Luthor Astin-Shin-Mataro

Lord Luthor Astin-Shin-Mataro is the husband of Count Balian Mataro and the Minister of Finance of Emesh. He is rapier-thin with the bronze complexion, high cheekbones, blue-black hair, and small mouth of an interstellar Mandari plutocrat, with forest-green almond-shaped eyes that Hadrian suspects carry after-market modifications beyond the normal human visual spectrum.

At the war council following Uvanari's death, Luthor sits beside his husband on a smaller seat. He is narrow-eyed throughout, his eyes narrowing further as he contemplates Hadrian and the inquisitor. He casts doubt on Hadrian's account of Uvanari's final words by noting that the surveillance was down for most of the conversation and adding a tone that suggests he does not believe the official explanation of storm damage. He sneers at Hadrian's proposal to lead the mission, noting 'You have no experience,' and blames him for losing the prisoner. When Knight-Tribune Smythe presses whether the Mataro marriage contract with Anaïs is finalized, Luthor provides the definitive answer that ends Hadrian's last obligation to the house: 'The girl has not had her Ephebeia yet.'