In a lot of ways, they reminded him of Rhiannon and her offspring, but he wasn’t about to say that. He really didn’t know if they would consider it an insult or not.

“Stop complaining, Fang,” her mother said. “I’m waiting for an answer from this cretin.”

Wanting to see how the Empress would react, Aidan replied, “Assassins have come after Keita twice, my lady. Once in the Southlands near the docks. And then again at the Heaven’s Destroyers Temple.”

She pulled back a bit. “I would never attack Keita anywhere, at any time, but especially at the Destroyers Temple. Everyone allowed entry into that sacred space is considered protected. To attack the inhabitants is to risk the wrath of the gods.”

“Unless your god is Chramnesind.”

“Who?”

Fang’s eyes crossed. “Ma. The Zealots.”

“Oh, yes. Yes. Of course.” The Empress let out what Aidan assumed was supposed to be a sad sigh. “Such a tragedy what’s been happening over in the Southlands with those horrid people. Although I am surprised that dear, sweet Rhiannon has bothered to involve herself with those she has always referred to as ‘two-legged cattle.’ You see, your queen has never truly understood the connection my people have with the humans of this land.”

“You mean because they worship you?”

The Empress smiled. “Yes.”

“What my mother means—”

“He knows what I mean, Fang. Don’t you, Aidan the Divine?”

“I do. But, of course, times have changed, haven’t they, Your Majesty?”

“Oh, they have. At least for the Southlanders. Not much change here. Not in . . . two thousand years or so? Sadly, Rhiannon can’t really say the same. It has been fascinating to watch, though.”

“I’m sure it has. Of course, change comes to all eventually,” Aidan replied, keeping his voice carefully modulated. “The question is, are you ready to face it when it does?”

“Unless you can control that change. Harness it for your own benefit. Some have quite a talent for that.”

Enjoying this dangerous discussion much more than he should, Aidan began to reply, but Fang quickly cut him off.

“I’m so worried about Keita,” she said, drawing her mother’s attention back to her.

“Yeah,” Kang suddenly said, chewing on a piece of fruit. “Makes you wonder if this has something to do with—”

Brutal glares from both mother and daughter ended the prince’s words abruptly. Grabbing another piece of fruit, he moved to a corner and kept his head down.

His reaction was telling.

Especially when the Empress looked at Aidan with a sad expression he knew was forced and said, “Poor Keita. Running off like that. All alone. Defenseless. You must feel horrible about her being unprotected, Mì-runach. Since it was your job to ensure her safety.”

Aidan was going to lie, to say how he feared for her and felt lost after failing his queen but . . .