There had to be some other recourse, something that could be done to get someone else to do it for her. While Santorien seemed to be the peacekeeping House, they weren’t jumping at the chance to help House Gallinus with their financial issues. Lord Amadeus seemed the easiest Vampyr to get on her side, or at least, he seemed more inclined to listen to her. Perhaps she could plant some seeds in his head, turn him against House Gallinus. Maybe she could figure out how to wield him and his House like puppets, like Lord Damien had done with that Vampyr.
Thalia shuddered, glancing down at the ring on her finger. She hadn’t forgotten what had happened in the throne room. How Lord Damien had seemed to compel that Vampyr to ruin his hand.
There was more to it than just the prince’s absence. Something to do with madness and sickness and whatever “bitten” thing Keegan had asked before Cassius escorted her out of the throne room.
The Vampyrs seemed desperate for something—angry. And anger often led to fear. Fear could be more lethal than any bite. If she could just figure out all these damn secrets they were keeping—
Movement in the woods caught her attention.
Thalia straightened, shuffling closer to the paned window. A flash of white hide flickered among the crimson leaves, nearly glowing against the moon hanging low overhead.
A shiver traveled down her spine as whatever was in the forest moved again, rustling the branches as it went.
The door creaking open had her whirling, hand going to her thigh where she kept her dagger strapped under her nightdress.
Cassius looked surprised to find her awake.
“What do you want?” Thalia’s voice was cold.
Cassius eased in, shutting the door behind him. He leaned against the wood, hands clasped behind his back. They hadn’t spoken since the throne room. Since he’d so gently taken her arm and led her from whatever mess she’d stumbled upon.
“I came to see if you were all right.” Cassius finally broke the silence.
Thalia’s lip curled. “All right? Do I seemall rightto you?”
“I don’t want to fight you, Thalia.” Cassius sighed, the sound tightening her stomach further. “Something happened today. I want to know what it was. Believe it or not, I’m not trying to be your enemy.”
Enemy.
Thalia felt the retort on her tongue. The fact that he already was, based on his choices.
Maybe it was the shadows gathering in the corners, or the fact that the memories of that night thirteen years ago haunted her as much as his face did, that had her saying, “It was House Gallinus.”
Cassius’s brows knotted in understanding. “How did you figure it out?”
Thalia shook her head, pushing past the tightness in her throat. “It doesn’t matter.” She slowly lifted her gaze.
Cassius studied her, not in a lust-filled manner but as if he was searching for something amiss. Almost like he was concerned for her. The thought sent her stomach twisting further.
“Thirteen years ago,” Cassius said, “The prince’s father ruled—King Valeran. When the cracks first appeared in the Mages’ spell, the Houses thought that if they couldn’t find an answer in Agripa’s library, perhaps a union between the Vampyrs and humans could be used.”
“In what manner?” Thalia bit out.
“I don’t know. Perhaps to expand the forest so there would be a greater area for us to live without the fear of the light. But the forest would cut into Agripa’s own land. The prince was opposed to this idea. The humans and Vampyrs had always interacted tentatively. There was already tension rising between the two realms. So, since the prince wouldn’t offer his own hand, House Gallinus stepped in.”
Thalia fisted her hands, trying to ignore the image of Lord Adrian’s hateful face mocking hers.
“It wasn’t Lord Adrian’s idea,” Cassius continued, “although the Vampyr is brash enough to do it. It was his father’s.”
Thalia sucked in a sharp breath, rage blanketing her mind like a cloud.
“His father hated humans, thought them to be a mistake the Mages created. He believed humans to be less than the Vampyrs andwere taking up land that rightfully should be Vaccarium’s. He concocted a plan to try and kill the Cesarian line. To force your territory under the Vampyrs’ rule.”
“He nearly succeeded,” Thalia got out.
Deep regret speared itself across Cassius’s handsome features. “When they returned after the failed mission, Lord Adrian’s father was executed, staked right in front of his own family. The prince offered Lord Adrian a deal: He, and his son Julian, could either quell the grumblings of House Gallinus, or he would meet the same fate as his father.”
“I see.”
