Awari’s back stiffened, “What message does my esteemed mother have for me.”

Niah narrowed her rich, rust colored eyes at Awari, searching for any sign of disrespect in his tone. Unsatisfied in her failed attempt to find anything to nitpick about him, she took a long sip from her teacup. She sighed and set the teacup down, folding her hands on her lap, evaluating Awari once more. Finding him lacking but unable to voice how she sighed once more and finally got down to business.

“Your mother thinks you have been lying in wait long enough. It’s time you stepped back out onto the political scene. Connect with your mother’s allies, find ways to get rid of her enemies, until enough of the court is behind you and she can retake the throne.”

Awari laughed darkly, pinching the bridge of his nose, “And how does she suggest I do that? I’m barely a lord anymore. With my background I have no right to participate in court. And with how closely Elazar’s party is keeping an eye on me, even after 3 years, there’s no way I can fraternize with court nobles without having my motives called into question.”

“There is an extremely simple way...” Niah sighed... again, picking her teacup up once more for another sip, frowning when she found it empty. “I can’t believe a brilliant woman like Aurelia gave birth to an idiot like you.”

With his eye twitching, Awari prompted her to continue, “Please, enlighten me.”

Niah’s dark red lips quirked up in a smile. She answered with a single, devastating word, “Marriage.”

With timing that was hard to classify as fortunate or unfortunate, Kiaris came into the parlour. Awari couldn’t help but glance at him, his heart hurting. Looking back at Niah’s somewhat smug face, Awari resolutely replied, “No.”

Niah held her teacup out in Kiaris’s direction, “Another cup, please. And more blood this time, Kiaris darling.”

Support the creativity of authors by visiting Royal Road for this novel and more.

Kiaris gingerly took the cup from Niah’s hand and bowed, gliding away with small, quick steps, leaving without saying a single word.

Niah held a hand out in front of her, inspecting her sharp, blood-red nails as she spoke. “It’s not that I dislike Kiaris, in fact I find him quite charming and much more sensible than you. But you can’t hesitate to get properly married over an affair with a human man...”

Kiaris returned and went to stand by Niah’s chair, a steaming cup in his hands. When Niah reached out to take it, Kiaris spoke in a voice barely above a whisper, his head lowered, “If you must pursue a political marriage I understand. Your mother’s vision is more important than my personal feelings.”

Niah nodded, her smug smile growing, “See. Much more sensible than you.”

Ignoring Niah, Awari reached out for Kiaris, half standing out of his chair in order to grab Kiaris’s small, warm hand. He craned his neck in an attempt to look up at Kiaris’s lowered face. Before he could find Kiaris’s features behind the sheet of white hair, Kiaris darted forward, quick and playful as a little white rabbit, and planted a kiss on Awari’s slightly open and unsuspecting lips.

Kiaris smiled brightly at the surprised Awari, “It’s not like we’ll be separated. I will set aside jealousy for the greater good.

Awari sighed and slowly sat back down. He didn’t let go of Kiaris’s hand and thus pulled him closer as he lowered himself back down on the small couch. “Kiaris isn’t the only reason I said no, Lady Niah.” With one hand, Awari idly rubbed his thumb over Kiaris’s knuckles. With the other, he massaged his temple. “You overestimate my marriage prospects.” Awari closed his dark eyes tiredly, “What good family would marry their daughters down to me. My position is powerless and unfavorable and my birth is cursed, my true father unknown.” He opened his eyes once more to look at Kiaris, “And it’s not like I could seduce a lady into marrying me for love. I have not the talents or charms for it, not even mentioning that my heart lies with a man.”

“You were a prince, Awari. All you need to do is convince them you will be one again.”

Awari tore his eyes away from Kiaris to look at Niah, “And how do you suggest I do that?”

Niah took a long, slow sip, “Well I can’t do everything for you now, can I?” She set her cup down and stood up, “I shall take my leave now.”