Fifty-four:
Antero Dukas
Zale’s father was going to pull Sirena out of her room. A quick look from Zale to the Queen said that this was not a good idea. I, like everyone else, had seen the Imperator in one of his rages. He was in one of them tonight. If he got to Sirena before one of us did, I didn’t like to think of what could happen. That was a war that we could ill afford. “Zale,” I said, “regardless of what you think of me in this moment----”
“My husband cannot confront her,” said the Queen, “no good comes when my husband confronts young women. Especially when they are by themselves.”
“Mother,” said Zale, “what are you talking about?”
The Queen took a deep breath. “We were meant to be keeping this a secret, but with what you told us Antero, I don’t think that we can any longe
