Leonie came over to take my other arm, pretending like I needed help, with her Blood on her opposite side. Sandwiched between the two Blood, we slowly made our way across the courtyard. More sweat dripped down my back, my heart pumping. I couldn’t feel the blood circle yet. Any second, someone would stop us. Challenge our right to be here.
But we were almost to the cars before I even felt the warning tingle. The graveled driveway itself and the waiting cars were outside of the circle. Which I supposed made sense. Visitors would arrive and then must wait to be brought through.
Though we were nearly to the door itself before the magic forced us to stop. The massive black door swung open just enough for a well-dressed middle-aged man with snowy white hair to step closer to the threshold.
Where the magic pulsed. As if the blood circle had been laid into the foundations of the outer walls itself.
“Good morning, Your Majesties,” the man said, at least recognizing we were queens. “How may I help you?”
Though that made the hairs on my nape prickle. How? Could he sense our magic? Would he know how strong Isabelle should be and see through my disguise before we even got inthe front door? Or did he simply assume everyone arriving today was part of the grand reception?
Calmly, Leonie took the lead, as we’d agreed. “Good morning. I’m so sorry we’re late, but Queen Isabelle was moving slowly this morning.” She gave me a patronizing smile, as if her patience with my tardiness was frazzled. “Have we missed the reception?”
Thanks to Talbott Agency’s incredible surveillance, we knew every minor Aima sibling of House Valois had been invited to attend the queen of Rome’s reception.
“Not at all, Your Majesties. What are your names, and I’ll check them against the rolls.”
Here was the first test.
“Leonie Delafosse of New Orleans.”
Pretending I hadn’t heard him, I waited to see if he could find Leonie’s name on the list. When he made a small check against his clipboard, I almost smiled. Almost.
Leonie raised her voice. “He needs your name and house, dear.”
“What?” I drawled out in Isabelle’s scratchy voice. “Oh. Isabelle Vasconia and my knight.”
The man scanned the list and frowned, peering at me over his glasses. “It says here that you’re deceased, Your Majesty.”
I cackled and tapped Guillaume’s chest. “Did you hear that, Barrau? We’re dead! I didn’t know.”
He harrumphed under his breath but didn’t say anything.
“There must be some mistake,” the human said. “I’m terribly sorry, Your Majesty.”
“I guess that’s what happens when you’re as old as dirt. You go on an extended stay in the Americas and suddenly you’re presumed dead.”
“She’s been staying with me.” Leonie sighed, giving the man a look of exasperation. “She promised to return home if I came along to pay my respects to Her Majesty since it’s been so long.”
“Well, I’ve made a note so we can get the rolls updated. I’m sure Her Majesty will be pleased that her loyal vassal is still with us.” He tucked the clipboard beneath his arm, opened the door wider, and then held out his hands. “Their Majesties Leonie Delafosse and Isabelle Vasconia are welcomed to House Valois for today’s reception.”
Leonie gave him an elegant nod and slipped her hand into his right, while I took his left hand. Our Blood touched our backs as we crossed the into the house.
But as I stepped across the threshold, I felt a buzzing along my skin. A quick hot flash. The human must have felt it too, because his eyes widened.
:Did I lose the disguise?:I asked Guillaume frantically.
:No,:he replied.:You still look like Isabelle.:
I fumbled at Leonie’s arm, leaning on her, making myself look even weaker and more infirm. “Oh dear. I fear I’m not feeling the best.”
She heaved another frustrated sigh. “Come along, Isabelle. I’ll find you a place to sit down. Maybe a nice cold drink.”
I shuffled along beside her, pretending to be delirious. “Yes, yes, a nice refreshing drink will set me to rights in no time. It’s not every day you get to see the queen of Rome, you know. I’m so looking forward to seeing her, even if I’m exhausted from the trip.”
Though I couldn’t resist looking back over my shoulder at the gaping human. “At least I’m not dead!”
52
