Camilla shrugged. “You may be a human, but you are the princess. Whether the other courts like it or not, you are now part of House Lorenzia.”
Thalia chewed the inside of her cheek, debating. On one hand, it would be a prime time to learn more about the Houses. On the other hand … Cassius would be there.
She hadn’t spoken to him since he’d pinned her against the door. Annoyance pulsed in her stomach in time with the throbbing in her neck from the bruise that marred her throat.
“Well?” Camilla asked, breaking through her thoughts.
Thalia nodded as the servant stepped back. “Yes, I would like to attend.”
Camilla gave a half smile. “I should warn you … these council meetings can get rather intense.”
“So can humans’.”
Camilla raised a well-groomed brow, smoothing her hands over her purple satin gown. “Are you on the human council?”
Thalia nodded. “Yes, but my mother likes to keep her circle small. She only has a few advisers, and she relies on one more than the others.” Thalia’s mind flashed to Kamith. She resisted making a face as she continued, “But even if she had more, I’m not sure if she’d listen to them.”
“Why is that?”
Thalia fiddled with the brocade of her own dress, the gown dripping in gold applique over black satin. “I don’t know. She hasn’t had it easy being queen. Too many men have already tried to usurp her. Better to keep her circle close.” She shut her mouth. Talking to Camilla had started slipping dangerously close to being … friendly. And she couldn’t allow that.
Camilla pursed her lips, not seeming to notice Thalia’s sudden silence. The shifter shrugged. “Well, prepare for a lot of usurping today, because despite what you’ve seen with a human council, there is something far more dangerous about a Vampyrs’.”
Thalia expected to be whisked away to the council room, the only room she hadn’t acquainted herself with, but instead they gathered in the great hall. A circle of chairs had been placed in the middle of the room, and the back walls were lined with silver goblets of blood and glittering fruit.
Thalia braced herself to face Cassius, but to her surprise, the prick wasn’t there. In fact, the only Vampyrs on the prince’s council who were present were Camilla and Lord Damien.
“Princess.” Lord Damien inclined his head. Thalia resisted the urge to shiver at his red eyes. “Welcome.”
“Where’s Cassius?” Thalia said, and immediately regretted it when Camilla raised a brow.
“The prince has him dealing with another matter,” the lord said smoothly.
She made a face at that, but she remained quiet as she took a spot in the circle of chairs next to Camilla. More Vampyrs trickled in, and Thalia braced herself when Lord Adrian appeared. As soon as the lord saw her, his lip curled, sharp fangs exposed.
Thalia didn’t allow herself to cower.
“Welcome,” Lord Damien said as the Vampyrs took their seats. “We appreciate you all for coming. House Avanerius has called this meeting to discuss the current seat which is up.”
Thalia felt the stares of the Vampyrs searing her face. She ignored them.
“Well?” Lord Adrian said, his annoyance already evident. “Let’s hurry this along so we can end this meeting.”
“You seem to have more pressing things to attend to,” Camilla said dryly.
Lord Adrian’s lip curled again. It was surprising that his face hadn’t frozen like that. “You know I do.”
Interesting.
Lord Damien cleared his throat, drawing the attention of the room. “My father was voted by the rest of House Avanerius to take up the role of lord.”
Thalia glanced up at the Vampyr who stepped forward. He looked nearly the same as his son, although a touch of age graced his smooth face. He must have traveled from his capital city, Sanire, if Thalia’s faded memory of what she’d been taught as a child served her. She didn’t recognize him from when she had first been introduced to the courts.
“Congratulations, Lord Calphis,” Camilla said. “I know that the prince would approve of this choice. Your experience in politics will strengthen House Avanerius, I have no doubt.”
The new lord bowed his head, red eyes flashing to Thalia before he took his seat once more.
“Are we done here?” Lord Adrian stood. “I have business to attend to.”
