His gaze turned hawkish on me. “Unless, last night…”

“Last night and tonight are not your concern,” I told him.

“He’s a large man.”

Oh bloody faith.

“Would you please—?” I tried.

“And it is—”

“Father, please—”

“Utterly reprehensible—”

“Can we please—?”

Suddenly he bent and put his face in mine.

“It’s villainy,” he hissed. “Callous villainy. Not a realm in Triton carries on thus. Even the bounden of Mar-el and females of Airen have more rights than those poor souls Mars put to death this morning. And forced my daughter to watch him do it.”

He did not force me.

It was my choice.

But he did do it.

Mars absolutely did just that.

“They came through my window with the intent to kill me, Father,” I reminded him.

“And yes. Of course. They should be executed. After tribunal, for the gods’ sakes.”

“They were caught in the act.”

He shot back to straight. “You cannot possibly—”

I didn’t wish to start this conversation.

And now I needed to finish it.

“I need a sip of water and a moment to myself.”

He rearranged his face instantly and muttered, “Of course. I’ll see to this. Would you like to use your mother and my chamber?”

“I can see to myself, but I thank you.”

“Please, Silence, allow me to see to you.”

He then changed his expression again. We were back at my funeral. Even if I stood before him living and breathing, for some reason my father was desirous of making me think I was dead to him in some way.

And he did not bide his time to share what way that was.

“You’re aware I won’t see you at all after the royal weddings are through. Your new husband forbids it.”

I stared up at my sire. “He…forbids it?”

He nodded curtly. “Yes. Of course. He told me I was never to see you again once he had you to himself in Firenze. You might see your mother, if he allows it. But me, not ever again. Surely he’s shared this with you.”

He had.

Of a sort.

I just didn’t know he’d shared the same with Father.

And I was under the impression I had some say in this.

“And your mother obviously will never come to see you without me,” Father continued. “And your king will not allow you back to Wodell.”

He wouldn’t?

He’d said nothing about that.

“I’ll talk to him about this,” I murmured.

“I wouldn’t,” he replied swiftly. “Please, do naught to anger him, my darling child. He is…today he has….” He shook his head. “Tread very cautiously, my Silence. I cannot say I’ve ever had a great deal of respect for Gallienus.”

It shocked me he said this. He’d never said much about Gallienus except such as, “All are too hard on him. We cannot know the strains of rule.”