Darling didn't react to the insult in any way. Instead, he smiled coldly. "My father always said that you know the absolute second you've won a fight. It's when your opposition has run out of logic with which to battle, and the name-calling commences. But really, how unimaginative of you. There are thousands of other insults that are so much more creative and demeaning. And I would actually respect you if you had the nerve to stand by your convictions and face me when you insult me." He scanned the crowd with a sneer of contempt. "Homosexual or not, no one can ever accuse me of cowardice. If I'm going to insult someone, I at least have the balls to do it to their face."

The gerents began shouting in outrage.

Zarya's eyes widened as fear for Darling tore through her. "They're going to eat him alive."

Syn shook his head. "Oh no... Wait for it."

She was aghast at his nonchalance. "For what? The bloodshed?"

True to Syn's words, Darling allowed them to scream for several more minutes.

Finally, he rose to his feet. They quieted instantly, with the majority of them scanning the room to see where Darling had positioned his guards. Which made sense since anyone else would have called for their arrest.

Instead, Darling took a deep breath. "I seriously hope that all of you have gotten that out of your systems. We can sit here and you can insult me, my parentage, my lifestyle, hell, let's even throw in the color of my shoes for good measure, or we can do what we're supposed to do. Take care of our people."

With a fierce set to his jaw, he swept the delegates with a condemning countenance. "I know under Arturo's reign that many of you took liberties you shouldn't have. I know he arrested or exiled anyone who didn't agree with him, and confiscated their lands and titles. Those who supported him were given the luxury of his turning a blind eye to all their activities, no matter how illegal or immoral. So long as you paid his fees, he left you alone."

Darling paused to let that seep into their collective minds before he spoke in a cold tone. "I am not my uncle. I am not my father, but I do subscribe to the twenty rules he taught me from the cradle. One, if you're afraid to fight, then you'll never win. Two, in times of tragedy and turmoil, you'll learn who your true friends are. Treasure them because they are few and far between. Three, know your enemies, and never become your own worst one. Four, be grateful for those enemies. They will keep you honest and ever striving to better yourself. Five, listen to all good advice, but never substitute someone else's judgment for your own. Six, all men and women lie. But never lie to yourself. Seven, many will flatter you. Befriend the ones who don't, for they will remind you that you're human and not infallible. Eight, never fear the truth. It's the lies that will destroy you. Nine, your worst decisions will always be those that are made out of fear. Think all matters through with a clear head. Ten, your mistakes won't define you, but your memories, good and bad, will. Eleven, be grateful for your mistakes as they will tell you who and what you're not. Twelve, don't be afraid to examine the past, it's how you learn what you don't want to do again. Thirteen, there's a lot to be said for not knowing better. Fourteen, all men die. Not everyone lives. Fifteen, on your deathbed, your greatest regrets will be what you didn't do. Sixteen, don't be afraid to love. Yes, it's a weakness that can be used against you. But it's also a source of the greatest strength you will ever know. Seventeen, the past is history written in stone that can't be altered. The future is transitory and never guaranteed. Today is the only thing you can change for certain. Have the courage to do so and make the most of it because it could be all you'll ever have. Eighteen, you can be in a crowd, surrounded by people, and still be lonely. Nineteen, love all, regardless of what they do. Trust only those you have to. Harm none until they harm you. And twenty... Never be afraid to kill or destroy your enemies. They won't hesitate to kill or destroy you."

The gerents glanced about nervously.

Darling met Drake's gaze and his brother gave him a nod of proud approval. "Number twenty is the only thing I share with my uncle. But unlike Arturo, I don't believe in torture. I don't believe in imprisonment. I trade in execution. You come at me, expect to die."

"Are you threatening us?"

"No," Darling said simply. "I'm stating my policy for all of you to hear and to know. You're well aware of how I came to power. That I cut Arturo's throat and dared his guards to arrest me. You've seen my punishment for those who were foolish enough to underestimate me, and those who harmed my family. So long as I breathe, that won't change."

One of the older gerents stood to address him. "And what of the Resistance leader? You say you don't believe in imprisonment and yet you hold her prisoner."

Zarya bit her lip in trepidation of Darling's answer.

He didn't hesitate with it. "The Grand Marleena is free to do whatever it is she desires. She's been granted a full pardon. Her family lands and all their titles have been reinstated to her and her sister."

