Page 84 of The Last Syphon

“Why? Because I’m a Borderlander?”

“Because you are undisciplined.”

Inara wasn’t sure whether she should be insulted or not.

“While powerful, you lack restraint. You fail to think through the consequences of your actions, and that often lands you in trouble.”

Okay. She couldn’t argue with that.

“You barely know me.”

The faintest smirk graced his lips. “But I am right, am I not?”

Her lips twisted in displeasure. As if she would ever admit it.

Two could play at that game. She leant forward, tilting her head to the side. “You’re a rule follower. If it is a law, you will uphold it, no matter what, even if you don’t necessarily agree with it. You work all the time and never have any fun, which results in you having a giant sword stuck up your ass.”

His eyes flashed with power.

Oh, ho, ho. She’d been right on the coin there.

The door suddenly opened. Inara glanced over her shoulder to see Larissa walk in.

“My Prince, is everything okay—” Her words cut off with a shocked choke. Her eyes darted from Inara to the prince, taking in his relaxed posture and Inara leaning on his desk before her face reddened with anger, and she glared.

“Larissa, what is the meaning of this?” Prince Walder asked, voice like ice.

Her eyes whipped to him. “I apologise, my Prince.” She bowed low. “I feared that you were in trouble.”

“Why would you assume this?”

“You are late to return, my Prince. I thought—” Her gaze flicked to Inara.

She scoffed and turned around, leaning her butt against the desk and crossing her arms over her chest. “You thought what? That I failed in my duty to protect him?”

Larissa’s eyes narrowed.

“Oh, wait.” Inara’s brows shot up. “You thought I’d killed him?”

“I would not put it past you to attempt it!” she spat. She rushed forward. “My Prince, please, I beg of you. Reconsider this.”

Prince Walder ignored her, circling back to her earlier words. “What do you mean, I’m late to return?”

“Court was to resume five minutes ago.”

He turned and looked out the window, a slightly confused look on his face. “Apologise to the court for me. I will return momentarily.”

“Yes, of course, but my Prince⁠—”

“Now, Larissa.”

The woman snapped her mouth shut, biting her lip. She nodded, bowed, threw Inara an evil scowl, to which she responded by twinkling her fingers, and then spun on the balls of her feet, fleeing the room in an angry fluster.

Prince Walder walked out from behind his desk and went for his weapons.

“Never been late before?” she asked, watching him resheath his swords.

“No.”