“Sounds like you’ve already made your choice.”
“Not quite. I’m hyper-aware of what those choices are. I mean, there is a third choice, which is going back home without being the Earth-drow monarch but still knowing what I know. It won’t be the same as before, but I won’t be wearing a damn crown, that’s for sure.”
Ember laughed. “Now that I’d like to see.”
“Sorry, Em. Not gonna happen.” Cheyenne looked at the ceiling and brushed loose hair away from her face. “The only thing I know is that I’m not gonna be the Crown here. That’s just too much. I don’t want it, and I can’t leave my mom behind.”
“What, you don’t think she’d follow you across the Border and find herself a cozy little tower?”
They burst out laughing. At least we can still find the parts of this to laugh about. Her smile faded.
“I still need to find someone to be the new Crown over here. I’m not leaving this place in a giant power vacuum, and I have less than two weeks to figure out who the hell that’s gonna be.”
“Maybe your cousin will want the throne.”
“My what?” Cheyenne sat up and frowned at her friend, then made the connection. “Oh. Jesus, that’s weird.”
“Should I call him Ba’rael’s secret heir instead?”
“Very funny. I don’t know what’s gonna happen with him, Em. If he’s anything like me, he won’t want to be a part of this either, and if he’s anything like either of our parents, he’s not the right drow for the job.”
Ember leaned sideways against the lounge and pursed her lips in thought. “Or maybe the right drow for the job isn’t a drow.”
“What, do you want it?”
“Ha. Nice try.”
“Didn’t think so.” Cheyenne kicked off her black Vans and crossed one ankle over the other, lacing her fingers behind her head. “I guess we’ll just have to find out.”
“You don’t seem like you’re in much of a hurry.”
“I’m not. Not right now. Tomorrow’s a whole different story.” And L’zar sure as hell better keep his word. A talk, or I don’t think I’ll be able to hold back.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Maleshi poured herself a glass of Bloodshine and took a long drink. The fizzing bubbles made her swallow quickly before she let out a satisfied sigh. Totally worth arguing with three different raugs to get a bottle. Nobody ever said I wasn’t persistent.
Sitting in the large pile of cushions that served as a raug armchair, she dropped her head back and enjoyed the relative silence. She could still hear the cheers and laughter from the square outside and briefly imagined herself out there with the crowd. Nope. I have everything I need right here, though a bath with hot water would be excellent.
A gentle knock sounded on the door to her guest quarters.
Frowning, Maleshi set her cup on the low table and stood. I told them to leave me alone for the night, and I know how good raugs are at remembering.
She went to the door and pulled the iron-ringed handle. “If you’re here to get the Bloodshine back, it’s already gone. Oh.”
Corian stood in front of the open door, his hands in his pockets, and cocked his head. “I always knew you could handle your booze, but that seems a little excessive.”
Maleshi gave him an exasperated look. “It’s a lie. I just opened the damn thing, but the raugs in charge of guarding the alcohol supply here take their jobs seriously. Why are you here?”
He shrugged. “I was hoping you had time for a chat.”
The general frowned and shifted her weight onto one hip. “Why?”
“Oh, I don’t know. Not having had the chance to talk to you about anything without interruption for the last few centuries feels like a good place to start.”
“Hmm.” Maleshi leaned into the hall and quickly glanced up and down. Then she shrugged and pulled back in. “Close the door behind you.”
“Yes, General.”
“Cut that out, huh? The loyal soldier crap is getting old.”
Corian closed the door behind him and stood in front of it, his hands in his pockets again.
Maleshi flopped onto the mound of pillows and picked up her cup again, then saw him standing there and snorted. “You’re obviously not standing at attention, so what are you waiting for? I already invited you in.”
“I’m giving you enough time to change your mind.”
“Change my mind.” She snorted and took a long drink of Bloodshine. “I know exactly what I want, not that I’m gonna get it here. Duty before desire, right? And the way I remember it, you’re the one who had problems making up his mind.”
Corian chuckled and dropped his gaze to the floor. “All right. I suppose I deserved that.”
“That’s the least of what you deserve, vae shra’ni.” She studied his bowed head. He still hadn’t stepped farther into the room. “I’m not going to change my mind. Come sit.”
Glancing at her briefly, Corian moved swiftly across the room and pulled an extra-large cushion toward the low table.
Maleshi grabbed an extra cup, filled it to the brim with bubbling Bloodshine, and handed it over. “What’s going on?”
“I’m concerned.” Corian took the drink and held it over his crossed legs, frowning at the golden liquid.
“Interesting.”
“Ha. That’s all you have to say?”
“I didn’t come here to talk to myself.” She eyed him with a smile. “What task did L’zar give you that you can’t figure out this time, huh?”
Corian shook his head. “Not a task. I’m concerned about him and where this is headed.”
“And you came to me for advice?”
With a self-conscious smile, Corian dipped his head and stared at the cup as he raised it to his lips. “More like comfort,
