Vincent
The issue of me taking a consort was raised again at the next Tribal Council meeting, in front of all its members as well as the spectators who’d gathered for the vote. The Council had chosen Monaco as its next target, with Aretha’s vote being the tiebreaker. It was a bit of an upset, since the warborn had been so focused on Istanbul. Afterward Aretha announced, loud enough for everyone in the hall to hear, “There is another matter up for discussion.” She waited until all eyes were upon her. “The sunborn must make an alliance.”
Farther down the Council conga line, Mater spoke in a hushed voice to Apate, who was likely using her emotive powers at that very moment to sway the Council. How could I possibly win any argument when I was surrounded by liars and cheaters all around?
Was this how Mater had secured the Monaco vote? By promising me as a prize to the warborn? Was my worth as currency and nothing more? And the warborn—I thought I could trust them. I’d been their most staunch defender, and now they were attempting to trade me like property, which meant there was no one on this Council I could trust, a devastating realization, but I’d sit with my feelings later. For now, I needed the Council off my back.
“Why are you forcing this?” I asked Aretha, but really, I was addressing the larger audience. “Our attacks on the Imperium have been successful, we’re adding more territories each week, the thirteen tribes are unified at last. Why upset the balance?”
“You’re the last of your tribe, and you’re too vulnerable on your own. You need the strength of an established tribe to protect and defend you,” Aretha said.
“I’m bloodborn too.”
At this Mater said in her regal tone, “When you made the choice to fly the sunborn flag and wear their colors, you renounced your claim to the bloodborn’s protection and our ancestral lands. You cannot serve two masters. You are here as our honored guest and nothing more.”
So, that was how she wanted to play this? I swallowed my hurt feelings and put on a brave face. There was nothing quite like being publicly disowned.
“I won’t do it,” I said, making my opposition known.
“That’s why we’re putting it to a vote,” Aretha countered, then appealed to the other Council members. “All those who feel the sunborn should be suitably allied, please raise your hands.”
All around me hands raised in agreement while I sat there, incensed by this latest betrayal. I was sick of others trying to control me, using me for their own gain, thinking me weak because of my age or inexperience. I caught sight of your face, dark and stormy. At least you were angry too.
“The matter has been decided,” Aretha said.
But before she could continue with this charade, I spoke up, “Let us see the candidates then.” I’d be damned if I was going to allow them to choose for me behind closed doors. My announcement confused the Council members long enough for Eubuleus to interject.
“I’d like to be considered, your highness. The hearthborn know how to provide for their loved ones.” He emerged from the crowd to bow before me. I was shocked by his chivalry. How a man will humble himself when there are lands to be annexed and a sunborn to be plowed.
No sooner had he finished speaking than Ashur made his bid as well. “I protected your father to the best of my abilities, and I vow to protect you as well.” Ashur went down to one knee as though proposing marriage. This was all too much.
“The warborn are the most well-equipped to protect the sunborn prince,” Hyas said, stepping up from the sidelines to lay his claim. Now, I was a prince. By the end of all this, I’d be crowned a king.
“And you have the most to gain from his lands,” Eubuleus said bitterly. The arguments began then, as I suspected they would, while I searched the crowd for your sullen face. Nothing. No movement. In the meantime, three more Nephilim pledged their undying affections. What the hell were you waiting for?
“What does an alliance entail exactly?” I asked since you needed persuading.
“It’s a union blessed before the tribes,” Aretha said for the benefit of the crowd. “You share resources, domiciles, and counsel. Both parties are strengthened by this union, and your loyalty is to your partner and your respective tribes before all others.”
“And will I share my body with this person?” I glared at you fiercely.
“The union is consummated before the tribes as a testament to your commitment.”
“Public fucking,” I said with a slight shake of my head. “Should have known.”
At that you strode forward and joined the crowd of eligible bachelors without sparing a word or a glance in either direction. “Henri Cherusci of the bloodborn tribe,” you announced without any fanfare while I attempted to mask my relief.
“What makes you think you’d be a worthy suitor?” I said, pissed that you’d delayed for so long. And I wanted you to make a compelling case.
“Because even when I don’t act on it, I know what’s best for thebloodbornprince.”
“And are you what’s best for me?”
“That is for you to decide, your highness.” You bowed then, with so much reverence that Ashur growled a warning.
I threaded my way through the near-dozen candidates, all lined up to conquer the sunborn. Such a needless production. Ridiculous from its very inception. “So many good options,” I murmured. “However, will I choose?”
“You won’t,” Aretha answered with a smug smile. “If you were anyone else, your Grigori elders would choose for you, but since you are the last of your kind, the Tribal Council will decide.”
