New Sister

Selene guided the pair of them to the nearest balcony exit. Stepping out onto the cool, crisp air was more refreshing than Alexandros wanted to admit. He liked to think he bore the mantle of High Regent well. But it had a price even he couldn't ignore.

"Beautiful, isn't it?" Selene said softly as she stared toward the horizon.

The sky glowed with a dozen colours as the setting sun left a parting gift. "It is," Alexandros murmured as he allowed the troubles of his office slide off his shoulders. "Your final day as a maiden, as is my last day only having sixteen siblings."

Selene shot a wry smile up at him, though she did not have to crane her neck too much. Being the smallest of the Primarchs did come with certain advantages. "Doesn't quite sound so special with such a high number."

"Perhaps to you and your family's strict structure, but that is a structure created and maintained only by human tradition. I might have had nineteen siblings at the beginning, but that was it. Without Father's largesse and excluding Absalom's exceptional relationship, we had no reason to believe our family could ever expand outward." A softer note entered Alexandros' voice. "Only shrink with the ages."

The wry smile wavered and became more thoughtful. "You do me honour, lord brother."

"Please, Selene," Alexandros said as he let the melancholic mask drop. He smiled at her. Not one of his confident grins that he often wore to battle or his mischievous smirks that hinted secret knowledge at court. Just an honest and warm smile. "Away from the crowds, please just call me brother."

Selene beamed at him, and without ethereal sight, he could see a wave of quiet happiness roll through her spirit. "Of course, brother." She raised a warning finger at him in mock warning. "But then you must remember to treat me the same way."

"Of course...sister." [[Category:N]]