Julie gave me a very polished and professional curtsey as if shewas well used to such formalities. “Your Majesty, it’s an honor to serve such an esteemed house in even a small capacity. I pray you find my work exemplary, for I’d be ecstatic to stay on long term.”
I offered her my hand, meaning to shake, but she kissed my knuckles and curtsied again. “Thank you for coming to help us, Julie.”
Before I continued, I looked at Gina.:Do you trust her to hear our war plans?:
Gina gave me a subtle nod.
:How about Regina?:
Gina nodded again. “All the contracts have been signed, Your Majesty. Both ladies understand the penalties for any indiscretions.”
“Excellent.” Which was probably also why Althea wasn’t coming this time. Not because we needed her so badly in the tower—but she likely hadn’t signed the consiliarius agreement yet. Or Kevin didn’t trust her enough to recommend we extend an offer. Either way, the new person wouldn’t be involved in our planning.
Honestly, I didn’t trust either Julie or Regina to hear the whole plan either. Neither carried my blood, and it was too soon to offer it to them. But they could stay for now.
Guillaume opened the door and Kevin came rushing in, his eyes bright with excitement. Though he jerked to a halt when he saw us all sitting at the table looking at him. At a more sedate pace, he moved around the table and sat down beside Regina, his cheeks pink.
“Sorry for any delay, Your Majesty,” he said.
“Not at all. Thank you for dropping everything to come so quickly. We’re waiting on one more anyway. Have you met Regina and Julie yet?”
Gina did the introductions again. Winston delivered more tea and then dishes began appearing as if by magic. Of course I was fucking starved as soon as I smelled the rich, lemonyroasted chicken over a bed of creamy risotto with asparagus and spring peas. So fucking good I was already halfway through my plate when the door opened again.
Leonie came in like a warm, sunny breeze across golden plains and shimmering waters. We had to repeat the introductions for her, and then she introduced us to a tall, broad-shouldered man beside her. “Your Majesty, this is my alpha, Jenrade. Jenrade, this is our queen, Shara Isador, daughter of Isis.”
“Your Majesty.” He bowed low, his deep voice melodic. “It’s an honor to serve.”
“My alpha, Alrik. Sir Guillaume de Payne is at the door. General Sekh of the All Seeing, Never Sleeping Legion.” Each of my Blood gave him a nod. The man was already looking a little wide eyed, so I smiled. “We’ll introduce everyone else later.”
Leonie sat down with us, her alpha at her back like Rik. Winston brought another place setting, and I gave everyone time to get their food and drink settled. Then I gave them a brief rundown of what we’d seen in Mykonos and the swamp.
“The ones trapped in the swamp were all Isador Blood?” Gina dabbed at her eyes with her napkin, shaking her head. “Oh, Shara. I’m so sorry. I know you were hoping to bring them home.”
I pushed my plate away, my appetite gone. Though I gave her a sad smile. “I did, in a way. We have some new colorful birds in the nest. At least they’re no longer suffering. Vaughn and Mallac were unfortunately entrapped almost from the beginning when my mother dissolved her Blood. They took the most… damage.” I swallowed hard, willing my stomach not to bubble up the delicious dinner. “Zharr and Lucian were more recent. Not only was Sekh able to determine they were in the group of five Isador blood sent to House Ceresa, but also they were still in her control when we were called to Rome.”
Gina sat back hard in her chair. “Excuse me?”
I nodded, watching her face harden. Her eyes snapped withfury, the same as mine. “While she demanded I take a Blood from within her house, there were five I would have gladly taken home with me. She not only didn’t even tell me they were there but then she sent two of them to Paris, where they were immediately betrayed to the Dauphine.”
Gina’s eyes widened, her gaze flickering over to Sekh and back to me. “And they’re headed to Paris now. Withher.”
“Exactly.”
“But why? To what end?”
“I can only assume to inflict as much pain on me and my house as possible.”
“Goddess,” Kevin breathed out. “That’s why Granddad called. She wanted you to know she hadn’t sent them to the Dauphine herself.”
I forced out a harsh laugh. “She knew what she was doing when she sent them to Rosalind. She certainly can’t claim innocence now when she’s taking the last three Isador Blood to Paris to hand deliver them herself.”
“But why?” Leonie shook her head. “Granted, I haven’t been involved in court politics in decades, but Rosalind isn’t Triune. Why is the only Triune queen going to her instead of demanding Valois visit her in Rome?”
“That’s how weak she is,” Gina said. “She needs Rosalind more than Rosalind needs her.”
“She needs two to have a quorum,” I said softly. “I think she intends to ask—or try and force—Rosalind to take a seat at the Triune. Then they can pass judgment on me for killing the Dauphine beforeIcan call a Triskeles quorum against either of them. Marne’s taking the only leverage she still has—mythree Isador Blood.” I gripped the edge of the table, my voice threaded with power. “I’m going to fucking take them back.”
GUILLAUME
