“Goryhell, you’re a terror.” He watches me a moment. “I’ve decided to like you, little moon boy.”
“Thank you,” I say. “But do not be offended if I withhold similar sentiment. I told Grandmother the other Martian would be better.”
His mood
swings to darkness once again. A feeble trait to be so protean. “Which other Martian?”
“The orphan,” I smile. “Andromedus.”
“Darrow…”
“Yes. He was ArchPrimus. Was he not? He stormed Olympus. Unheard-of quality, despite his parents being of such…humble acclaim. The Andromeduses were Martian, bannermen of House Aquillus before they tried their hand in the Belt. Your bannermen. Did you know them?”
“House Aquillus?” He smirks. “Haven’t even heard of it.”
“It is in eastern Cimmeria. But of course he takes nothing after them in features either. He’s inordinately…durable and clever. Most importantly, he inspired loyalty. You, despite your natural gifts, did not.”
“I won’t be lectured by an unscarred brat, no matter his last name. You’re not even supposed to know about the Institute yet. Little cheat.”
“You prove my point. You have no humility. Andromedus would be better.”
“Better for what?”
“Now, Cassius, didn’t Lady Bellona teach you patience is the utmost virtue?” A young woman wearing my house colors but speaking with an Agean brogue leans at the doorway to my grandmother’s office, smiling nastily at Cassius.
“Virginia,” he says with a strange, Pinkish smile.
“Hello, handsome.” She smiles sweetly at me. “Lysander, did you write any poems for me today?”
I blush and suddenly wish I were as tall as Cassius. “None of worth, I fear.”
“That’s not what Atalantia told me.”
“She’s much too…forgiving.”
“Well, I’ll be the final judge of their quality. Shall you read them to me after supper?”
“Aja was going to take me to see the falcons at Gosamere,” I say.
“May I come?”
I nod despite knowing Aja will be annoyed.
“Wonderful, I do love falcons.”
“Eagles are better,” Cassius says. He looks her up and down admiringly and in an objectifying manner with which I immediately take umbrage. “Heard your man went off to play with ships.”
“Subtle,” she says. “In any matter, I don’t have a man.”
“Well, not for long anyway. Karnus has been enrolled. Perhaps my brother will have a better go at him than yours did. Where is that Bronzie miscreant these days anyway?”
“How should I know?”
They stand in awkward silence.
“The Sovereign’s waiting, Cassius….” Virginia gestures him to follow and winks at me. “Tell Aja not to leave without me.”
“I will…” I say distantly.