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When they were alone, Richard refilled his glass and Michael’s with bloodwine Perfor the task of a servant was beneath hi he had not been able to do physically incondition often bedeviled hihts--but such s able to hold the neck of a wine bottle or the stereat deal of secret pleasure

"You appear lass Richard had filled "When Alexandra sees the progress you have made, she will be pleased"

"We had a brief interlude in the hall yesterday, your sygkenis and I Pleased is not the term I would use to describe her reception of lass After two lifeti but cat’s blood, the blend still tasted odd to hiainst these Brethren attacks"

"I would welcoent defense, my lord," Cyprien said "As I will, as soon as I hear one"

Richard had long regarded Michael Cyprien as the son he would never have He knew that he indulged the other man’s temper and independence too often Sometimes, as today, the fleece of Michael’s diplomacy did not always conceal the wolf beneath it

"You should re is to coainst does notin a deree to blindly endorse the opinions of the majority However inconvenient arded as equal in value to those of the others"

Richard sat down "I forget how little time you actually spent in my courts Politics are not about what is fair or just or even logical They are the tools of those ish to acquire influence, power, and control Soh lord after me Hoill you rule over all the Kyn if you are obsessed with ht?"

"I have no desire for your throne, my lord," Cyprien said stiffly "I am content with my rule, such as it is"

Richard was amused "That saucy wench has done rand ambitions as well Whatever you may say, I intend to formally naainst all of neurs"

Cyprien inclined his head "Then I think you must choose another successor, my lord"

"You have ruled over your lords paraination You have not hesitated to take up the sword and lead your warriors to battle when peaceful ainst Stoss, and again in South Florida when Farel went mad and Lucan attempted to carry out my orders and assassinate me" Richard stretched his mouth in an approximation of a human smile "You have the spine for it, Michael"

Someone chuckled "But not the belly"

Richard turned to see that two Kyn had entered the roo a motorcycle helirl with a head full of silvery white curls, eyed them with more reserve

"Gabriel, Nicola" Michael went to the and bowing to his sygkenis "Braxtyn told us to expect you in a few days"

"We had to get our cargo out of Spain," Nick said, turning tobetter, Va"

"Thank you, my dear" Since Richard’s wife had butchered Nicola Jefferson’s parents as well as changed the young human to Darkyn, he did not object to her informal address "How many were you able to recover?"

"Fourteen," Gabriel said "One died during the crossing Another three ht"