Eudora nods. “The people in the west villages have no problem eating meat days after butchering. We will happily make full use of it.”
I spread my hands. “It seems like a perfect compromise, if Her Highness agrees?” I paint an innocent smile on my face and turn to Nevina, who is as pink as her dress and as flustered as a bird caught in a snare.
“Yes, I suppose that will be adequate,” she mumbles. “I’ll expect a full breakdown of costs and materials needed. We’ll require labor from your territories to arrange everything. New Stygarde cannot manage any manpower.”
“Of course,” Eudora says. “We’ll handle everything.”
“Aendor can provide musicians,” Tempest says. “We have the finest in Tenebris.”
Odette laughs. “I’ll let that one go. The Borderlands will provide the place settings as we have in the past.” She looks to me. “Our blacksmiths produce the finest cutlery and our potters the most delicate but enduring dishes and glassware.”
“I can’t wait to see it in person,” I say.
The queen stands, lifts her chin, and stares down her nose at all of us. “Very well,” she says through her teeth. “We will meet next week to finalize the details.”
“But we need your approval to use the courtyard today. The festival is in four weeks. Invitations must go out soon.”
Nevina’s lips draw back from her teeth in a smile edged with a cruelty that reminds me far too much of Valeska’s. She’s going to refuse them. She’s going to make it as difficult as possible for this event to successfully take place.
“If we’re sending invitations,” I say quickly, “we should definitely incorporate the queen and the royal crest into them. People must be aware that this festival is completely the result of the generosity of our new queen.”
“Oh yes,” Odette says, fawning over Nevina. “Our beloved queen.”
“Most certainly!” adds Eudora.
“I can have the design ready for your approval tomorrow!” Tempest says.
The fire is back in Nevina’s cheeks, but her eyes are cold as ice as she says, “I will review the design tomorrow, and if it appropriately represents New Stygarde, you may use the courtyard.”
The women around me breathe a sigh of relief. “Thank you, my queen. I will get started right away.” Tempest stands and gathers her things. The others beat feet out the door. I’m about to follow after them when the queen grabs my arm, her nails digging in. “I thought we were friends, Eloise,” she mutters under her breath.
Ice flows through my veins as I move my gaze from hers to the place her grip pierces my flesh. “Are you saying we aren’t friends anymore, Nevina?” I ask innocently.
“I don’t appreciate being manipulated.”
“Oh, I don’t think anyone could manipulate you. You’re too formidable for that.”
Her teeth grit. She releases my arm. Our eyes catch and hold, and hers are so cold they give me a chill. I curtsy, then turn slowly and leave the room.
I’m halfway down the hall when Tempest pops out of an alcove and cuts me off with a raise of her hand. I take a quick look over my shoulder to make sure the queen isn’t behind me. “It’s true. It’s really true,” she whispers.
“What’s true?”
“Damien has returned. You are his mate!”
Nevina only introduced me as her friend Eloise. There was no mention of Damien in our meeting. “How did you know?”
“I can smell him on you, dear. And the way you stood up to the queen? I can understand why he chose you.”
“Then, yes, he has returned, and I am his mate. As for standing up to the queen, I wouldn’t say that’s what happened. I simply helped her understand the importance of the festival.”
“Right.” Tempest tucks her chin and sends me a pronounced wink. She raises a hand. “Festival aside, I wonder, can you tell me if my son returned with Damien?”
I shake my head. “I’m sorry? Who is your son?”
Her eyes widen like she’s shocked I don’t know. “Morpheus Maxilla. He went missing at the same time as Damien. I…I thought, perhaps.” She clutches her chest, her eyes growing misty.
“He’s alive,” I say quickly. “On my planet.”
