I cracked a smile.
Only he understood me this way.
He leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees.
“Look, bro... we both know the dynamic between you and Narine is... unconventional. But you’ve gotta be stronger than this. And yeah, I say that knowing how much you’re hurting. But you’re also the king, the one damn thing holding this kingdom together. The court officials? They’re already talking smack, whispering about your absence. And Tavrek? That slimy bastard is just waiting to swipe the throne out from under you.”
I didn’t respond.
“If all this s**t implodes, it’ll be chaos,” he continued. “So I need you to be the brutal bastard I know.”
I took another swig of the bourbon. It burned all the way down.
“I just want to be in my feelings a little bit longer,” I muttered.
Luperc
