Night had wrapped Reversal Cradlepoint in a soft, flickering glow. The temperature dipped just slightly, the artificial climate tuned to a chill perfect for reflection, or lounging in unearned triumph.
Which is exactly what Suprema Gamma was doing.
Slouched back on her elevated throne of obsidian alloy and rose-etched armrests, one knee thrown carelessly over the other, her hair let down from its usual tight spiral of knots, she looked less like a ruler and more like a queen caught mid-vacation in her own dominion. A cold drink clinked gently in one hand, and her boots were kicked halfway off her feet, leaving her in the most sinful state of undress a Suprema could ever indulge in: comfort.
She exhaled, letting her voice drop into the acoustics of the chamber like silk.
"My job is done. Erae, I swear to every damn goddess... I deserve a break for the next seven planetary rotations."
And just as she brought the can to her lips, a colder, sharper sensation pressed gently against the back of her neck.
Gamma stiffened.
"What in the—"
"Evening, my Lady of Chaos," a smooth, unreasonably smug voice purred behind her.
Her lips parted in surprise, though she didn't need to turn around. She knew that voice. That unbearable flirtation wrapped in a ridiculously handsome package.
"Dammit, Elias. Cold drink warfare? Really?"
Behind her stood her husband, Elias Virelun, the kind of man who made mirrors jealous. Tall, unfairly sculpted, with cheekbones that could slice metal and a mouth that was always just one word away from getting him slapped or kissed. His platinum hair was tousled like he'd just walked through a wind tunnel of flirtation, and his long coat—open at the collar, sleeves rolled up to the elbows—was the cherry on top of an utterly disrespectful ensemble of seduction.
He circled her, sauntering with the casual grace of a panther who knew the world should be at his feet. He handed her the now-warmed can with a shrug.
"You looked like you needed to cool off. Throne heatstroke is a silent killer."
Gamma narrowed her eyes but accepted the drink. "You're lucky you're pretty."
"You say that every time I invade your personal space."
"And it's always true."
Without waiting for permission—because what were marriage vows if not carte blanche—he stepped behind her throne, placed both hands gently on her shoulders, and began to massage.
And stars above, it was good.
Gamma groaned low in her throat, head tilting forward as her muscles melted into his touch.
"If you're trying to butter me up before asking for something insane," she said between sighs, "it's working. Keep going."
"Relaxing you is a civic duty," Elias replied, thumbs digging into the knot just below her scapula. "Besides, you just solved the biggest mystery in the city and made that poor tour guide girl feel like a demigod. You deserve this."
Gamma hummed in agreement, eyelids fluttering.
For a few blissful moments, it was quiet. Just soft candlelight, the low purr of the throne's mechanical support system, and the gentle rhythm of his hands against her shoulders.
Then, of course, they had to talk about Phaser.
"By the way," Elias said with exaggerated nonchalance, "Phaser glared at me again today. I think he's developed an allergy to my existence."
Gamma snorted.
"He glares at breakfast, Elias. Don't take it personally."
"I would love not to, except he acts like I defiled a sacred scroll just by breathing near you."
"You did marry his sister."
"Not my fault your mother was a matchmaking megalomaniac."
"You didn't object that hard."
"I was seventeen. You were terrifying. Your mother was more terrifying. I said yes out of sheer self-preservation."
"You're still here nine years later."
"I'm stubborn, not suicidal."
Her laughter echoed around the chamber that softened the diamond-hard exterior she usually carried. Elias leaned forward, brushing a kiss to the top of her head, his hands never pausing.
"He just doesn't like me," Elias went on dramatically. "I could save his life from a three-headed viper squid and he'd still say I blink too loud."
"Well, to be fair, you do flirt with my political enemies."
"I call that diplomacy."
"You winked at a Suprema's daughter delegate mid-trial."
"That was strategy. Besides, she waved first."
Gamma rolled her eyes but leaned further into his hands. "
I swear, one day he's going to Flux-punch you into the moon."
"I've been waiting. Then I'll land back in your lap and we'll call it a honeymoon."
"Since when were you that smooth?"
"What do you mean? I have always been like this.."
Another few beats passed. Then Elias added.
"You really can't go to the Concord Discussion now?"
Gamma sighed, the warmth in her chest momentarily cooled.
"No. Not after today. Not when we know there's someone in that gala with Sensory Flux high enough to sniff out divine touches. If they catch wind that she's Alteration-touched, it could start another war."
Elias paused his massage and rested his chin gently atop her head.
"You've always protected this city like it was your child."
Gamma smiled faintly. "Someone has to."
"You'll be missed."
She shrugged. "Not the first time I've played ghost at my own party. I'll send a proxy. Let the nobles drink and whisper theories."
"You're going to send your brother aren't you?"
"Mmm... now that you mention it, I might. That way both of us can have some fun together. I wouldn't mind going missing for a few days."
He slid down to sit on the steps below her throne, pulling her arm lazily around his shoulder like a smug housecat. She rested it there without protest.
"You're staying in tonight?"
"I have paperwork."
Elias frowned. "That is the worst answer."
She leaned her head on his.
"You want to help?"
"I thought you'd never ask. I have the sexiest signature skills this side of the border."
"Great. I'll confirm, you file."
"You really know how to spoil a man."
