“I keep forgetting what Mother said: the position isn’t the person.” Kyura stepped away. He exhaled deeply, blinking tears down his cheeks until his vision cleared. He met his sister’s eyes as she smiled.
“I know you don’t remember her very well,” said Syenne, “but when Father appointed me governor, she impressed that upon me. And Lenine loved you for more than your position, as does your friend Aoran. Keep him close, but privately. We don’t want the court misinterpreting your relationship.”
Kyura slumped. Aoran was the only friend he trusted as much as Lenine, but the court wasn’t to know Aoran was Kyura’s cousin’s lover, not Kyura’s. The consequences of the court drawing false conclusions about their relationship didn’t bear thinking about.
Kyura turned back to the cot and swaddling h
