speak treason to Airen,” Gallienus warned.
“Oh for fuck’s sake, Father. He just speaks truth,” Cassius sighed.
Gallienus glared at his son. “So can I take that as you making Airen face decades of change when you take my throne?”
“Unquestionably.”
Bloody hell.
“What?” Gallienus whispered.
“Un…question…ably,” Cassius repeated a lot more slowly.
Mars and Aramus chuckled.
But True did not feel himself wishing to do the same.
This was good, of course.
Ideally.
However, if it happened, Airen would descend into civil war and who knew which side would win.
The gentry of Airen had standing armies of their own. Gallienus favored them not only for their high-born breeding and their chests, which he could tax, but also because, if he angered them, they could ally and depose him.
By force.
Which meant they could ally and wage war against Cassius if he made changes before these armies were disbanded, something Gallienus or one of his forebears should have done years ago. Weakening their gentry. But none of them had had the courage to do it.
In other words, one side had money, men and the power of the throne.
The other had a tactical genius as a general commanding a royal army that might be in disarray as the soldiers in it took sides.
“You know, my sister has a son,” Gallienus threatened Cassius.
“Please, I beg you, I’ll give you bags of gold, pass the crown to my cousin,” Cassius replied. “He is weakly and can barely ride a horse, can’t leave his hearth without catching a chill that sets him abed for three weeks, and eschews meat as it’s unsavory to him that beasts are hunted. I think he’d make the perfect king.”
Gallienus stood, announcing, “I believe diplomatic relations have just broken down.”
“That’s impossible, considering all nations for the most part agree, it’s just you who’s being stubborn because those men you protect have wealth and militias, wealth you tax and armies you fear, and you don’t wish to make them angry. And further, if your wives had rights, it would be a spectacle, the king of the realm brought up on charges,” Cassius stated drolly.
“I see my son feels his power growing with his alliance with a Nadirii,” Gallienus said softly. “Careful, Cassius. The weight you carry at this table will not translate in Sky Bay.”
“Why don’t we test that when we get home, me riding into Sky Bay with a Nadirii at my side, the might of their warriors trooping at my back, indication that the sons of the poor will no longer fall to bloodlust and the whims of the wealthy when we repeatedly clash with a warrior nation? What do you say, Father? Shall we?” Cassius invited.
“You do not want to cross me,” Gallienus returned, and Cassius’s eyebrows shot up.
“Do you even know me?” he asked.
True bit his lip and lifted his eyes to the ceiling.
Mars and Aramus did not bite their lips.
Their amusement was auditory.
“I fear I won’t be able to attend your nuptials, King Mars, for I’ll soon be away to Airen,” Gallienus announced.
“If you think to leave,” Cassius started quietly, “and go home to amass support against the crown prince, I swear to all the gods, Father, I’ll plan one last war. To usurp your throne.”
“You never wanted it,” Gallienus retorted.
“I’ve since received a promise from my magnificently comely bride to provide an heir. Thus I’ve changed my mind,” Cassius fired back. “You will stay here, and we’ll discuss you making me regent.”
Gallienus’s eyes grew huge.
The air in the room went static.
True noticed his father straighten in his seat.
“Drunk on a Nadirii?” Gallienus sneered. “Already?”
“Tired of your shite,” Cassius returned. “A long time ago. Now sit. You aren’t going anywhere.”
“I’ll go where I please,” Gallienus rejoined. “My guard, my son, is five times yours.”
“Mine is even larger,” Mars drawled, and Gallienus’s eyes shot to the dark king.
Aramus was back to studying his fingernails, but doing it, he said, “Mine is as well.”
“Don’t think to turn to the Nadirii,” Cassius advised.
“Did you plan this?” Gallienus demanded of his son.
Cassius shook his head. “No. But you prod the bear, my king, you risk his claws.”
“You are no bear,” Gallienus spat.
“You’re correct. But I didn’t disrespect the diplomatic table of King Mars and I didn’t challenge King Aramus. You did. But I’ll remind you, my king, you cannot kill me, or you not only face the Beast, you face four nations who know they will have to face the Beast because of you. That is where my power lies. And you’d do well not to forget it.”
“And on a whim,