"No… Let's meet them."
Arik studied him for one second too long.
Liam lowered the blanket just enough to glare. "Do not look surprised. I am injured, not suicidal. If I send my mother away after Felix poisoned me, she will return with legal documents, Mirelle, and possibly a priest."
"A priest?"
"For burial purposes. Not mine, presumably."
Arik's mouth twitched.
Liam pointed weakly. "Do not smile. This is a real threat."
"I believe you."
"Good." Liam pushed the blanket aside with the despair of a man preparing for war and dinner at the same time. "But I am not meeting them in bed."
Arik went still. "Liam."
"No. I have been poisoned, kidnapped, emotionally dismantled, historically traumatized, and denied blueprints. I will not also be observed like a tragic decorative invalid."
"You have not eaten in over a day."
"Then I will sit at a table and eat like a person with rights."
Arik looked at the monitoring ward on Liam's chest.
The ward pulsed blue.
