"I swore loyalty to you."
"Mezos…" Arik released a quiet sigh. "I am not asking you to surrender your life in Agaron for me."
"Arik, pardon me for a moment." Mezos inhaled slowly. "For someone reborn from a legendary emperor and raised by Damian and Gabriel, you are remarkably stupid sometimes."
Arik stared at him.
Mezos held his gaze without apology.
"My parents would execute men for considerably less."
"Your parents would agree with me."
That was probably true, which made the insult worse.
Mezos closed his eyes for one measured breath, perhaps gathering patience from a reserve already strained by a fractured Gate, damaged channels, several days without proper sleep, and the realization that his prince had apparently inherited Goliath's talent for making personal decisions on behalf of everyone within reach.
When he opened them again, his blue ether had steadied.
