16
“Surah, what are you thinking?”
Surah leaned her head back on the seat. Malin had, albeit grudgingly and with loud protests that he felt fine, shifted back to human. The doctor didn’t appreciate having to argue her patient down, pointing out several salient concerns regarding Malin remaining in a form that was inherently draining. Even if the new formula appeared to be working–there was no long-term data to tell Surah that everything was, indeed, allright.
“About what, Malin?” It was a downside of loving a gargoyle–well, another person, period. At times Surah just wanted silence. Malin, more attuned to the rhythms of night, was wide-awake andtalkative.
“You took a handmaid. Without consultingme.”
Surah closed her eyes. “She doesn’t want anything to do with Daru's bloodline, but she wants the political advantage.” Surah shrugged, eyes remaining closed. “It's asolution.”
“For her. But what about us? What benefit does it bringus?”
Surah turned in the seat, finding Malin's hard body and leaning against him. “Buys us time. Maybe if I have a baby and it can shift…and if not, then. You will need a garling Heir. That would settle things down a bit on both sides–if they know there is an Ioveanu in line to thethrone.”
“Surah–this isn’t like inseminating a horse. She will want to raise her child. And the reason the nobles want Geza gone isn’t because he doesn’t have an Heir. It’s because they don’t trusthim.”
“Then we have tohelphim, Malin. Not take part in a rebellion. If you tell Kausar no, be patient, then they have no one to use as their excuse to go against ourbrother.”
Malin sighed. “Until he did nothing to protect you from Mogren, I wanted nothing to do with the coup. But now I’mangry.”
“Well, stop thinking with your vindictive side,” shesnapped.
“That’s easy for you to say, you are not a warrior. A malewarrior.”
She stared at him, stony. “So you are a traitor. Ciodaru would bedisappointed.”
Malin’s mouth thinned. “Don’t try to use my father against me, girl.” He sighed. “We’ll try it your way. But Geza has one more chance with me.One more.Either he eliminates the threat in his court against you, or I will drag him off histhrone.”
“I won’t give you theserum.”
Silence stretched. “You don’t mean that,” he said, voicesoft.
She crossed her arms over her chest, looking down, mouth tight. After a moment, arms slid around her stiffbody.
“I’m sorry, my love. I never meant to put you in the middle of this. Forgive me.” He brushed a kiss on her forehead. “Geza is safe from me. AboutSililu.”
She looked up, wary. “I made a promise, Malin. It’s not like this place isn’t big enough for anotherfemale.”
“Where is yourjealousy?”
“I’m a scientist. I think logically. You males can be the hysterical ones.” She didn’t mention she felt sorry for the female. Malin would never agree if he thought pity was hermotivation.
Malin's brow rose. “I’ll have house rules. Does she assume that under my protection she will be free to...roam?”
Surah stared at him. “She just wants the opportunity to plan her own future. She doesn’t strike me as the wild and partying type. If that's what she wanted, she would have pushed for Geza to wedher.”
“Hmm.True.”
“Besides, Ludargo is one excuse away from calling feud on our house for the insult done Sililu inCouncil.”
“That would beinteresting.”
“It would be disruptive,” Surah snapped. “If you want a fight, go to the trainingyards.”
Malin sighed. “I am feeling more myself thisevening.”
“It's the drugstalking.”
