Abaddon's Gift

Chapter Forty-Five

Nendan slapped a placard onto the table between Naena and Graydon. He glared at her then turned his attention to Graydon.

The woman, in that moment, simply looked like a startled woman. It was no wonder she was having difficulty if she could be frightened so easily. Her big brown eyes reminded Nendan of a doe waiting for slaughter. She wasn't quite plain, but also wasn't beautiful either, caught somewhere in between.

If she had been homely, she would have had an easier time because the boys would have left her alone. If she had been beautiful, they would have been fawning over her. They would have fought one another for the possibility of her hand in marriage.

"Borderline," Nendan said.

Meaning that what he had to say might be considered private Seven business. He was aware of Naena being brought into the fold and thus left it up to Graydon to decide whether they had that conversation there or in a private room.

"Please proceed," Graydon said.

"I've had someone demand I kill the dean because he killed a woman that someone else loved."

"We're letting murders live now?"

The cold edge to the woman's voice sent a shudder down Nendan's spine. He struggled to control himself as he straightened and met her icy eyes and blank expression.

Ignore a shield.

Nendan turned his attention to Graydon instead, trying to not show how terrified he was of the mage.

"And?" Graydon asked.

"I've received a request for a griever for Maeno. My father and Trathor witnessed and signed the writ. I will create it, he will wear it. For the sake of your mage, let's be plain. You keep doing what you're doing, don't put him in danger, and I will sit back and allow everything to happen. However."

And then Nendan stopped talking to be certain that he had Graydon's attention.

"However?" Graydon asked.

Nendan sucked in a breath and leaned toward Graydon. He whispered the next bit, not wanting the woman to hear, not knowing her stance on the matter nor wanting to have that debate.

"Your comments about pussies and feminine men will no longer be uttered around him."

"I'm sorry, what now?" Naena demanded.

"She has excellent hearing," Graydon said.

"Thanks for the warning," Nendan said with a little nod and a shrug before he turned to Naena. "Graydon is a product of the generation which raised him. A man's place is with his cock in a woman and ruling over all in his domain—including his woman."

"I've never—" Graydon protested.

"You've ignored, that's enough," Nendan said. "You remained silent when we needed protection. That's enough."

"I cannot overturn generations of traditions to soothe your ego," Graydon responded.

"I'm not asking you to, I'm telling you that you'll say nothing to Maeno about it. In that manner, he is under my protection, understand?"

"Are pissing contests among the heirs a normal thing?" Naena asked as she leaned down so that she could give Graydon a look.

"Yes," Graydon said, keeping his eyes on Nendan.

"I have homework piling up."

"Then go," Nendan said.

"No, Naena, stay."