Alexios Valorian stared at the artifact.
His terrible day had just become worse.
"You were gone for three hours," the king said flatly.
"Was I? Felt longer to me."
"It was not." Alexios pinched the bridge of his nose. "What happened? Did you get lost on the way? Did the Goddess put you in a waiting room?"
"Something like that."
"I hoped for silence that would last weeks. Months, ideally. I even braced myself for the joyous future where you were erased from existence."
"You know, your wish was almost granted."
"What? Spare me your nonsense."
Alexios's voice carried a weariness that had nothing to do with the hour. "I can't believe I have to deal with this already."
"I'm a fast worker."
"You are a parasite. The worst this world has ever seen."
"Thanks."
"May the Goddess smite you down…"
Quinlan laughed. Genuine and short.
