Empress of Forever

by Max Gladstone

A long time ago, out of some misguided urge to understand why other people seemed to have so much trouble enjoying themselves, she’d tried to compile a list of problems normal folks had that she didn’t. She’d started the list with honor, and, ten pages later, gave up after mortality and loans.

“The imposter,” Zanj shouted over her shoulder, over the wind, over the sound of blaster fire, “threw my friends in jail because they stood up to her! Does that sound like something I’d do?” “Yes,” Viv admitted. “Definitely,” Gray said. Hong nodded. “If you were in a bad mood,” Xiara said. “Or a good one. Or just a mood, generally.” “I hate you all.”