Empire of Bones Read Free Page B

perspective to this family.”
    He laughed before he could stop himself. Clapping his hand over his mouth only made his mirth more obvious. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t laugh. The Imperial Marines are a fine group of men and women. I just have difficulty imagining you in their ranks. In spite of your occasionally combative nature, you’re a little…petite for a combat role. And you just don’t have the requisite killer instinct.”
    She stood and stared at him haughtily. Unfortunately, her eyes were still at almost the same height as his. “Are you saying that my lowly one point five meters makes me unsuitable for hand-to-hand combat?”
    “Yes. I’m afraid that’s exactly what I’m saying. I’m positive the smallest woman I’ve seen in the marines topped you by a head and weighed half again more than you weigh. It might be…embarrassing to the Imperial dignity to have them hold you at arm’s length while you swing futilely at them.”
    Kelsey sighed theatrically and sat back down. “I suppose I need to cancel my order for combat armor and automatic weapons.”
    “That might be for the best, yes.” His eyes twinkled. “Despite my questionable sense of humor, any service would be better for having you, though I really don’t think you’re suited for the marines.”
    “Maybe I should date one.”
    His shocked expression made her laugh. “You should see your face. It’s like you’ve seen a ghost.”
    He made a gesture for warding off evil. “Don’t even joke about that. My heart might fail.”
    She tilted her head a little to the side. “Why? I thought you said they were fine men.”
    “They are. Just not the kind of men a father wants his daughter to date. I’ll make sure to send any you find attractive to Thule for an extended period. Perhaps a decade will do as an example to the rest.”
    Kelsey gave him a gimlet eye. “You think you’re funny, but you’re not.” She resumed her seat with a sigh. “I doubt I’m a good candidate for the military at all, honestly. I’ve tried to get into the social scene, doing good works there, but I’m not satisfied. Thinking about Jared made me realize that he’s achieved so much in his chosen field. He commands a ship in the Imperial Fleet. That’s huge!”
    Her father nodded. “That’s a very significant thing indeed. I served in Fleet long enough to gain a tremendous respect for the kind of person who commands a ship in space. The very least of them is a leader of some note. Your half-brother is far from the least of them. His commanding officers all respect him. Admiral Yeats told me that if he’d had his way, Jared would be commanding a cruiser task force by now. One day he’ll be an admiral. Not because of his connection to our family, but in spite of it.”
    “That won’t go over well with Ethan,” she mumbled only barely audibly.
    She gave him a haughty stare. “And just so you know, that doesn’t make me feel any better. I mean, hello, this conversation is about me and my options…or lack thereof.”
    “You know you can literally do anything. What do you enjoy doing that might translate into some career?”
    “I don’t know. I’m good at the things you’ve trained me to do as an Imperial ruler, but that isn’t likely. Ethan is depressingly healthy and I like you too much to have you assassinated.”
    “Well that is an obstacle to your ascension to the Imperial Throne. Remind me to hire some food tasters at once.”
    “Right after dinner.”
    “Ha! Good one! Honestly, there are careers that are perfectly suited for your skills. For example, you trained with that young man from the Department of Imperial Affairs for a while. They handle diplomatic affairs of all kinds inside the Empire. That’s something we’ll always need.”
    She nodded slowly. “True. Carlo Vega. He’s a senior attaché, and I admit that his work always seemed interesting.”
    “I’m sure there are other avenues you could pursue. You’ve been spending a