summer campaign. We’re still waiting to hear from Kenav as of this morning.”
“Are we dividing east and west for the summer campaign or sending Seanev to do all of it?” Luykas crossed his arms, frowning.
“Seanev will be handling all of it. He’s an experienced general and has handled large campaigns before,” Alchan answered. “I would love it if Kenav got back before I send Seanev out, but that might be a fool’s hope. Keep them in your prayers.”
“Brother, with Leria, maybe we can work something out a little less harsh.” Luykas sounded concerned, but Mave knew Alchan in this mood.
“My decision is final,” Alchan growled softly at Luykas. “She’ll live with it, or she’ll die testing my patience. I can’t tolerate meddling. If I allow it now, I’ll spend the rest of my damn life trying to stop it. She’s crossed a line, Luykas, and everyone here knows it. The entire damn village knows it. I found a Consort she didn’t approve of. I don’t think we all need a lesson in why Rainev and I can’t reproduce. She wants me to pop out a daughter to be queen because she hates me.”
“You know that’s not the only reason,” Luykas said in a hushed, urgent whisper. “Don’t start those sorts of rumors, they’ll make you look bad. You know why it’s important to have a daughter or any fucking heir, Alchan. I’m not saying Leria did the right thing. She’s a bitch, but if you overreact, people will worry about the future of our people. The rebellion is strong. We’re getting stronger every day. Everyone is starting to wonder what comes next. That includes who succeeds you.”
Mave kept out of it. Her knowledge of how to make the appropriate political decision was weak at best.
“It’s not an overreaction,” Alchan growled. “Yet. I already wanted Allaina to continue being the mativa closest to me when this was all said and done. I know how to work with her. As for anything else, once I cool down, she can go back to being a power-hungry bitch.” Alchan ran a hand through his hair, showing a moment of vulnerability as he looked at his brother. “And I know about the heir problem. I know. Let’s go get this done. Help me with her things. I want you to meet her.”
Alchan walked to the door, touching Mave’s shoulder as he passed. Luykas followed him, kissing her cheek. Nevyn, Varon, and Kian went in silence.
“This was a shit show,” Mat said, coming up to her side. “Sad Bryn missed it.”
Mave snorted. “Wow.”
“You know he would have backed you up, just as well as any of us. He’s small, but he’s scary.”
“He is,” she agreed, nodding slowly. “So, what do we have planned for the rest of the day?”
“Well, if you get your swords, maybe we can go train with Emerian and Trevan. Dave is probably with them, too.”
“Zayden, do you want to come?” she asked around her big husband.
“No, I need to get to Senri’s guards.” He stepped up and kissed her goodbye.
Once he was gone, Mave smiled at Mat. “Just you and me, huh?”
“Would you be upset if I told you that sometimes I really like it this way?” He gave her an arrogant smirk she knew so well. “I like to think when I have you to myself, I can keep you busy and satisfied enough, we might not need the others.”
“You love them,” she accused.
“I do but as brothers. I love you,” he reminded her, his tail hooking with hers. “I love you more than any of them.”
She couldn’t respond to that the right way, so she continued to smile and said something she knew would get to him. “I know.”
Mat laughed and groaned at the same time as they headed for the small clearing where Emerian and Trevan practiced. She didn’t love any of her husbands more than the others but had learned she loved them differently. Unique pieces of her family needed unique pieces of her heart. They were different males, and that led to different care. Mat wanted to be her consistent husband, always by her side. Bryn wanted to be a quiet presence who basked in the light of the family when he had been through so much darkness. Luykas was a partner on and off the battlefield, even when their relationship was the battlefield. And Zayden was a family man. He wanted to take care of everyone and got upset when he couldn’t.