Mother,
I hope things are running smoothly in Agripa now that the ore has been provided to our people. I’ve acclimated myself nicely into House Lorenzia. The castle is far more opulent than I was anticipating, as are the courts—
Thalia paused, making a mental note to try to figure out more of the castle layout in the morning.
—although I’ve yet to meet my new husband, as he was called away to the north to deal with a bad storm that hit. I truly am surprised at his willingness and the kindhearted soul my new husband appears to have—
Thalia made a face. Was she saying too much? Would the Vampyrs even send the letter if she mentioned that the prince was away from his court? Should she try risking it anyway?
She crumpled the paper up, staining her fingers with wet ink, before she went back at it again.
Thalia hadn’t realized how long she’d labored over writing the letter until the clock above the fireplace chimed the eleventh hour.
She glanced up, her eyes blurry from staring at the words on the page. They’d begun to jumble together, like a mixed bag of nuts. Thalia sighed, leaning back in her chair, and closed her eyes. She pinched the bridge of her nose, willing her sudden headache away.
The creaking of her bedchamber door had Thalia lifting her tired head. She didn’t have to turn to know who had just entered.
“Can I help you?” Thalia’s voice dripped with ire.
Cassius eased in, shutting the door behind him. They hadn’t spoken since their outing, which had been hours ago, although it might as well have been days.
“With His Highness still gone, I am still meant to act as proxy.” Cassius finally broke the silence.
Thalia’s lip curled, but she knew it would be useless to fight him. Perhaps at the House meeting, she could call a vote to bypass the proxy laws, if only so she could get away from him and finally sleep in peace.
He glanced at her position at the writing desk, then to the ink dotting the surface like raindrops. “What are you doing?”
Thalia’s jaw ached. “Writing a letter to my mother.”
“And it’s taken you all night?” He gave a pointed look at the still-full tray left by a servant for her dinner, then at the scattered, crumpled-up pieces of paper.
A retort formed on the tip of Thalia’s tongue, but she shoved it aside. “I don’t—I mean, I’ve never written my mother a letter before.”
“I see.”
Thalia glanced at him. He still stood by the door, the top of his doublet unbuttoned to expose the strong column of his throat. She looked away.
“Do you need help?” Cassius asked.
Thalia stiffened, her cheeks heating with embarrassment, but she forced herself to nod.Be nice.
Cassius came up beside her, his presence nearly engulfing her as he picked up her current letter.
She picked at her thumbs as he scanned the contents before reading them out loud. “ ‘Mother, I hope things are well in Agripa. House Lorenzia has welcomed me with open arms, although I have yet to be introduced to my husband, as he is dealing with matters outside his court—’ ”
Cassius paused, and Thalia felt her chest hitch. But then he continued, “ ‘The courts are all just as glittering and opulent as one would expect. The capital here is also just as beautiful, although I do feel as though I must do more to win the people of Irenbis over—to show them that as their new princess, despite the fact that I am human, I wish the best for both our realms. I cannot blame them for their wariness, though, nor can I blame the courts for their hesitancy in sharing their world with me. I hope to continue to earn the trust of House Lorenzia so I might better aid in the issues that this realm faces. Please give my regards to those in the castle. I hope to continue to make Agripa proud. Yours, Thalia.’ ”
Finally, he handed it back to her. “Why are you worried? It seems fine to me.”
Thalia huffed out a laugh. “Because I don’t knowhowshe’s going to receive it.”
“She’s your mother; she’ll be glad to know you’re safe.”
Or livid that her daughter hadn’t yet taken out the Vampyr courts. But at least Cassius hadn’t seemed wary of any of the information she was sending. A small mercy.
Thalia chewed the inside of her cheek as Cassius moved to the bathing chamber. The sound of water running drew her in; she knew he’d turned on the sink, no doubt getting ready for bed.
Honestly, the whole proxy thing was ridiculous. Especially considering that half the prince’s court wasn’t even present. Thalia made a mental note to ask Camilla about that in the morning.
