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“You will get used to it.”

“But not from you. I need you as a friend, not a subject.”

Ela inclined her head.

“I will always be your friend, Vahn. You know that. Now come on. Your people are waiting.”

She led him to the communications deck where an imposing desk had been set up in front of the Imperial Flag. Vahn took his seat and faced the vis-cam.

When he spoke, he injected his words with warmth and passion, pledging to live up to his father’s legacy and promising to end the war.

At the end of it, he looked to the general for a reaction, uncertain how his message had come across. She clasped her hands and touched them briefly to her forehead – their private code for ‘not bad.’

Vahn half-smiled. Coming from Ela, that was praise indeed.

“Rhyn is waiting to speak with you,” she told him as she escorted him back to his quarters. “I’ve patched him through to your private monitor. Apparently Baelon is hopping mad.”

“I am sure he is. He won’t be happy you found me.”

“On the contrary. He’s telling everyone who listens he’s been praying non-stop for your safe return.”

“How very pious.”

“However you should know that when you first went missing, he said Vraxos should prepare itself for news of your death.”

Vahn snorted.

“Pre-empting my demise. Yes, that sounds like Baelon.”

“And when your father fell ill, he started advocating for himself as the next in line. He said Vraxos couldn’t afford to wait until your death had been confirmed.” Ela’s tone was neutral and Vahn gave her the side-eye.

“Would you have backed him?”

“Probably. I don’t like his methods but he is strong and clever. And he has a lot of support.”

“I’m surprised. I thought you would have preferred Rhyn.”

“Rhyn thinks with his heart more than his head. That is a weakness.”

“I take it he never lost hope that I was still alive?”

“Of course not.” Ela’s lip curled. “You know Rhyn. Ever the optimist. And that is why he will never win against one such as Baelon.”

Vahn didn’t say anything. Ela had always preferred brute strength over empathy. In fact, if she could see the turmoil in his heart right now, if she knew how he felt about a human, she’d recoil in horror.

They stopped outside his quarters.

“Zhaal Talvahnax.” Ela’s sudden formality sounded awkward. “Now that you are the Emperor I am bound by the Constitution to ask if you intend to make any significant changes to the military?”

Vahn’s ridged brow creased further.

“Are you asking if I’m going to fire you?”

“New appointments often follow a change in leadership,” she retorted. “And we’ve been at war with the humans for many years. It is conceivable that you might want to shake things up.”

“Ela, I’ve known you since before we could walk. I’m happy with you as my military commander.”

“You shouldn’t let sentimentality get in the way of your judgement. There are several experienced Vraxian officers who would make excellent army chiefs.”