“What?” Saxon stammers like he doesn’t understand what she’s saying.
“A surprise party. That was the idea. A celebration of your blood rose binding,” she says slowly like she’s explaining to someone who is learning impaired. She looks at her husband. “Did we damage him when we yelled ‘surprise?’ Do you think he needs medical help?”
Lila clears her throat and steps forward, curtsying to the queen like she had been instructed. It’s low and fluid, as if she’s been doing it all her life. “Your Majesty, a surprise party was a lovely thought, and both Saxon and I appreciate it. I apologize for our overenthusiastic warlock.” She turns and glares in my direction, and I wince. “I think he thought we were about to be attacked. Saxon may also be a little surprised and confused because we were told we were coming here for a tribunal, and that the clan dissolution was being challenged.”
The queen’s eyes glimmer with understanding, and she nods before waving a hand and huffing. “Utterly ridiculous and a waste of our time. We denied their claim before it could even be lodged. Both girls were instructed to find new clans or go alone like some of our people choose to do.”
“But why all the secrecy? I haven’t been able to reach any of you for weeks. I thought you were all dodging my calls,” Saxon asks, looking at his family. His brother is still nowhere to be seen. I scan the crowd, looking for him, and spy him skulking in the back. I recognize the people he is with—Hale and Velorina, as well as his own clan members, Kavita and Dante. Velorina and Kavita are all snuggled together, looking loved up, with the men hanging out behind them. My eyes meet Xenos’s, and I glare at him. I know why he’s avoiding his brother now, but I think he is going to be disappointed that Saxon has no fucks to give abouthim snapping up his former clan members. Magenta is going to be sad, though, and Lila is going to be pissed. It’s probably good that he’s on the other side of the throne room.
Aleister chuckles and nods. “We were. You know how bad everyone is at keeping secrets. Sabine threatened anyone who spilled the beans about the surprise with new recruit training for the first semester at the military college. You know how painful that is. None of us were willing to break it, so it was easier to avoid your calls.”
“So no tribunal?” Saxon asks, looking around.
“No, silly, just a fun party for you and your blood rose.” Mehira waves her hand around the room. “We have so much fun planned.” The twins are younger versions of their mother. Actually, because they stop aging once they reach their majority, the three of them could pass as triplets if not for the wealth of experience in Sabine’s eyes.
“If Prince Xavier could maybe fix the damage he caused, then we can get the fun started,” Musette says dryly. I wince and wave a hand. The damaged chandelier reforms and casts a bright glow across the room once more. We can see decorations and tables set for dining, as well as a great big “Just Married” sign spread across the room.
I bow to the queen with a flourish. “My apologies, Your Majesty. I was just trying to protect my loved ones.” Link follows suit, while Saxon gives his aunt a kiss on each cheek before hugging his uncle.
Sabine narrows her eyes, looking at me thoughtfully before turning her gaze to my wife. “Yes, I can understand that, but from what I hear, your wife is perfectly capable of taking care of herself. Come, Lila, let us take a seat. Our guests are dying to meet you. My nephew can introduce you as they take turns making excuses to visit the head table.”
“It would be my pleasure, Your Majesty.” Lila inclines her head gracefully, and Sabine tucks her hand into Lila’s elbow and shakes her head.
“None of that ‘Your Majesty’ nonsense. You may call me Auntie Sabby. That goes for both of you as well,” she instructs Link and me. She leads Lila ahead of us. Link and I offer Musette and Mehira our arms to escort them, as Aleister and Saxon follow closely behind.
“Good job on the chandelier. Pity it wasn’t permanent,” Musette whispers in my ear. “We hate that thing, but Mom thinks it’s elegant.”
I look up and wrinkle my nose at the gaudy monstrosity. “I can arrange for it to have another accident if you want,” I offer, and she squeezes my arm.
“You were always my favorite friend of Saxon’s.”
We both know she means lover. We never hid our relationship from either of our families, and we spent a number of delightful breaks from the circus holidaying here or on Westalin. Our families are great friends in private. In public, we pretend to be more distant so other nations don’t worry we will gang up on them and take over the galaxy, although my parents, Sabine, and Aleister often joke about it when they have a few too many drinks.
My gaze catches on Xenos again, who is staying back. “What is going on with that asshole?”
She follows my gaze and purses her lips in disapproval. “Just his usual duplicitous behavior, trying to one-up his brother.” She huffs. “I don’t know what his problem is, but the minute Hale and Velorina returned, the three of them wooed them like you have never seen anyone being wooed before. They are joining his clan. Last I heard, they were courting Radella and Estrella as well.”
“They aren’t!” I gasp, unable to hide my shock. “That will hurt Saxon more than anything else he has done in the past. They actively tried to hurt Lila when they released him from sedation. They hoped he would kill her.”
She nods. “Yes, he doesn’t realize it, but he has gone too far. He has lost Mother’s good graces. First, by refusing to join the circus when she requested him to, and now this. She had to threaten him to get him to cover for Saxon when he was incapacitated. She said she would remove his titles and estate.”
“Seriously?” I can’t believe what I’m hearing. They have never been super close, but Saxon always hoped Xenos would lose his jealousy as he got older and more mature. I guess that still hasn’t happened. When Lila hears of what he has done, he will be shit out of luck, even if he changes his ways. Lila, like me, is a champion grudge holder. Xenos will never wiggle his way back into her good graces, and I bet the minute he hears that Lila is now in charge of the circus, he will try to suck up to her. It’s a super important position in the galaxy, and while not royal, the reach of her title is quite significant—not to mention she is the granddaughter of the goddess of life and the future goddess of death, supreme leader of the Vilaxians.
I smirk at the thought, and Musette squeezes my arm. “What do you know?” she asks.
“Ah, my dear Musette. Watching Xenos scramble to get back in his brother’s good graces is going to be amusing. That is all I am willing to say,” I tell her as we take a seat at the head table, and I lean back to enjoy the festivities.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
Link
The tension drains out of my body now that I know the tribunal isn’t happening. I have met the royal family in the past, so sitting at the head table with them is no hardship. Mehira is pleasant company, and she gives me a running commentary after dinner as all of Saxon’s family clan members pass the table, trying to win favor with the queen, Saxon, and Lila.
“Most of them aren’t bad, they are just terrible bootlickers. They are only council to the queen because her brother and his wife were. That’s Saxon’s parents’ clan. Mother couldn’t bear to replace them after their deaths, so she continues to put up with them. They have been slightly helpful over the years, but mostly they are pompous, self-righteous assholes. Mother has been contemplating electing a new council, and they heard about it, hence the fawning.” She waves a contemptuous hand in their direction, taking a sip of her blood wine. “The only one that is half bearable is her.” She points to a beautiful woman with pinstraight, long black hair down to her ass. She is standing slightly apart, watching the proceedings with a blank face.
“That’s Saxon’s clan sister, Vanity. Horrible name, but like I said, her mother is an idiot. She prefers to go by Van. She is a little bit of a lone wolf. Many have petitioned to have her in their clan, but she prefers to remain by herself and make use of the feeders and donor bags.”
“Do you know why?” I ask, feeling intrigued.
