Page 101 (1/2)

Next to Daxo and Sevro, both in their pries of war His beard has gone white He still blames himself

for Pax’s abduction It has not been an easy road to recovery for him, but he favors me with a smile “Niobe is off to Mars to rendezvous with our house fleets and the Ecliptic Guard,” he says “She sends her love, and she’ll see you through the fires of the Annihilo”

“And the bodies,” Sevro says “Never forget the kindling”

“Of course! The bodies,” Kavax says “Sevro, could you fetch s ache”

“Slag off, old man I’m not a servant I’m a terrorist war—”

“Now!” Kavax booms “It’s just outside the Crescent Vault Fetch it or Sophocles will bite you!”

“Byyourto himself, Sevro humors the old man and leaves the Sphere He appears a ain

The two Telemanuses wait for him to reappear When he doesn’t, they joinThraxa home,” I tell Kavax “I will keep that promise”

Kavax glances once s I doubt in this world,” he replies in his luxurious private tone Intelligence radiates fro ruse “The constitution of Obsidian virtues, the raiene, my violence on behalf of your father,me for life”—he adopts his public face—“to join in union a doddering madman! Weird woman! Addled in the wits! Madness! Absolute madness!” His internal cleverness reclaiustus” He cups my face “Daxo told me what you did with Dancer What you did with Sevro You never get the credit you deserve, htened of what they do not understand I’ve hidden myself for so many years—from Nero, from the world But you never have That is a bravery I cannot understand You are good, my dear You are patient when it is not in your nature You are attentive when you are taken for granted You are kind when the world insists it is convenient to be cruel You are good True good Victra will bring Pax back I know this You will save your husband You deserve this day”

I nod, knowing there’s much work left to do

“No, look at me, child” He turns my chin so that I look deep into the eyes underneath those tangled eyebrows “It has possessed hts You deserve this day You deserve this joy You deserve this proof that your faith is not just right, but necessary”

I find s you know, but when revealed to be known by others can make the world shine in a peculiar way I feel seen, as only my husband has ever seen ingI’ve been too busy to see Kavax Or htened to see hi hi in jealousy Always ive us the moment

“Will you co away

“No,” Kavax says “No, I ao to the sea with Sophocles I don’t like the Citadel without Niobe” He takes Sophocles back fro this one a swiressive the little prince gets Yes, he does Yes, he does Shit in my shoes! In my closet! Everywhere!” He open-mouth kisses the fox, who takes perhaps too much enjoyment from it

“But ill have dinner tonight at my estate A family dinner For my son”—he sets a hand on Daxo’s shoulder—“who has done himself proud, resurrected his family’s honor, and whom I could not be happier for Except if he found a wife! I want babies to ride Sophocles! Or a husband!” He covers Sophocles’s ears “Cloning is always an option, rehter will come too”—he looks at me—“for she has been the twinkle in my eye since that summer she joined our family” Sevro appears in the door “The sea!” Kavax booo”