A slow, sadistic smile curled Kyr’s lips. “Perhaps you see your own sins in the actions of others. I believe your psychologists and therapists”—that was a low blow to bring up Darling’s past in front of the others—“would call that projection.”

Darling didn’t rise to the bait. He stayed eerily calm under fire. “Again, I say to you that I am not my uncle. If I was to declare war, or should I ever rebel, there won’t be any guessing. It will be clearly stated and unmistakable.”

The heat in Kyr’s eye said that he was begging for Darling to take a single wrong step. “I only have one other question for you, Governor.” Could he have put any more contempt into that title?

“And that is?”

“What does your boyfriend have to say about your upcoming marriage to a woman?”

The room erupted with laughter and mockery.

A taunting grin curled Kyr’s lips. “It must be so confusing for you at night when you have to figure out which part of her anatomy to tap.”

The rage in Darling’s gaze was unmistakable, but to his credit, he kept it in check. Something that amazed and mystified her.

“What was it you accused me of a moment ago?” Darling asked Kyr. “Oh yes… projection. I do believe, dear Commander, that your sins are now aired before all.”

Everyone in the room sucked their breath in, waiting for Kyr to attack.

Instead, he took a single step forward. “You’re playing a dangerous game with a most lethal opponent.”

Darling’s expression dared him to make a move. “You’re talking to someone who experiments with explosives in order to wind down at night. Believe me, I learned a long time ago exactly how much pressure to apply in order to achieve the desired result.” He stared at Kyr’s eye patch. “Not to mention Nykyrian Quiakides taught me well.”

Syn snickered at Darling’s comeback. He jerked his chin to Nykyrian, then explained to her the significance of Darling’s comment. “Just so you know, Zarya, Kip’s the one who injured Kyr’s eye.”

She let out a low whistle at Darling’s nerve in bringing that up.

Kyr stepped back. “I bid you well, Governor. And I leave you to the care of your empire.” He swept his gaze around the gerents, then finally pinned it to Ryn. “May you follow in your father’s footsteps.”

Darling took that veiled threat in stride. “Thank you, Commander. And may you reap all the fruits of your diligent work.”

Zarya held her breath as Kyr glared at Darling, then turned and stormed from the room. The rest of the League soldiers fell in behind him.

Syn shook his head. “Our boy is something else.”

She couldn’t agree more, but his fearlessness terrified her. “Remind me not to ever try to verbally outmaneuver Darling. He’s good.”

Maris winked at her. “You have no idea. He’s like lightning in everything he does.” He paused and gave her a quick once-over. “Well, not everything. But it’s good that he takes his time with that.”