I put on the formal dress that was given to me to attend court and asked Ghost to stay behind in my room. I had a feeling this meeting might call for… privacy. Part of me hoped I’d misunderstood everything—misinterpreted body language, misread intentions. These feelings had never ended in anything but pain for me. To care for something is to leave yourself open to it hurting you.

  As I walked into the garden, the servant who guided me there quickly dismissed herself.

  Renyi was reading a book by torchlight, a tray of snacks in front of him on a small table. When he saw me arrive, he waved me over.

  “You came,” he said.

  “A request from a prince is harder to resist than an order, it seems,” I said, sitting in the chair across from him.

  “I’m thankful you showed up when you did. It would not be wise for me to eat all of these by myself.”

  I’d seen the prince’s food before today, and it was clear this was excessive and in no way for himself. I picked up a small pastry and took a bite, nodding as I chewed.

  “Mm. Not bad at all.”

  He poured two cups from a jug, sliding one to me.

  “Wine?”

  I took a sip of it. Did he really believe he was being subtle here? It was clear the man had very little experience with showing his interest in women. Then again, I was in no position to judge.

  “Renyi…”

  “Renyi? I didn’t realize we’d become so familiar in our brief time of knowing one another that you’d address me by name rather than title.”

  “You’d prefer I use your title instead? I don’t mind.”

  I smiled, and he returned it with his own.

  “No, it’s fine. What were you about to say?”

  What was I about to say? I wasn’t sure I’d thought that far yet. Maybe I’d just keep putting off the topic he’d clearly invited me here to discuss.

  “How are you feeling?” I asked.

  He narrowed his eyes, sensing that wasn’t actually what I’d planned on saying.

  “My injuries are less troublesome than yours.”

  “Seems doctor-patient confidentiality is not a part of your culture.”

  “It is, but does not extend beyond the authority of a concerned prince.”

  “Your injuries seemed troublesome enough recently.”

  “My wounds have stabilized. I will simply need to avoid unnecessary strain… much like you.”

  I sighed, not at all comfortable with the direction of this conversation and the prince’s ability to outmaneuver my efforts to change the subject.

  “If you spoke with the royal physician, you know that my condition will only continue to deteriorate.”

  Stolen novel; please report.

  “That is not what he told me,” Renyi said. “He believed the experts at PanTech, perhaps the creator of this enhancer device, could solve your problem.”

  “I knew the creator of this device… they won’t be fixing this for me anytime soon.”

  Renyi stood from his chair, clenching his fist.

  “I know of the situation at PanTech HQ. They lack their armies. Even they can no longer refuse the summons of an emperor if delivered by force.”

  “Sit down!” I snapped. “As far as I know, they’re dead. It has nothing to do with wanting to help me.”

  He looked away. I could tell by the expression on his face that he instantly wanted to apologize, but struggled with the fact that a prince should never show weakness.

  “I was wrong to react the way I did. Forgive me.”

  “No…” I said, wiping a tear from my cheek. I hadn’t meant to cry, but thinking of Frelya made it impossible not to.

  “Someone you… perhaps cared deeply for?”

  “I once saw her as an enemy, but yes… she’s the only reason I’m alive now, and I know she’d do anything to save me if she were here. I miss her. She died making sure I escaped the day HQ was overtaken. She sacrificed herself… for me.”

  The tears were flowing freely now, and I was angry at myself for crying in front of him.

  He took my hand.

  “I can’t imagine your pain, Taylor.”

  “Yes, you can,” I said, forcing a smile. I knew I wasn’t the only person in the world to go through something like this since the world had fallen apart. Since the virus was unleashed. He himself had only just lost Tannis, a man who was like a father to him.

  “Then… I’ll consult with the surviving Adversity Management soldiers who have sworn loyalty to me. There are medics among them. Perhaps they could—”

  I shook my head.

  “She was the only one. Just let it go, Renyi. Not everyone can be saved. That’s something I’ve had to accept, and so will you. Not all stories have happy endings, and I’m content with the things I have done. I’ve saved countless people. There are some ten times my age who have done ten times less with their lives. Why should I feel wronged that mine has been cut short?”

  “Stay here, with me in this palace.”

  “Are you asking me to—”

  “I will ask nothing of you. Perhaps in time, I will. There will be plenty of time for you to consider the implications of my request. Months, perhaps years, and when you are ready, it can be discussed further. At your own pace, with no expectations. This offer comes with no strings attached. If it comforts you to think of it this way, consider it as payment for saving my life.”

  His gentleness and consideration caught me off guard. How could a man with such a cold demeanor hide such a warm heart?

  “Renyi… I…”

  I felt a squeeze in my chest. I wanted to reject his offer outright, but I couldn’t. I didn’t want to, yet I knew that I should. My presence would only complicate his life here and compromise his ability to govern. He’d always be accosted by officials for not taking a wife.

  “What is it?” he asked.

  “There’s something I should tell you.”

  “Speak freely,” he said. He still hadn’t let go of my hand.

  “I appreciate the space you’ve offered me, but I want you to know that I can’t have children. Those who join PanTech are usually sterilized. That can be reversed, but it is also a side effect of the cure I helped develop for the virus or… plague, sickness, whatever you prefer to call it. Anyone who takes it will be permanently sterilized.”

  “I know,” he said, calmly.

  “You knew?”

  “Our Adversity Management has made contact with another PanTech group, which also offered this cure in private. I was told of the implications. I’ll admit I did not know whether I should fully believe them, but you have confirmed their words.”

  “Why refuse the vaccine? Even if the outcome is still the same, the reduction in suffering is not something that should be ignored by an emperor. These are your people who are suffering.”

  He sighed, taking in my words but not allowing me to derail the conversation once again.

  “That you can’t have children doesn’t matter, Taylor. We can’t pretend things will go on as they always have. As for the cure…”

  He finally let go of my hand, gripping the table.

  “Yes?” I asked, hopeful I’d finally gotten through to him.

  “I have given it a lot of thought. Since even before you arrived. Even though members of the court voted unanimously to reject foreign aid, it was not a vote offered to the people. Although a vote like this will be daunting, I believe the final decision should be in the hands of the people—those who tend the fields, bake our bread, and teach our children. Not officials who wear elaborate robes, and not a man who sits on a throne.”

  “The answer is yes,” I said.

  “With all due respect, you won’t be able to participate in this vote. You aren’t a citizen.”

  I smiled.

  “That wasn’t what I was saying yes to.”

  In that moment, he understood.

  “It pleases me that you’ve come to your senses,” he said, wearing that cold mask again for a moment, though it had long since slipped.

  That ruse would no longer work on me, now that I’d seen through it.

  PanTech Chronicles trilogy and the series, both available on Amazon.

  Thank you so much to everyone who supports me on Patreon. I wouldn't be able to do this without you!

  Special Thanks: Shin and Drunkenbiker

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