Crais(74)

“Nice of you to join us, Lucas,” a robust man drawled.

He was squat for a First Worlder, and a little overweight. Both characteristics were unusual. His short hair was a dirty blond, his eyes a watery blue. I wasn’t surprised to glance down and find Johannson on his name plate. He was thoroughly unappealing in both looks and personality.

I examined the rest of the members. There were three female and four male mayors. Besides Johansson, they all looked typical of this planet. Tall, thin and in their thirties, their hair color and facial features varied but the rest was the same.

“Why have you brought strangers into these private meetings?” A red-haired woman, with a name tag that read Sancho, stood to face us. She was pretty in a bland, ‘forget her face the moment you saw it’ kind of way. Her hair was a golden red, a million shades away from the blood-red of mine. “We have events to plan and laws to discuss.” She tossed her hair back, her expression haughty. “Private things, Lucas.”

He pinned her to the spot with his eyes. Her features seemed to freeze as she caught sight of her future Emperor’s expression. Even I was impressed. Lucas looked strong, capable and angry as hell.

“Don’t for one second forget who you are talking to. I am no longer the errand boy for my father or his placeholder in these discussions. I will be the Emperor, the final law is mine and you better respect that or get the hell out.”

Shocked silence echoed through the room. I could already tell that with the Emperor’s death they’d thought Lucas would be easy to manipulate. Clearly, that wasn’t the case. He seemed more than ready to step up to his new position.

Well, that was unexpected. Brace chuckled. Like I told you long ago, Lucas was not the person I’d have chosen to lead a book club meeting, let alone First world.

Don’t underestimate him, Brace. There’s a strength in Lucas. He hides it well, but I’ve seen it.

He shook his head. The strength is not in Lucas; it’s you. You’ve changed him. It could be said that a good woman can make a better man. He wants to be a better man for you.

I examined the blond leader before me. Brace was right: he had changed and he might finally be ready for his new role.

What about you? I teased Brace.

He reached out a hand to engulf mine. Red, you’ve been the biggest pain-in-the-ass I’ve ever known. But without you my life wasn’t worth shit. You’re the reason I get up every day, the reason I fight and the reason I give a damn and don’t let all the worlds destroy themselves.

I laughed out loud. Everyone in the room looked at me like I was crazy, before turning away and continuing to argue with each other.

You say the sweetest things, I said as Lucas pulled out chairs, gesturing for us to sit around the large circular table.

It was easy to sum up the next two hours of my life – yawn. Yep, that just about covered everything. I knew after they’d spent twenty minutes arguing over the color of the Emperor’s robes for the farewell ceremony and the position of his royal pendant that no juicy information was coming out of this meeting. I might have dozed off for a while near the end, although I don’t think anyone noticed.

If you discount the snoring. Brace had a huge grin on his face.

I did not snore. I was pretty sure I hadn’t.

It felt like days later we were finally free. Everyone exited the room. Apparently they’d be back the same time the next day.

“So what did you think, Abby?” Lucas fell into step next to me.

“Really interesting,” I said, purely out of politeness. “It’s a shame I can’t make it for tomorrow’s session.”

“You were snoring,” he said drily.

Brace’s laughter echoed through the stone hall.

I glared at them both as I pushed my hair back.

“I guess politics are not my forte. Luckily, they don’t have to be.”

“If you say so,” Lucas said with the strangest look on his face.

“Well, I for one gathered quite a bit of intel from the meeting.” Quarn took long strides, his sword bouncing in the intricately carved scabbard across his back. “You’re going to have your work cut out for you, Lucas. Keeping them under control will not be easy. They’ve grown used to a lack of supervision and more power since Emperor Christian’s illness.”

Lucas nodded. “Don’t you worry about that. They’ll fall into line or I’ll destroy them and their careers.”

I snorted. “You might want to tone down the crazy dictator vibe you’ve got going on. Not the best way to win the hearts of the people. Especially when I get the feeling they loved your father a lot.”