Finally, we came to a lull in the conversation and I looked meaningfully at Cleb, who suddenly turned shy. I glanced in his uncle’s direction with my eyes. Ask him about tomorrow, I was saying.
Cleb peered back at me nervously.
I nodded. You can do this.
“Uncle?” he said.
“Mm?” Traes said, turning a page of his newspaper.
“Can I ask you something?”
“What is it?”
The asshole was still reading his newspaper. Why didn’t he put it down and pay attention to Cleb? I glowered with anger and Cleb hadn’t even asked his question yet.
“Me and Bianca—”
“Bianca and I,” Traes corrected.
Cleb looked over at me. He really didn’t want to ask this.
“Bianca and I… were thinking about doing something tomorrow,” he said. “And we were wondering if maybe you’d like to come with us.”
“I can’t tomorrow,” Traes said without looking up. “I’ve got important meetings. Maybe some other time.”
Cleb’s face fell. He knew what his uncle was going to say, and still, he asked, allowing himself to hope he might be wrong.
No. I had been the one to make him think he might be wrong, that his uncle would say yes.
I was furious with him.
Cleb sat there, staring at his plate for the rest of the meal. It was too much for me to bear. My anger throbbed stronger with each second that passed.
“Have you finished dinner?” I said to Cleb.
Cleb nodded.
Traes glanced at his plate.
“You haven’t finished your vegetables,” he said.
“He’s finished,” I said.
“But he still has lots of vegetables left—”
“He’s finished,” I said, my voice louder than usual and bouncing off the bare walls.
Traes looked at me, trying to understand my expression.
“You can go,” I said to Cleb.
“Will you come read me a story later?” he said.
“Of course I will,” I said.
I extended my arms and he came over and gave me a hug. I whispered in his ear: “You did great. I’m so proud of you.”
He smiled but it was fleeting. He turned and crossed the vast expanse of carpet. A house guard opened the door and shut it behind him.
The asshole was still reading his newspaper.
I couldn’t stand it any longer. I was going to blow.
“Can you dismiss your servants, please?” I said.
He peered over at me and noticed the look on my face.
“Is something wrong?” he said.
“Can you dismiss your servants, please?” I repeated.
If he didn’t dismiss them soon, I was going to erupt and to hell with what they heard.
“Sure,” he said.
He made eye contact with Waev.
“Tell everyone to leave us for a moment, please,” he said.
“Better make it outside,” I said as kindly as I could.
Waev looked perturbed. When Traes gave him his nod, Waev carried out his orders.
I wouldn’t speak until I was certain they were out of earshot.
“What’s this all in aid of—?” Traes said.
I raised a finger, silencing him. I heard a distant door shut and waited until there were no other noises.
“If this is about Cleb, I’m sorry,” he said, “but I did warn you about him being a handful.”
I calmly got up from my seat, moved behind his chair, and whipped it out from under him. He fell to the floor.
“What the hell are you doing?” he said.
I clapped my hands off.
“How did that feel?” I said.
“Like you just pushed me on the floor,” he growled.
“I took your legs out from under you, which is exactly what you just did to Cleb.”
Traes stared at me, incredulous.
“What is wrong with you?” he said. “I didn’t touch him!”
“No!” I yelled, and it made him start. “What you did was far worse!”
Traes made to get up. I towered over him. He might be big and muscular and strong, but I was in control right now.
“I convinced him to ask you to join us tomorrow even though he was certain you would say no,” I said. “I taught him to have some hope. He trusted me. And you didn’t even have the courtesy to give him your attention. Instead, you carried on reading your damn newspaper and didn’t even give him the time of day!”
“I always read my newspaper at mealtimes,” he spat. “It’s the only free time I have.”
“You’re a wealthy businessman,” I said. “If you want more free time, outsource more work. A million people could do your job as well as you.”
“I’m pleased to disappoint you. I happen to be the finest mine operator in the empire—”
“And the lousiest uncle. You’re a ghost in your own home.”
He bristled at that.
“You have no idea what I’ve been through!” he said. “You turn up here and think you know everything. You don’t know anything about us!”
“Which is why I wanted you to join us tomorrow!” I said. “And for your information, I know exactly what you’ve been through. I also know Cleb has been through a whole lot worse than you and he’s still got the balls to stand up and try to carry on with his life.”
“He’s been through three governesses in as many months,” Traes said. “I don’t think that’s a shining example.”
“You hired me to educate him. To help him. Now I can see what’s wrong with him. You. You’re the problem.”
Traes folded his arms.
“Here we go,” he said. “Heap blame on the hardworking uncle.”
“You don’t work hard for him! You work hard for yourself!”
“I never asked for this! I never asked to take care of him! He’s my nephew! I hardly know him!”
“And you never will unless you spend time with him!”
We were both panting and out of breath. I wasn’t sure I’d gotten through to him yet. I spoke softer.
“Your sister chose you,” I said. “And you accepted. You’re his godfather. He’s a little boy and his parents died. In all the world, all he has is you. He doesn’t have anyone else. He doesn’t even have his
