“A pity the gargoyle half isn’t the stronger,” Sajal said, grey eyes as narrow as his thinned lips. The eldest of Geza’s advisors, he refused to wear his human form at night, when gargoyles ruled the skies. “As Geza’s only sister, you should set an example of modesty and grace. You shame him, the sameas—”
“You can insult me all you want,” Surah said. “But don’t open your mouth to speak against Malin. I may deserve your ire. Hedoesn’t.”
Sajal turned his shoulder in open contempt. “Ciodaru didn’t produce even one worthyheir.”
“Don’t bait the girl,” Lavinia said, returning. “She has nothing to do with ‘Daru’sfailures.”
Surah stomached the anger, swallowing emotion as she had her entire life, presenting only a blank, bored face to the outsideworld.
“Malin—”
“I know,” Lavinia interrupted, touching Surah's shoulder briefly. “It’s not Malin’s fault he was born as he was. But the monarchy—as antiquated as it may seem to you young people—requires a ruler without blemish.” She sighed, looking around. “It’s hard to argue that Malin wouldn’t have been the better Prince, defect orno.”
“Geza just needs to grow up,” Surah said tightly, wanting to call the woman on her double talk. In private, Lavinia wanted democracy—in public she was a supporter of crown rule. But Surah had never been one to repeat private conversations—and the councilor knew it. “Our mother spoils him, and his father tried to push him to be something he isn’t—aleader.”
“Sometimes we have to be what we don’t want to be for the good of the people,” Sajal said. “If you weren’t so focused on chasing down a dream in thatlab-”
“That dream may one day eradicate the defective gene in the Princes’ bloodline.” Surah retorted. “Why fund it if you think it’s such awaste?”
“We all have hope. And your medical training brings honor to the line. We must be seen by the world as more than warriors—thugs with wings.” Lavinia smiled briefly. “Go home, Surah. You’ve been drinking, and you have to work in the morning, like the rest of us.” Her eyes slanted towards Geza. “Somedon’t.”
