Kamoj blinked. It sounded like Dazza meant Vyrl’s actions were more than a drunken whim, that something special about she, Kamoj, had drawn him to her. It unsettled her to discover just how much she wanted that to be true.

Feeling awkward, she said, “He is also important to me. But each time it seems he will be all right, he wants to drink again. I had thought he would stop.”

Softly Dazza said, “I wish it worked that way.”

“Can you help?”

“I can treat his withdrawal symptoms. And his craving. But I can’t make him want to quit.” She spoke in a quiet voice. “I’m trying to reach him. But in the end it must be his choice.”

“Can’t you give him something to make him stop?”

Dazza shook her head. “I don’t think so. I could inject nanomeds that would interact with alcohol to make him sick every time he drinks. But if I force him to quit that way, it won’t stick. In the end all I would probably achieve is to earn more of his resentment.” She grimaced. “Besides which, if I did it without his consent, I would be breaking the law and endangering ISC relations with the Ruby Dynasty.”

Kamoj nodded. She and Maxard had often had to juggle politics with expediency for the sake of Argali. “Vyrl doesn’t seem like someone who would drink so much.”

“Apparently he never had much interest in it prior to—” The colonel stopped, then said, “to a sickness he suffered.”

“He told me about the coffin.”

Dazza stared at her. “He told you?” When Kamoj nodded, the doctor said, “He’s refused to speak of it with anyone else.”

“If he can talk to me, can’t he stop drinking too?”

“It’s not that easy. His body expects it now. Stopping will make him sick.”

“You can help him with that.”

She nodded. “Yes. But mentally he also depends on it. He thinks he can’t survive without it.”

“He can.”

“Vyrl doesn’t believe it.” Dazza exhaled. “I wish I could make him see. Few people could survive what happened as well as he has. It’s even more remarkable because his being a psion amplified the experience, gods only know how much. Something had to give. I hate what the alcohol is doing to him, but it could have been a lot worse. He hasn’t tried to commit suicide. And incredibly, despite everything, he came through it with his mind and personality intact.”

“He thinks the rum does that for him.”

“Please, Kamoj. Don’t give it to him.”

She twisted her hands together. “He gets so angry.”

“I know. But you must refuse.”

“This is easy for you to say. You don’t share his bed.”

The colonel blinked. “Well, no. I’ve my own husband.”

Kamoj doubted Dazza had ever suffered the humiliation of being banned from her bridal bed. “I am the one who must live with him.”

Dazza spoke carefully. “No one will force you to stay in this marriage if you desire otherwise.”

“Your ISC wishes Vyrl and I didn’t wed, don’t they?”

It was a moment before Dazza answered. “It is true that the marriage complicates an already complicated situation.”

“You will all leave here, yes?”

“Yes. Probably soon.”

“What happens to me then?”

“The choice to come or stay is yours.”

“Is it?” Kamoj made a conscious effort to keep her voice even. “Vyrl has set himself up as the authority in Argali. If he leaves, it will bring great shame to my province.” And to her. “Especially given the way he became governor.”

“Surely a way exists to let you save face.”

Kamoj made an incredulous noise. “More must be saved than ‘face.’ Argali is dying. Why do you think I was betrothed to Ironbridge? Lionstar humiliated Ironbridge, and if Vyrl leaves, he humiliates Argali as well. If I stay here alone, what happens to the merger? To my province? To my line? Unless I am pregnant when Vyrl leaves, I will have no heir. If I am pregnant, and alone, my uncle will feel honor-bound to stay as guardian to the child, as he did for me. If I leave with Vyrl, Maxard will stay to govern Argali. Either way, Maxard cannot marry his lady in the North Sky Islands. Both Argali and the Argali bloodline, one of the oldest in Balumil, will end.”

Dazza leaned forward. “Rest assured, Vyrl would never leave you without the full resources of his title and name. And he can return for visits.”

“You think politics will play attendance on visits?” Or loneliness? Bitterly Kamoj said, “Perhaps it doesn’t matter. If Vyrl goes, Jax Ironbridge will probably seek his place. Vyrl could return to find his wife taken, and his child too, if we have one.” She swallowed. “Given the circumstances, I suspect Ironbridge would eliminate the heir of a rival.”

The colonel stared at her. “Saints almighty, Kamoj, we would never let that happen. Don’t you understand your position? You are a Ruby consort. Do you have any idea what that means?”

“No.”

Dazza paused at the blunt response. In a gentler voice, she said, “Your marriage gives you the highest standing a person can have among my people. ISC would never strand you, your family, or your province.” She hesitated. “Assuming it is your wish to remain married to Vyrl rather than Ironbridge.”

A voice came from behind them. “Colonel Pacal?”

Dazza looked past Kamoj. “Yes?”

Turning, Kamoj saw the Ascendant stagwoman in the doorway. “Prince Havyrl wants to know what happened to his wife,” the guard said.

“Hai.” Kamoj stood up. “I will be right there.”

“Governor Argali,” Dazza said. When Kamoj turned, the doctor added, “One more moment, if you don’t mind.”

Kamoj sat down. “Yes, ma’am?”

In a soft voice Dazza said, “Gods know, I may be letting my hope run away from me. But I do believe Vyrl wants to quit.” She paused, watching Kamoj. “If he can just make it one day without the rum, it’s a start. Don’t bring it to him. Please.”

Kamoj swallowed. “I will do my best.”

Gently the doctor added, “And if he isn’t ready to stop, don’t blame yourself.”

Kamoj nodded. Then she stood and went to Vyrl’s bodyguard. The woman bowed, then accompanied Kamoj back to the tower.

Kamoj reentered the suite to find Vyrl sitting on the edge of the bed. He watched as she walked up the dais to him.

“Where is it?” he asked.

She stopped in front of him. “I didn’t get it.”

“Who were you talking to down there? Dazza?” When Kamoj flushed, his voice tightened. “Your laws say you’re supposed to do what I tell you, don’t they? So get it for me.”

“You don’t mean that.”

“Don’t tell me what I mean.” He started to get off the bed. “I’ll go myself.”

“Vyrl, no.” Kamoj pushed him back. “You were almost killed today. You shouldn’t be up at all.” She took his hands. “Listen. I’ll rub your head. We can hold each other. Every time you want a drink, we’ll make love. So many better ways exist to sooth your demons than soaking them in rum.”

Despite himself, his mouth quirked in a smile. “I like your cures a lot better than the ones Dazza comes up with.” In a gentler voice he said, “But I don’t need this ‘cure,’ water sprite. It does more damage than what it is meant to fix. If Dazza told you otherwise, she’s wrong.”

Kamoj lifted his hand and bit at his knuckles in a gesture of affection common throughout the Northern Lands. “Please.”

Instead of answering her, he said, “Men do that where I come from.” He lifted her hand and kissed her knuckles, pressing his teeth against them. “Like this.”

“Only women do it here.”

He pulled her to stand between his legs, his arms around her waist. “Women this, men that. All these ‘rules’ exist and they’re different everywhere. Do you know what I think? That under all those rules, people love the same. They find their way to each other no matter what.”

She put her arms around him. “I can’t bear to see you hurt yourself.”

“I just need a drink. It helps. Not hurts.”

“It’s drowning you.”

“That’s flaming nonsense, Kamoj. Did Dazza pressure you to do this?”