Book 2: Are You Satisfied?

Estrella

“Yes, Mother.” I prod at the toast on my plate. For the last week, that’s about all I’ve eaten. I have no stomach. I just keep turning the night over and over again.

Castor shakes his head. “I don’t believe you were even listening.”

I glare at my brother, but in truth, I wasn’t. I know I should be. Since the news of the assassin being caught, Mother has been a shade more herself, enough that she’s managed a private, late-morning meal to discuss the transfer of power when we return to Sundrop. It’s always when now, as opposed to her if of a few days ago.

“Apologies, Mother,” I say, looking at Castor. “I don’t believe he knows what he’s saying.”

She offers us a small smile, a pale echo of what she once was capable of, but brighter than yesterday. “Don’t bicker. You know how your father hated that around the table.”

Invoking his name even quells Castor. I return to picking at my toast.

“We’ll have the… funeral first.”