It was fascinating to see Antheia’s thoughts and feelings filtered through the language of the lady’s maid. Does politeness lend itself to deeper brutality?

Not necessarily, but I feel like it can lead to deeper cruelty, which is not always the same thing. An animal can be brutal; there’s no moral judgment to the concept. It takes a thinking creature to be cruel.

Is empire ever a good thing?

I am not an ethicist. I honestly do not know.

Is diplomacy in the apology, or in doing whatever you want, knowing that the apology is “what is done” after?

I . . . I don’t know what this question is supposed to mean. I like bunnies.

What did you want readers to take away from this story?

That the alien plant invasion is inevitable, and when the pods fall from the sky, they will all be consumed in blood and sap. It will be a glorious day. Sticky, but glorious.

What are you working on now?

Currently, editing a book that hasn’t been announced yet, so I can’t talk about it, and writing a short story for an upcoming anthology set in an existing media universe. It’s fun!