Vanya sipped his wine, the glass slippery in his fingers from condensation. He tightened his grip. “Soren is beyond late.”
“Perhaps he heard word of the attack and is reaching out to his fellow wardens.” Taisiya kept her voice low, pitching it to a level only Vanya could hear as they left one tent behind for another farther down the garden path. They passed an acrobat standing on a pillar, performing feats of the body that had drawn enthralled admirers.
The rich hues of sunset colored the sky in the west while gas lamps glowed above everyone’s head. Strategically placed mechanical fans helped keep everyone cool. Servants bustled down pathways and through tents, ferrying cool drinks and finger foods on silver trays to the mingling guests. A small orchestra played an upbeat tune, their music drifting through amplifier speakers discreetly positioned throughout the gardens.
Vanya was acutely aware of Amir’s absence amidst the gathering, used to having the older man’s counsel and now left to forever second-guess it. While Malia swore she’d seen his unscarred chest weeks ago when he was in Karnak, that didn’t excuse the scars he now carried, nor the meticulous changes to his mind that magicians were able to confirm.
Amir’s status as arionetkanow undercut whatever support from other Houses Vanya could hope to claw away from Joelle, even with the Dawn Star’s blessing. He’d been waiting for Joelle to arrive, but so far, the House of Kimathi’svezirhad not deigned to grace them with her presence. He’d been told her heir had, though of course, Artyom was keeping his distance.
“Vanya.”
He pushed his thoughts aside, focusing on hisvalide. “Have we swayed a majority of Houses?”
“The Conclave will close with our House claiming enough support to continue to rule despite Joelle’s accusation.” Taisiya paused, lips twitching with a faintly humorous look in her eyes. “Or until we are all murdered.”
“A challenge, to be sure.”
“I would hope so.” She brushed her hand against his arm, curling her fingers around his elbow. “Now, I do believe the House of Balaskas is awaiting us.”
Vanya let Taisiya steer him toward the parterre and the long, rectangular fountain that stretched from the palace steps to the distant statue of the Dawn Star. Desert plants bloomed in intricate designs around the fountain amidst stone benches and elaborate cushions scattered on the flagstone beneath colorful tents.
Cybele greeted them with a smile inside one of those tents, secure in her vaunted position of having rallied enough minor Houses and not a few major ones to Vanya’s side. She’d given him loyalty even before Callisto descended on the Senate, and he’d trust her more than the others, just not with his life. He’d trusted Amir with that, when he’d sent Soren and Raiah to the House of Vikandir’svasilyet, and look where it got him.
“House of Sa’Liandel,” Cybele said as she curtsied rather than bowed. A wise choice, considering the height of her headdress with its delicate jeweled adornments and tiny golden bells that chimed every time she moved.
“House of Balaskas,” Vanya returned in kind.
Cybele’s gaze flicked to Taisiya before settling on him. “My understanding is the last gathering of the Conclave goes to the victor.”
“I’ve yet to lay eyes on the House of Kimathi. A poor showing before our guiding star’s choice.”
“One can’t expect well-wishes from a House that is better than yours,” a cool voice said from one of the many cushions scattered in the shade.
Vanya’s gaze cut to the side, finding Vesper of the House of Aetos lounging amidst ladies and young men near her age, if not her status. She lingered amongst Houses who favored him and not Joelle, and he knew she didn’t stay out of an abundance of manners. She always seemed to be Joelle’s eyes and ears in these situations. Vanya had long since slotted her House into the group of ones he could gain no loyalty from.
Vesper rose gracefully to her feet, the gown she wore carrying the colors of her House with shades that wouldn’t be out of place on Joelle’s clothing. The support was subtly applied, but it was unmistakable. She offered no bow or curtsey in greeting, holding her chin high instead to look him in the eye.
Vanya still greeted her with a smile. “When the House of Kimathi is blessed by the Dawn Star herself, then perhaps I’ll look upon them differently. As that House’s illustriousveziris not present, I’ll take her absence as the forfeit of the Conclave that it is.”
“Your House is not fit to rule. Yours has torn Solaria apart enough over the years. I stand by my vote and allegiance with the House of Kimathi,” Vesper said.
“Solaria remains whole because of what my House has accomplished.”
Vesper’s lips curled into a vicious smile. “Yes. The destruction of a city and eradication of a House. Such a legacy for your daughter to carry. But you stand here alone with yourvalide, and I know I am not the only one who thinks you weak for that.”
He tamped down his temper, feeling Taisiya’s fingers dig harder into the bend of his elbow in a silent warning. “I stand with the Houses who believe in Solaria’s future.”
Vesper’s gaze raked up and down his body, one brow rising in disdain. “Some future.”
“A future most of the Houses have put their support behind.”
“Misapplied faith” was Vesper’s serene answer. “I’ll give mine elsewhere.”
“Joelle is not what Solaria needs.”
“I find what Solaria needs isn’t something you can offer,” Artyom said from behind him.
Vanya made a show of glancing over his shoulder. “The Dawn Star thinks otherwise.”
