'I don't know what to say to that. I feel like I should apologize or something.'
'It is in the nature of some leaders to bring out the best in those around them.'
'Hey, I'm not in charge of this little metaphysical bus; you are, remember?'
'I am the political leader, but in an emergency most of our people will take your orders over mine.'
'That's not true,' I said.
'In a fight, they will.'
'Okay, if it's violence, then yeah, it's what I'm good at. You're much better at the politics and dinner party stuff.'
'You have your moments in the political arena.'
'And only a few of the Harlequin are better than you with a rapier.' In fact, I'd been a little amazed at how good he was with his chosen weapon. He'd turned out to have been a famous duelist in his day, as a human and young vampire. He'd explained that his blade work had been what allowed him to survive; the masters of the day had challenged him, and he'd chosen his weapon and he'd killed them. I'd never known until he started practicing in the new gym where the other guards and I could see.
'Are you salving my ego, ma petite?'
'I think so.'
He laughed, and this time it was just humor. 'I do not need it. I am king and you are both my queen and my general. One who leads the charge from the front and always will. You know our guards' strengths and weaknesses better than I, because you practice and work out with them. You have quite shamed me and some of the older vampires into exercising more.'
'Most vampires can't gain muscle; the body at death is what it is, unchanging.'
'But I can, and my vampires can.'
'One of the rebel vampires said it's because you take power from them.'