After the Crown by K. B. Wagers

Author:K. B. Wagers
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Orbit
Published: 2016-12-13T05:00:00+00:00

21

I woke up in the dark, every muscle in my body screaming in furious dissent over the slightest movement. Someone had put a blanket over me and I pushed it aside as I rolled from the bunk. The even breathing of the others filled the room, not breaking rhythm as I made my way step by careful step to the door.

It slid open silently and I breathed a thank-you to Hao for keeping his ship in better than working order. The dim red light in the hallway washed nostalgia over me. In a world without sun, Hao’s tactic of lighting the hallways with red at night was an easy fix to the problem of spaceborne insomnia. Red time was nighttime. The lighting had worked so well I instituted the use on my ship.

I spotted Zin, sitting near Emmory’s bed in the dim light of the med bay. His hands were clasped together and pressed against his forehead as he whispered a fevered and relentless prayer over and over.

Closing my hand on his shoulder, I joined him in the old, familiar litany, and this time when we reached the end he stopped.

“Majesty, forgive me.”

“What?”

Zin turned his tear-streaked face toward me. “I should have stayed with you. Not let my concern for Emmory take me from my duty.”

“Shut your mouth.” It came out louder than I’d intended, and I winced when Emmory shifted in his sleep. “Starzin Hafin, how can you even think I’d be angry at you?” I hissed, smacking him on the shoulder. “You were right where you needed to be. We had everything under control. I ordered you to stay with him.”

“Emmory would have—”

“Been at your side or I’d have kicked his ass like I’m about to kick yours.” I grabbed his face and jerked it close. “You listen to me and listen good. Don’t you dare think I’d make either of you choose me. I know it’s the way things might go down because of the truly messy situation we’re in, but I would never demand it of you. I can take care of myself, Zin. Right now you take care of your husband, that’s an order. Am I understood?”

He nodded. I kissed his forehead and then released him.

“Majesty?” Emmory’s voice was heavy with whatever painkillers Henna had shot him up with. He shifted, trying to open his eyes.

I leaned past Zin, wrapping my hand around Emmory’s fingers and squeezing. “We’re safe for the moment, Emmy. Go back to sleep.”

“Hard to do with all the noise,” he slurred, but he turned his head and his breathing evened back out.

“Where’s Fasé and the others?”

“Next door,” Zin said. “Henna didn’t want her waking up and trying to heal Emmory again.”

“Good thinking. I’m going to go check on them. Make sure you get some rest,” I said to Zin.

“Back at you, Majesty. And go back to your rooms.”

I grinned at him and headed for the door to the other room. It was easy to make out the silhouettes on the beds.

“Majesty?” Stasia’s voice was thick with sleep.

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