Stasia’s worry only grew. The people of the forested nation of Miquo were famous for their red eyes. The God-Incarnate had grown enamored with their color and vibrancy upon invading Miquo thirty years ago, and he had briefly taken a Miquoan bride as his fifteenth wife. Rumors abounded of courtesans and minstrels using magistrate magic to change their irises to match, at least until the marriage soured, and the Miquoan woman was executed for unnamed, and likely untrue, acts of sedition.

“I am,” Stasia said, hoping he’d drop it.

“Well, aren’t you far from home,” the soldier said. “I actually fought in Miquo. My elders called it the fiercest and most ruthless rebellion the empire’s ever had to put down, and I believe it. Your people were savage, the God-Incarnate as my witness, just completely savage. No man dared walk alone at night, not on the roads, and definitely not through those awful forest-cities. I tell you, it makes Thanet seem like paradise after fighting over there.”

Stasia’s teeth ached from clenching her jaw so tightly.

“I’m glad you think so highly of my people,” she said. She started to stand but he slammed a hand on the table to stop her.

“Spread thy love to the four corners, and may thy children be faithful and plentiful,” the man said, suddenly reciting one of the core tenants of the Uplifted. “A simple command, yeah? So perhaps you two can answer me a riddle. How does a woman bear children when all she has bedding her is another woman?”

Clarissa and Stasia froze. Their hands. They were still holding hands, and not even attempting to hide it. Stasia’s sour stomach turned thoroughly rotten. He couldn’t punish her for it, not until the Joining Laws were enacted here as they were throughout the rest of the empire, but he could bait her into reacting. Given the anger surging through her, it might even work.

“Please, we meant no offense,” Clarissa said, her pleading words agony in Stasia’s ears. “We’ll buy you and your friends drinks.”

“I’ve got plenty of drink,” the scarred soldier said. “What say you, though? Are you faithful women of the church?” He winked. “Do you need some help with the whole ‘sire children’ thing? Not sure how I’d feel with a son of mine sporting the red eyes of a freak, but I’d wager I could accept that to spread the faith.”