more than a dozen Inner Core planets. Interplanetary multi-billion corporations, political organizations, industrial colonies: the Order has its fingers everywhere. If Idhron wants, he can even easily influence the Galactic Council and Chamber of Lords.”
Warrehn’s forehead wrinkled. “It doesn’t make sense.”
Rohan looked back to him. “What doesn’t?”
“I thought Idhron didn’t fight me for Eridan because he knew he had no power to keep him in the Order. But you’re saying that his power is actually close to unlimited.”
Rohan shrugged. “Idhron probably figured it was more trouble than it was worth. Who knows how that man’s mind works? I doubt he cared for the kid enough to actually fight for him to stay.”
Warrehn frowned, not sure he agreed. But Rohan must be right. What other explanation was there? “Anyway, I don’t want him anywhere near my brother. I’m still not convinced Idhron didn’t brainwash him in some way.”
Rohan sighed. “You know I checked Eridan’s mind, War. His mind is his own. It’s actually full of mind traps that would attack anyone who attempts to brainwash him.” He frowned faintly. “It must have taken Idhron years to create that kind of protection for his apprentice. I’m surprised he even bothered, because those kinds of defenses severely limited his own ability to tamper with Eridan’s mind.”
Warrehn pressed his lips together, not entirely convinced. “If he created those mind traps, maybe they don’t work against him.”
Rohan shook his head. “Mind traps don’t work like that. They would attack anything they regard as hostile interference.”
“What about the mind traps in Dalatteya’s mind? He was likely the one who created them but clearly he had no problem brainwashing her.”
Rohan shook his head again. “There are different kinds of mind traps. The ones in her mind are rudimentary compared to Eridan’s. They’re protecting the information the Order doesn’t want anyone to learn, not her. The mind traps in your brother’s mind are different. They’re specifically designed to protect Eridan’s mind from deep invasion and manipulation.” Rohan took a sip from his drink. “It’s actually quite puzzling. Either Idhron is far more short-sighted than I thought, or he didn’t expect that he would ever need to alter his apprentice’s memories. He only made things harder for himself: Idhron couldn’t even completely erase Eridan’s memories of his birth name; he could only block them. So Idhron brainwashing your brother is… extremely unlikely, to say the least.”
Warrehn scowled, not sure if he felt relieved or disappointed. “Didn’t he brainwash Jamil’s ex-husband?”
“It wasn’t Idhron, and it wasn’t really brainwashing. Mehmer just had a memory block that was lifted recently.” Rohan’s lips curled into a wry smile. “Considering that Mehmer is marrying the man who’d done it to him, he doesn’t seem traumatized.”
“That’s messed up.”
“Maybe,” Rohan said with a laugh. “But I can’t say I’m unhappy about it. Don’t get me wrong: Mehmer seems like a nice enough man, but I’m glad he’ll live on another planet. I don’t want him anywhere near Jamil and our daughter. It’s bad enough already that my daughter will always carry his name.”
“It won’t matter if she’ll know the truth.”
Rohan’s gaze softened. “She will. She does. Our familial bond is very strong already.” He smiled faintly, his dark eyes fond. “Her face lights up when she sees me. It’s—it’s the most incredible feeling, War.”
Warrehn averted his eyes. He was happy for his best friend. He was. Rohan was his brother in all but blood. But he couldn’t deny that he felt… lonely when he saw how happy and in love Rohan was. Rohan now had his own family to think about besides being the governor of Tai’Lehr. Being engaged to the Crown Prince of the Third Grand Clan was time-consuming as far as social obligations went, so Rohan was rarely around.
Warrehn had never thought he would feel like an outsider on his own home planet, in his own grand clan—that he would feel like a usurper in his own home. He was the King, but he often felt like he was a fraud.
Having his little brother back helped, of course, but he and Eridan still weren’t exactly close. Two decades apart couldn’t be magically erased, no matter how hard they both tried. There were things about his brother that he would never understand, and vice versa.
Damn it, why couldn’t things ever be simple?
The sound of the door opening tore him out of his thoughts.
“Warrehn?”
It was Eridan, looking curiously between him and Rohan. A strange expression appeared on his face, but then it was gone, his violet