“Lord Cassius—” Lord Adrian growled, but Cassius ignored him, stepping in front of Thalia.
To her horror, he held out a scarred hand. “Princess?” Thalia stared at it, very much wishing that damned servant hadn’t made her laces so tight. “Shall we?” Cassius’s face was hard, but his eyes were open, the blue scanning her. It almost seemed like he was pleading with her to take his hand. To get them out of whatever news Lord Adrian wished to discuss.
Thalia offered a cruel smile, and Cassius immediately stiffened. “I would like to hear about this urgent matter.”
“This matter does not concern you,Princess,” Cassius bit out, a hint of fangs showing, eyes now hardened into chips of glass.
Thalia smirked, staring up at him. “If this is something that’s so important that the prince’shandmust be informed, then it surely must be important enough for his wife to hear as well.”
While Lord Adrian seemed inclined to rip her throat out, she weathered the contempt in his gaze as she said, “I would assume that women can partake in matters of state, given Camilla’s own role as adviser to the prince.” Thalia glanced over her shoulder to where Camilla had disappeared into the great hall with Lord Damien and Keegan. She turned around. “Given my new position, I would like to know. I aim to do the best I can as your princess. This shall be my home now, and I hope that I can acclimate quickly to this court so I might better aid any matters that the Houses bring to the prince’s attention.”
“Unfortunately, Princess, as a human, you do not have any position with this court and matters of state besides one of formality,” Cassius cut in.
Thalia’s rage spiked as he stared down at her, some sick, twisted sort of delight flashing in his eyes as he watched her seethe.
“Is this something that the prince has decreed?” she bit out.
“Something that the prince’s council voted on before your arrival.”
Lord Adrian snickered, causing Thalia’s rage to spike further. If only she had her stake so could embed it in his skull.
“And was the prince part of this vote?” Thalia countered. A muscle in Cassius’s jaw flickered, but he said nothing. She picked at the skin around her thumbs, gritting out, “There is to be a House council meeting soon. When is it?”
Cassius met her burning stare. “A fortnight.”
No doubt when the prince finally returned to the castle after concluding whatever business he had up north.
“And I take it that even though I am not on the prince’s council as a member of House Lorenzia, I can bring forth matters to the Houses? Is that not the law? That members of the Houses can bring forth matters for other Houses to vote on?”
Finally, he gritted out, “Yes.”
Thalia would have crowed in triumph if it weren’t for the deadly glares of the Vampyrs boring into her. “Then this is something that I shall bring up in the next House meeting. That despite the fact that I am human, as His Highness’swifeI should be allowed to speak and be a part of all matters in this realm.”
Then Thalia swept past Cassius and headed straight into the great hall and the gathering crowd of monsters.
“You really pissed him off.” Camilla’s light voice appeared behind her.
Thalia turned from where she’d been watching the court of Vampyrs. Musicians played a haunting tune that wove itself into the dark ceiling. But no one danced. Or even ate. They all stood around in clumps, speaking too quietly for her to hear and holding silver goblets she knew contained blood, if the sharp metallic scent in the air said anything.
“I don’t care,” Thalia said. She knew Camilla was speaking about Cassius, but her head had begun to feel a bit light, which felt more urgent. Whether it was from the lack of food and water provided or from the corset, which threatened to squeeze the breath out of her, she couldn’t say. Perhaps all of the above.
“You should care, Princess,” Camilla said, coming into her line of sight. “He is hand to the prince. He holds sway and power. His Highness listens to him far more than even his council.”
“Who is on the prince’s council?” Thalia cut in. His position still grated on her nerves. Lying, traitorous prick.
Camilla’s pretty face flashed in surprise before she said, “Cassius. Me, obviously. Lord Damien, and Lord Keegan.”
“Lord Keegan?”
Camilla nodded to where Keegan stood speaking with some members of House Santorien. Surprise drifted through her. She hadn’t realized three of the prince’s council had traveled into the human realm to broker a deal. Thalia wouldn’t have pegged Keegan as someone who’d be on the prince’s council, given his quiet nature. But perhaps that was why. His personality offered a contrast to Camilla’s loud nature and Cassius’s sharp one.
“Why did Lord Damien lie for me?” Thalia whispered. Camilla was no doubt privy to what she’d been doing before the treaty, given her position on the prince’s council.
“You may not be a Vampyr, but you’re still part of House Lorenzia,” Camilla said, equally quiet. “Despite whatever you did, you’re part of something greater now. Lord Damien wouldn’t jeopardize the treaty out of spite.”
“But what of Lord Adrian?” Thalia asked, her eyes glued on the Vampyrs who stood near the banner depicting a stag with eight legs. House Gallinus, if her deductions were correct.
Camilla made a face. “Lord Adrian and his son are pissed that they got booted off the prince’s council.”
