“Have I ever failed you in anything you asked of me?” Aeshma asked in wounded tones.
“No, because I’ve kept my eyes on you all the time,” said the conceited thief. “You behave yourself because you know I’m watching you closely. If I gave you the leeway you’re asking for, you could do things behind my back, make secret deals with your own servants to counter my orders. I can’t give you that much freedom. My life is at stake.”
Aeshma struggled hard not to laugh at the thought that this puny human could keep close surveillance on him if he wanted to be away. The daeva king had moved slowly to this point, letting his powers return to him at their natural pace. But while it was true he must obey Hakem Rafi’s orders, there were many ways to manipulate this little man into doing what Aeshma wan
