"Do you think I'm unaware?" Darius asked, his voice cold enough to freeze air.
Aeric shut his eyes briefly and smiled. "Why would you be unaware? You're the emperor, after all. An emperor has eyes everywhere… even on the back of his head." He tapped the back of his own skull lightly. "So if that isn't your concern, then what is?"
Darius didn't answer. Aeric continued anyway.
"What I'm saying is—yes, you've become emperor. But you haven't secured your throne yet. Anyone could yank you down and take your seat. So don't you think risking all of that for that woman is… a little immature? And besides—her son is an illegitimate child. Even if you insist on marrying her, you could still make her a concubine. Why risk years of planning for this?"
His tone was casual, but the worry was real.
Darius's eyes darkened. "Never. Once. In. Your. Life. Ever. Refer to her as 'that woman.'"
He spoke like he was spitting poison.