That news floored her. Why hadn't he told her that?

The gerent screwed his face up into a mask of disbelief. "Then why is she still with you?"

Darling smiled. "Hell if I know. But she has agreed to do me the honor of becoming my consort and wife."

That news caused another violent wave of protests.

"She's a criminal!"

"Her father was a traitor!"

"Death to the Resistance, and all its members!"

"How could you even think about marrying an outlaw?"

"You insult us with that choice!"

"Have you not seen what the Resistance has done to this empire?"

"No wonder you were confined to a mental ward. You're insane!"

Variations on all the above rang out in a harsh cacophony.

Until Kyr Zemen stepped forward. Dressed in full League battle gear, he only broke from one League tradition. He didn't have on a pair of sunglasses. Most likely due to the eye patch he wore over his right eye. Though to be honest, he didn't need the sunglasses to be sinister. He pulled it off with an aura of I'll-kick-your-ass-so-hard-your-ancestors-will-feel-it. In fact, he hemorrhaged stone-cold cruelty from every pore of his body.

Now that she knew he was related to Maris, she saw the similarities in their features. Aside from their shared height, Kyr also had that indefinable intensity of personality. But where Maris had black hair, Kyr's was a deep chestnut brown that gleamed with reddish highlights.

And the sneer on his face questioned Darling's mental capacity. "You did not get League sanction to pardon her."

Darling shrugged nonchalantly. Something that was either extremely brave...

Or incredibly stupid.

"Since she's only wanted by my government, I didn't have to seek your approval."

Kyr tsked at him. "You should have consulted us anyway."

The smile on Darling's face was absolutely frigid. "Last time I read the laws, the Caronese governor wasn't a pawn of the League's. Rather we're a sovereign empire."

Kyr gave him a hostile glare that was tinged with something that appeared to be hope. "Are you declaring war on us?"

Darling deftly sidestepped that loaded land mine. "By stating Universal law? I don't see how. Are you declaring war on the Caronese?"

He narrowed his eye on Darling. "I detect a note of rebellion in your tone."

But Darling refused to be cowed. "And I detect a note of contempt in yours."

Maris sucked his breath in sharply. "Darling... don't goad the devil. He won't take it well."

Zarya didn't comment on Maris's warning as she continued to watch and listen to the meeting.

A slow, sadistic smile curled Kyr's lips. "Perhaps you see your own sins in the actions of others. I believe your psychologists and therapists"-that was a low blow to bring up Darling's past in front of the others-"would call that projection."

Darling didn't rise to the bait. He stayed eerily calm under fire. "Again, I say to you that I am not my uncle. If I was to declare war, or should I ever rebel, there won't be any guessing. It will be clearly stated and unmistakable."

The heat in Kyr's eye said that he was begging for Darling to take a single wrong step. "I only have one other question for you, Governor." Could he have put any more contempt into that title?

"And that is?"

"What does your boyfriend have to say about your upcoming marriage to a woman?"

The room erupted with laughter and mockery.

A taunting grin curled Kyr's lips. "It must be so confusing for you at night when you have to figure out which part of her anatomy to tap."

The rage in Darling's gaze was unmistakable, but to his credit, he kept it in check. Something that amazed and mystified her.

"What was it you accused me of a moment ago?" Darling asked Kyr. "Oh yes... projection. I do believe, dear Commander, that your sins are now aired before all."

Everyone in the room sucked their breath in, waiting for Kyr to attack.

Instead, he took a single step forward. "You're playing a dangerous game with a most lethal opponent."

Darling's expression dared him to make a move. "You're talking to someone who experiments with explosives in order to wind down at night. Believe me, I learned a long time ago exactly how much pressure to apply in order to achieve the desired result." He stared at Kyr's eye patch. "Not to mention Nykyrian Quiakides taught me well."

Syn snickered at Darling's comeback. He jerked his chin to Nykyrian, then explained to her the significance of Darling's comment. "Just so you know, Zarya, Kip's the one who injured Kyr's eye."

She let out a low whistle at Darling's nerve in bringing that up.

Kyr stepped back. "I bid you well, Governor. And I leave you to the care of your empire." He swept his gaze around the gerents, then finally pinned it to Ryn. "May you follow in your father's footsteps."

