan and constellation to her, and search for any sign of Depthwalker or Abysstouched interference. She doesn’t want them halting or stubbing your growth.”

“My growth?” I echoed.

“Jalan-ki Citomy is…bored, sadistic, and her sanity is in question,” Suisuni began slowly. “She wants more queens to challenge her, and she recognized that you have the potential to offer her a true contest. Her…her favorite thing in the universe is killing queens—if they challenge her position, she can do so legally.

“However, she also wishes for daughters. She is hoping that Rel and Jysel will give you many hatchlings, so that she can…take their mother out of the picture and raise them into daughters of her own. We don’t know why she so desperately wants daughters who can become queens…but if…if…”

“You think it may be for more queens to hunt and kill.” I grimaced, and he nodded. “Won’t she try to punish you for not reporting?”

“She will have sensed our bond break. She will know I’m no longer under her sway—but she won’t think I’ve told you anything. You cut through every chain she put on me…but only the binding is one she can sense.”

“We should still be cautious. I doubt it will take long for her to realize I’m not like the other queens,” I remarked, eyeing Suisuni. He looked reinvigorated; just how much influence had her residual bond exerted? “What is it you would like to do within the clan, Suisuni?”

He blinked at me. “A role…ah… If I may be so bold, I believe you will need me. In my capacity as Citomy’s First Husband, I was her political interface with most of the Celestial Houses. Promoting a queen as ‘new’ as you to a position within the Houses is unheard of—I believe my experience is why she sent me to you.”

“I…have a position?” I frowned. “Aren’t all queens….?”

“Abyss no!” Suisuni exclaimed. “Only queens with clans are eligible. You are, in human terms, a senator but without a system or landmass to your name. If other clans come to you with offers of any kind…you are woefully unprepared. I would happily lend my assistance.” Then, he hesitated, searching my face, “If I…if I may, you said something about following my passions…”

“I did,” I confirmed with a nod.

“Then, might I request my ‘payment’ come in the form of a place, and the equipment, for me to pursue my artistic interests in my free time?” Suisuni asked hopefully, tears coming to his eyes, to my surprise. “I… It’s been so long since I last played an instrument, let alone held one or was allowed to own one. I-I’ve kept composing, my neurochip has storage for sheet music at least, but…” His tears began to fall, but he made no attempt to hide or wipe them. “Please. Even if I may only have one instrument to begin with…”

“I will do what I can,” I answered with a small smile, though internally I felt an inferno of rage welling up. How could someone forbid him from pursuing his music? Noting his worried expression, I added, “Why don’t we go ask Lynir, Rel, and Jysel together? I don’t know how much room is left here in Nulan-kyrd, or the relevant artisans.”

His eyes brightened, a look of recognition spreading across his face. “Yes, yes of course! I would like the opportunity to explain myself to them personally as well. Rel and Jysel are unlikely to trust me.”

“They’re downstairs, shall we?” I motioned to the door, and Suisuni nodded. With that decided, I led him down to where the trio was chatting. They looked up questioningly when they noticed us approaching. “Suisuni wants to explain himself personally, and he has a request that you can answer better than I can.”

With that, Suisuni explained the situation with his binding, Citomy’s orders, and the role he wished to take in my court. Lynir handed me a cup of tea while I waited for them to finish rehashing everything.

“We’ll ‘interface’ with other parties together,” Rel stated, causing Suisuni to shrink back. “I still run Clan V’shir. However, having two politically savvy individuals means we can play off each other and leverage in ways one of us alone could not.

“As for your requested accommodations, Jysel and I will look for a suitable place later today.”

“I think I can help with equipment,” Lynir remarked, tapping his chin with one finger. “Several people within the clan have the necessary skills for building instruments. We can take a look at their work, Suisuni, and see if the quality and aesthetics meet yourneeds. Once we find a craftsman you like, we can arrange trade of goods, services, or i’jahlti—with Elara’s permission, of course.”

“Run the price by Rel to make certain it’s within reason. I wouldn’t want to accidentally break the bank.” I took a sip of my tea before continuing, “What shall I do while you’re all busy? Do you still think I should make some rounds?”

Rel nodded. “We need to determine how soon a formal address is needed. Our polls suggested before that the majority here favor you. How they’re taking this sudden change, however, is another matter. Considering a change and having it thrust upon them are two very different things.”

“Okay. Then, I think we all have our tasks? Ah—and let’s give Suisuni’s neurochip a good looking-over for harmful data. Maybe print out his sheet music first, to be safe?” I glanced at the purple Syldrari in question. “That is, if you’re okay with that.”

Suisuni bowed in his seat. “Yes, of course. If my music is made safe first, I will submit to whatever scans and tests you wish.”

Lynir nodded. “That settles it, then. Once Elara’s escort arrives, we’ll all go our separate ways for the afternoon.”