Kiem swallowed what felt like a sudden stone in his throat. “Er.” Someone had gone mad. He hesitated to say it was the Emperor, but it was that or Vaile, and Vaile seemed to be in full possession of her faculties. Kiem wasn’t fully acquainted with the Diplomatic Service, but a liaison post was definitely something that came with more responsibilities attached than just a treaty representative.

On the other hand, that was a command if Kiem had ever heard one. “What happens if I don’t?”

Vaile spread her hands. “Nothing.”

Kiem paused and looked over at the Emperor. She was greeting various dignitaries, apparently holding five conversations at once while leaving everyone in no doubt that she saw everything happening around her. Her hard, black eyes skimmed over the crowd and caught Kiem’s. She carried on as if she hadn’t noticed him.

Making him a diplomat was a terrible idea. Kiem found himself starting to grin.

“Sure,” he said. “What’s the worst that could happen?”

“That is certainly one way of looking at it,” Vaile said. “It seems they’ll be searching for more ambassadors to the Resolution soon as well. I’m sure you’ll have a flourishing career in the Diplomatic Service.”

“Vaile,” Kiem said. “I’m not going anywhere near the Resolution.”

Vaile gave him a small smile. “I’m glad at least someone in my family almost has themself together. Ah,” she added, just as Kiem was trying to work out if that was a compliment or not. “Speaking of family.” She nodded over to the double doors that led out from the reception room.

The doors had swept open to admit a group of latecomers in military dress, bedecked with medals and rank emblems. The crowd opened like a flower around them. Kiem took one look and groaned. “Oh, great.”

“Kiem?” Jainan detached himself from his conversation and discreetly fell in beside him. “What’s wrong?”

“My mother,” Kiem said, under his breath. “She’s not supposed to be here yet. She must have taken an earlier shuttle. Argh.” He wondered for a fleeting moment if one of the gilded chairs would give him enough cover if he concealed himself behind it and thought chair-like thoughts.

“Kiem!” A short, stout woman, her uniform bars sagging with the weight of medals on them, emerged from the center of the group.

Kiem raised a hand. “Welcome back, Mother.” He gave Jainan a sorry this is probably going to be awful look and held out his arm. Jainan took it, and they approached her together.

“General Tegnar,” Jainan said, bowing. Kiem bowed as well.

Kiem’s mother looked them up and down. “Well, at least you two are in one piece,” she said. “No sooner do I hear you’re married, Kiem, than I hear you’ve lost your partner to some sort of kidnapping.”

Kiem raised his head from his bow. “Mother!”