The soft thrum of the chamber doors sliding open cut through the warm silence. Gamma's fingers twitched on Elias's shoulder as she lifted her head. Elias, sensing the shift in atmosphere, didn't even bother to look. He knew that tension. That sudden drop in temperature wasn't the climate system malfunctioning.
It was Phaser.
And the moment his multicolored eyes landed on Elias lounging at Gamma's side, his nose wrinkled like he'd caught the scent of expired dignity.
"Still alive," Phaser muttered, voice flat as slate. "Shame."
Elias sighed and gave a lazy two-finger salute from his position beneath Gamma's arm.
"Aww, Phaser. Missed you too."
Phaser's eye twitched, only slightly.
Gamma smothered a laugh behind her drink, her elbow sliding off the throne's armrest.
"You two want a ring to settle this in, or should I just start recording now?"
"I came here for business," Phaser snapped. "Not whatever this domestic mess is."
"Hey," Elias said, lifting his head with exaggerated offense. "I'll have you know, this 'mess' has been legally married to your sister for nine years and counting. That's longer than most corporate mergers last."
"That's because corporations don't survive weakness. You're an Exi Five, Elias. One step above average. One inch away from getting folded in half by a real threat."
Elias bristled, but Gamma's hand gently squeezed his shoulder in warning. He still sat on the stairs, but his back was straight now, jaw clenched.
"Flux Ratings aren't everything. I've earned my place."
"You earned it," Phaser repeated with a dry, humorless chuckle. "By what? Making sure my sister never has a moment to herself? By existing like a lazy wine ad next to her throne?"
"That's enough," Gamma cut in, voice suddenly sharp. "I don't care how many Awakenings he has, Phaser. You don't talk about my husband like he's something I scraped off the bottom of my boot."
Phaser didn't flinch, but his gaze softened, just barely, when he looked at her.
"You know I don't say it to insult you."
"Then say it to me," Elias snapped, rising to his feet now. "Say what you're really mad about."
Phaser stared at him for a long, quiet second.
"I should be the one on that throne."
Gamma tensed. Elias stopped breathing.
"I'm the commanding twin. The strategist. The one who can bend a battlefield to my will and end a war with a single Flux maneuver. I gave you that seat because I didn't want to rule. I didn't want the attention. I let you take it, Gamma."
"And I never asked you to," she shot back, eyes flashing.
Elias stepped forward now, voice quieter but edged.
"You let her? Phaser, if you hadn't stepped aside, you wouldn't be able to look smugly down your nose from wherever you sleep. You'd be neck-deep in advisors and council drama. And more importantly, you wouldn't be able to stomach seeing me at her side."
Phaser's lips pressed together in a flat line. Elias took a breath.
"I love her. And I'm not the strongest Fluxer. But if you hadn't handed her that throne, I wouldn't have had the chance to spend nine years beside her. And you know what? I'm grateful for that. Even if you hate me for it."
Gamma's heart thudded like a war drum. Silence stretched long and thin between them. And then Phaser, with maddening calm, chuckled.
"At least you're self-aware."
"Wow. Remind me to get you a mirror for your birthday."
Gamma rolled her eyes. "Alright, showdown over. Phaser, why are you here?"
Her twin straightened, as if only now remembering his purpose.
"I came to let you know I've completed the bureaucratic documentation and cleared the Reversal Cradlepoint registry for the next four days."
Gamma blinked. "You… did all the paperwork?"
"Yes."
"All of it?"
"Yes."
Elias whispered, "Is this a trap?"
Phaser ignored him.
"I'm going to the Concord Discussion in your place. There's someone I need to speak with there. And I need to meet with Mother."
Gamma's expression soured. "She's going?"
"If she doesn't see one of us there, she'll assume rebellion and start another civil meltdown. She's bored. You know what she gets like."
Elias whistled. "Divine madness in a silk dress. Love that woman."
"The venue's been relocated to Amsterdam. Apparently, the issue with the Unknown Zone Permonelle discovered caused too much concern. The gala was deemed a security risk. Gamma, you'll want to crosscheck the diplomatic reshuffling."
Gamma sighed, the reality returning.
"Got it. Thanks."
Phaser turned to go, his coat flaring behind him. He paused at the door, glanced back, and said with a note of genuine concern.
"You've been pushing yourself for days. Relax. You're going to collapse if you don't."
He glanced at Elias, then added, "Take care of her."
Elias, slightly stunned, nodded. "I will."
And then Phaser left. But the air he left behind was different.
Elias slowly turned back toward the throne, hand running through his hair.
"Did… did he just tell me to take care of you?"
Gamma smiled faintly, her hand still resting where his warmth lingered.
"He did."
"He hates me slightly less now. I feel like I've just been knighted by a very mean angel."
She chuckled softly and leaned back against her throne. But her eyes didn't close, not yet. Because even though her brother was infuriating, strict, and could probably shatter a canyon with his pinky, he had been there more times than she could count. When she nearly blacked out during the Reactor. He had always been there to shoulder some of the chaos.
And now he was gone again, off to guard her honor in another glittering nightmare of politics.
Gamma tilted her head back, flushed lightly from thought alone.
"I'd be dead without him," she murmured.
Elias, still behind her, wrapped his arms loosely around her from behind.
"You'd survive. But you'd be a lot more miserable."
"Probably."
He kissed her temple, whispering, "But you've got us both now."