Rik set me down on my feet outside of the pool, and I took his arm, admiring the black on black he’d chosen to wear. I’ddressed up too, at least for me. It was Paris, after all, something young Shara would never have even dreamed about. Nevarre had chosen a simple black silk dress that flowed down my body like a dream, flowing and airy without being overly fussy.
“Ah yes,” Guillaume drawled, offering a hand to the ladies to help them out of the water. “Nothing like sewers and disease moldering in the vermin-filled streets.”
“That was the old days.” Carys tipped her face up and stretched out her arms. She even fucking twirled, giggling like a little girl. She’d dressed up too, exchanging her tweedy poop-covered men’s jacket and basic pants for an elegant royal blue dress that swirled around her legs. Winnifred squawked at the commotion, tightening her talons on Carys’ shoulder. I didn’t think the thinner material would last long. “The only thing better would be Rome. Ah, I can’t wait to visit the shops on Champs-Élysées.”
Evidently the only thing I needed to do to keep Carys in a good mood was give her libraries—or take her luxury shopping. “I do expect to see the queen of Rome on this trip.”
Dropping her arms, she gave me a sharp look. “Sounds like you’ve been busy, young lady.”
“I do have some people I’d like you to meet.”
We crossed the courtyard to a pair of tall French doors where my main team waited.
“Your Majesty, this is Harvey Renardet, who’s in charge of the staff while you’re in residence,” Gina said. “Harvey, this is our queen, Shara Isador, last daughter of Isis.”
Harvey looked to be about the same age as Winston, though a little shorter and rounder, and just as well dressed in a silvery gray suit. He bowed low and held out his hand, palm up. I slipped my fingers into his, and he first pressed my hand to his forehead and then reverently kissed my knuckles.
“Your Majesty, such a pleasure and honor. Louée soit la Déesse.” When he lifted his head, his cheeks were pink and wetfrom his tears. He beamed at me and then Winston, talking too rapidly in French for me to even attempt to follow along.
“He says they’ve prepared a welcome banquet for you, Your Majesty,” Winston said. “Everything is ready now if you’d like to dine.”
I’d planned to spend an hour or two figuring out how to use the Eleusinian Mysteries to mask my appearance before trying to rest a little, not eat. Especially what I would guess to be a formal affair. “So late? I don’t want to be any trouble.”
Harvey’s eyes flared and he gasped, shaking his head. “No trouble, no trouble, always an honor, Your Majesty. Day or night.” Then softly, he whispered, his voice breaking with longing. “Cela fait si longtemps.”
:It’s been so long,:Guillaume translated.
Nodding, I smiled. “I would love to.”
So it was that I found myself seated at the head of a long dining room table loaded with crystal, china, fresh flowers, candles, and far too many forks and spoons, telling me there would be numerous courses. Every room in the Parisian mansion had soaring ceilings trimmed with detailed molding in antique cream. The floors were a matching creamy-colored stone in a natural, raw finish that I preferred over more flashy polished marble. The furnishings were antique and luxurious but tasteful, timeless, and well made. I could almost feel Esetta sitting in this very same spot with Selena at the opposite end of the table, their Blood sitting among them on either side.
:We never sat with them,:Lew said, picking up my thoughts.:But yes, we were here several times. Though the sisters only rarely traveled anywhere together. Outside of London, they lived very separate lives.:
Which on one hand seemed strange and sad, especially since they shared the ten Blood among them.:I would love for you all to sit with me.:
:Not when you’re holding court, my queen.:
Guillaume had said the same thing in New York City, even when we were eating in the war room salon. The last time I could remember having a sit-down meal with everyone had been Christmas, just after I’d freed Leviathan from his prison. Which meant the majority of my Blood had never sat with me to eat. A far cry from the pizza party in my bed in Kansas City.
I reached up and touched Rik’s hand on my shoulder.:I’d like to plan more meals at home where all of you eat with me more often.:
:Your safety is paramount, my queen. But if it’s your wish, we will make it so.:
:It is. I’ll discuss with Winston once we’re home.:
Gina and Frank sat at my right hand with Leonie on my left. Julie, Kevin, and Regina sat beside her with Carys across from them. Winston and Magnum refused to join us at the table but moved seamlessly around the room with Harvey’s staff, keeping the drinks and food flowing. Knowing my nerves about formal dining, Winston subtly explained each course and the appropriate cutlery to use, while Harvey described the components of each dish.
Since it was just us—my family—the pressure eased, allowing me to enjoy trying many new Michelin-star-quality dishes. Though I discovered I wasn’t a fan of foie gras.
By the time the dessert course came to the table, everyone was in high spirits, pleasantly full of delicious food and wine, and relaxed. Regina entertained us with a story her mother had told her about Gran in Scotland.
“I always thought when she said, ‘going to meet the queen,’ that she meant Queen Elizabeth,” Regina admitted with a sheepish grin. “All this time, I pictured the British queen with her matching hat and coat, walking through Balmoral Castle with her corgis. Not…” She waved her hand. “This. Now I get it.” She flashed a bright smile at me. “Thank you so much, Your Majesty, for letting me stay.”
I smiled back. “I offer my thanks to Gran for guiding you safely to us.”
“I grew up in the queen of Rome’s household,” Kevin said. “I had no idea what real life outside of a nest was like until I came to America for college. I can’t imagine wanting anything else.”
“Well, that’s good, because I can’t do what I do for our queen without you,” Gina said tartly, though her eyes shimmered in the candlelight.
