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“On the docking facility on the estate,” Ardol explained carelessly—as if everyone had a docking facility in their yard. “Oh, and remember when I said some of your clothing would arrive here? Even though we’re early, one or two things might have arrived. If not, I’ll send for something from the city and have an AAU alter it.”
“What if your father hates me?” Will you stop loving me?
“Then I suppose I’ll have to inform him that he’s an old fool and I’m not naming his grandcubs after him.”
“Oh! What’s his name? What are your siblings’ names? I don’t even know... Why didn’t I ask earlier?” Jade began to pluck at the armrests of the chair as if she could shred them instead of her nerves.
“Now who’s panic babbling?” Ardol reached for her hand. “My father’s name is Arcai. You should call him Lord Arcai or Father —if he tells you to do so. I don’t know who is still at home and who is off at various academies, diplomatic missions, etc. Kadin, Baz, Amar, and Rayk should still be home unless Father has insisted on boarding school already.”
“Boarding school? You didn’t live at home?”
“Not after I was fourteen—but then, of course, the virus happened, and we were all sent home. For six years, the world was very limited. Thank Bastet I was a male from a wealthy and well-connected family. I was allowed to attend universities and academies once I was of age to do so.”
Jade stopped speaking as the shuttle banked smoothly to the left. “You’re a good pilot, too. Anything you can’t do?”
“We’ll find out.” Ardol’s face lost its placid expression. “If I rule this place—I want to change it for the better. I don’t know if that’s something I can do with people actively fighting me—and I don’t know if I want to try.”
“You don’t want the place to change?”
“No, I want that very much. But I don’t know if it’s worth it to take on the task for the sake of the money and power that go with it, you know? If I just keep things as they are, my job will be easy, with very few sacrifices. If I take it and want to have the power to influence things and make a true difference... I know there may be a cost.”
Jade squeezed his arm. And I wonder if I’m part of the price. If I am... I’m not sure what that will mean.
“ARDOL! SON AND HEIR!”
“Father! Lord and Leader!”
Jade stood back and watched the two Leopardines embrace. Ardol’s father, Arcai, dressed in long lavender robes and covered in gold rings and chains, was slightly shorter and thinner than his young, handsome son, and his golden coat was fading to a muted bronze with patches of silver.
“This is Jade, my Queen.”
Jade waited to see if she would be embraced.
She was not.
“Welcome to Rekiwe District. I’m sure you will enjoy your stay and be very comfortable. I will have one of the staff show you to the Queen suites which are through the western walkway.” Arcai’s eyes skimmed over her before deciding she was not worth closer inspection. As he spoke, he waved an imperious paw to the west, and Jade followed his arm.
The magnificent and palatial house was divided into two parts, one strong, lavish, and imposing, and the other smaller and more delicate, with lots of graceful sweeps and swirls in the more feminine architecture.
“Father, I want to show Jade around the estate, naturally. And we are just married. She will stay in my quarters.”
“Your suite, boy. You are not on some confounded ship now. And no, she will not be in the house when your brothers are also here.”
“Oh, it’s no trouble to stay in the Queen suites. My Lord.” Jade bit her lip as the elder Leopardine glared.
Don’t talk unless you’re told to. Got it. I’m an expert in that game.
Ardol wrapped his arm around Jade and dug his feet into the gravel of the docking area. “My Queen and I have not yet produced an heir, and time is of the essence. She stays with me, Father. I will only have access to the medical facilities that may enable Jade to carry my son for so long.”
“Ah. Hm. You are blessed with foresight—this once. The Queen may stay in your rooms until my grandcub is born.”
What the fuck!? I’m not even pregnant. Jade wanted to scream.
“Come with me to the dining room. I’m sure you’ve missed the food. We have much to discuss, and the Rekiwe Council of Regents meets tomorrow. I have invited most of them to take tea with us this afternoon. You will impress them by discussing your intersystem relations and your talk of trade and freight coordination. They will see you are competent and business-minded.”
Arcai strolled ahead, still speaking and gesturing.
Ardol leaned down. “I’m sorry. This will keep us together, and that’s what I want. Over everything—that’s what I want.”
