Page 124 of Midnight Wedding

Nobody speaks. Everyone turns toward her. Aunt Sona is as surprised as everyone else, but she stands stiffly.

I think she’s going to turn me down. Her face is pale and hard. Her eyes are set in a scowl. Her nose twitches. Uncle Garen looks like he’s going to try to strangle me to death.

“I accept,” Aunt Sona says. “Hail thepatron.”

“Hail the fuckingpatron,” Tigran shouts, and there are a few echoes, but none are enthusiastic.

“Sona deserves this position. You all know she’s as clever as anyone in this room. Her promotion is based on her talents, not on her relationship to me or to anyone else. This is the first step toward healing our family. No longer is blood enough. Strength will guide us.”

“Strength will guide us,” Lena says by my side, looking proud and smiling broadly.

“That’s all. Finish this good food. Drink as much drink as you like. Tomorrow, the new Brotherhood moves forward.”

I hold out a hand. Lena accepts it and stands by my side. For a moment, I linger with her, letting my family see their future.

They might not like it, but they will obey.

We leave together.

Lena leans against me in the hall. “You did great,” she says, nuzzling into me. “I’m so proud of you.”

“They’re not happy.”

“You knew they wouldn’t be.”

“I’m not sure they’re going to come around.”

“They will. Trust me.” She gets on her toes and kisses me. I pull her tight and want to stay there for a few minutes, but her eyes focus on someone over my shoulder. “Turn around,” she whispers.

I release my wife and look back. Sona’s standing a few feet away. She’s alone and stiff. Her hands brush awkwardly over her bracelets, the gold and diamonds glittering. Lena pats my arm gently and retreats to give us some space.

Aunt Sona approaches. “I didn’t know you were going to do that.”

“You deserve it. Lesser men have been promoted over you for much too long.”

“It was cleverly done too. Drop that juicy bit of gossip then raise your enemy and make her an ally.”

“The war is behind us now.”

“You’re right.” She rubs her hands together and glances away. “It was never about you, you know.”

“I’m not sure how to take that.”

“I wanted to be in your life, but Aram insisted I keep my distance. Especially as you got older. I felt some resentment toward him, and I let that affect the way I treated you. It was never your fault. It was always my own shame.”

I breathe in deep. I know that already, but it’s good to hear her say it.

“We’re on the same side now,” I tell her and hold out a hand. “They won’t like all the changes we make, but I have a feeling we’ll figure out how to keep them in line.”

“I have a feeling you’re right.” She takes my hand. Her fingers are thin and bony. We shake softly. It feels weird, touching her like this. I still remember her as my aunt. But she’s my mother too. Except I doubt we’ll ever have that kind of relationship.

When she’s gone, I find Lena waiting at the end of the hallway. She steps into my arms and buries her face in my chest. “How’d that go?”

“I think it’s going to work out.”

“Yeah? Minimal suffering?”

“We’ll see about that.”

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