The Marshal Is My Mate novel · Chapter 17 of 24
Chapter 17: Not a Medicine
The Empress received them in a small gray room behind the throne hall.
There was one table, three chairs and a map of the empire's border on the wall.
Garrick stood. Lucan sat. The Empress poured her own tea.
"The Outer Marches are failing," she said. "Three storm fronts in a year. The fleet there has lost two ships and has no one who can hold the line."
"I know the reports, Majesty," Garrick said.
"I want you to take the command."
"Yes."
"I also want an answer today."
Garrick did not answer.
The Empress turned her sharp eyes on Lucan.
"Duke Merrow. The Bureau has asked me to offer the Marshal a choice. Six Drones of the first rank, all of them trained, all of them willing. Any of them can go with him tomorrow."
"Six," Lucan said.
"A Marshal on a border ship cannot go without a Drone. He has never kept one for more than a night. I would not send him without a way to settle."
She set down her cup.
"I'll be plain. Which would the Marshal prefer? A Drone chosen by the Bureau, or the husband he pulled out of a ballroom?"
Lucan said nothing.
He felt a small cold stone sit down in his stomach.
Any warm hand.
He had told himself so many times, on the stairs and in the car and in the dark.
The words came back now in his own voice.
Six trained Drones. A cleaner choice. One that cost the Marshal nothing.
"Marshal?" the Empress said.
"I'll not take them," Garrick said.
"Then you'll refuse the command."
"Yes."
The Empress's eyebrows rose a fraction.
"I will go to the Marches," Garrick said, "if Lucan chooses to come. If he doesn't, I stay in the capital and the fleet can find another man."
Lucan stood so fast his chair scraped.
"Garrick."
"Not here."
"You can't throw a command away for me."
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