Darling took that veiled threat in stride. "Thank you, Commander. And may you reap all the fruits of your diligent work."

Zarya held her breath as Kyr glared at Darling, then turned and stormed from the room. The rest of the League soldiers fell in behind him.

Syn shook his head. "Our boy is something else."

She couldn't agree more, but his fearlessness terrified her. "Remind me not to ever try to verbally outmaneuver Darling. He's good."

Maris winked at her. "You have no idea. He's like lightning in everything he does." He paused and gave her a quick once-over. "Well, not everything. But it's good that he takes his time with that."

Heat stung her cheeks. Unwilling to comment, she returned her attention to Syn's mobile.

There was so much tension and animosity in that room that she felt terrible for Darling. She couldn't imagine having to stay so controlled while facing so many people who loathed her.

The gerent leader stepped forward. "You still haven't told us what you intend to do with the Resistance... my lord governor."

Wow, it was impressive how he made that title sound like an insult.

"I will deal with them."

Laughter rang out again from the group.

"As you dealt with them before?" His features smug, the leader swept his gaze around the room. "I wonder whose name they'll carve into your face this time."

Rage darkened her sight at that verbal blow. She started for the counsel room, but Maris stopped her.

"You can't go in there," he warned.

"So I'm supposed to stand here, listening to them attack him and do nothing? You're asking too much of me, Mari." She gestured to Syn's mobile. "That was so wrong."

Worse, it was unbelievably cruel.

Sadness darkened Maris's eyes. "But it's not the worst he's had to suffer. Believe me."

She winced at a truth that made her want to kill someone. It was one thing to be told about the horrors Darling had suffered. It was another to watch it happen.

Syn turned his device off. "That's enough of that." He glanced to Nykyrian. "You know, I can find that man's address. Accidents happen all the time."

"They do, indeed," Nykyrian said with a sigh, "but unfortunately, Darling would explode if we interfered with his governorship."

Syn growled deep in his throat. "Damn shame that."

"Yes, it is." Zarya was far from satisfied. "Can I at least kick the gerent some place that counts?" She glanced to Syn. "I can always say that, too, was an accident."

Syn laughed. "You're such a perfect addition to our crew."

Maybe, but she couldn't get past one truth that kept slapping her in the face. "I'm a detriment to Darling, aren't I?"

"No," Maris said firmly. "If not for you, we wouldn't have him at all. You weren't here, Zarya. You didn't see him when he was first released from the hospital."

"He's right about that." Caillen jerked his chin toward the mobile. "That is not the same man who was walking around wired in explosives, daring people to attack him. He's sane again. And I have to be honest, I didn't really think anyone could reach him and bring him back to us."

Indignant, Maris stiffened. "Is that why you told me to do it?"

Caillen grinned impishly at him. "I figured you were the least likely to be gutted if you failed."

"Oh thank you, Cai. You're so considerate."

Zarya started to speak, then paused as she caught sight of Kyr in the doorway. He was staring a hole through Nykyrian.

Syn nudged Nykyrian slightly to get his attention. "Look, Kip. Your friend wants to say hi."

Nykyrian scoffed. "Damn, you're slow, Syn. He's been eyeballing me for about five minutes now."

Syn snorted. "Eyeballing. Ar, ar. I get it."

Unamused, Nykyrian released an elongated breath, but Zarya thought it was funny.

Sick, true. Still...

She sobered as Kyr and his four League escorts came over to them. Given the way he'd been staring, she expected him to approach Nykyrian.

Instead, he stopped in front of her and raked her with a sneer. "What are you doing here?"

She gifted him with her best eat-crap-and-choke smile. "I was personally invited by the governor. You?"

Caillen started laughing, then had to quickly pretend to cough as Kyr glared at him. And she couldn't help noticing the amused quirk to the corners of Safir's mouth. A quirk he quickly hid before the others saw it.

Returning his attention to Zarya, Kyr curled his lip. "No wonder the air in here is stale."

Nykyrian scoffed. "Little boy, don't. Darling already cleaned your clock. I think you've had enough humiliation for one night. But if not... I am willing to hand you your other eye."

Yeah, that comment didn't go over particularly well. Part of her expected Kyr to go for Nykyrian's throat. But apparently his common sense held sway over his suicidal tendencies.