Ididn’t really think this through.
Even with my face pressed into Sekh’s T-shirt, I could feel Leonie’s eyes on me. Not unpleasant. Not upsetting. Just…
:I’m sorry, my queen,:she quickly said in her bond, averting her gaze.:Forgive me.:
:There’s nothing to forgive,:I told her gently.:You have every right to be a little…:I hesitated, trying to find the right word without offending her.
:Needy? Desperate? Scared? I don’t want to let you out of my sight.:
Somehow I’d pictured rescuing her from the pit and then immediately heading off to do the same thing for Basilia—without once accounting for the aftercare that came with rescue after a long period of torture and captivity. I couldn’t just leave Leonie here alone without any Blood or anyone to help her re-establish her house after invaders had touched her things, slept in her bed, possibly even worn her clothes.
Let alone siphoned her energy and blood. For decades, if not longer.
This was her home, but also the place of her captivity. Shemay never feel safe here again. She certainly shouldn’t be left alone with no one to help her.
“Do you have a consiliarius?”
“The Dauphine killed Onésime,” Leonie replied. “I don’t know if she replaced him.”
My eyes flared. “Damn. I never thought of who Jeanne’s human servants might be. They could cause as many issues for us as her former Blood.”
Though I had no doubt my most excellent consiliari had already been trying to contact any of the Dauphine’s remaining people, if it was possible to track them down.
Overhead, Thierry chirped from one of the low sweeping branches.:When I first arrived, I found it very strange that there wasn’t anyone running the house, even in the middle of the night. Though I was well used to House Isador’s excellent staff in the city. Perhaps things were done differently in your house, Leonie.:
She flashed a smile up at him. “Before the Dauphine came, we would have made you most welcome, no matter the hour. I didn’t have many Blood, but I had several dedicated humans who’d been working for Delafosse for generations. I’m hopeful some may have escaped but I saw Onésime and Adélaïde murdered by the Dauphine’s Blood. I hope and pray their daughter survived. Though I must assume the rest of my staff met a similar fate.”
“Do you remember how she first arrived? What she said?”
Her lovely face hardened, her eyes flashing. “I remember everything, my queen.”
I checked on Vore and Merlin’s locations as lightly as possible. I didn’t need visions of the gorefest. I just wanted to estimate how much longer they might need. Another hour at most. As Sekh said, they were making quick work of the thralls. The only part slowing them down was moving through the city to each location without drawing attention to themselves.
We had time to go inside and visit for a while. Perhaps have a cup of tea. Though Winston?—
“I’ve got this.” Daire flashed his dimples as he passed. “Winston showed anyone who was interested how to make a proper cuppa.”
“I don’t have any idea how old the tea might be,” Leonie called after him, wringing her hands. “Let alone if we have any cream or sugar.”
I pulled a shimmering wave of power over my body, cleansing the mud from my clothes and skin. Though I really wanted a nice long soak in a tub as soon as we got home.
Tucking my arm into Sekh’s and my other through hers, I drew her close as we walked toward her house. “Whatever’s available will be perfect.”
Flying overhead in a slow spiral, Nevarre highlighted a small building on the corner just down the street.:There’s a store nearby. I can easily grab a few things, my queen.:
:As your raven?:
He chuckled in our bond, though his raven cawed several times too in an eerie bird-like cackle.:I’m always prepared to shift. Tlacel has my bag with my kilt and Isador phone.:
:Excellent. Thank you, my Blood. Some fresh milk and a few things to put Leonie at ease will be most appreciated, but I expect she’ll probably prefer to go back home with us.:
:I’ll shift as soon as you go inside.:
Leonie made a small noise, though as soon as I glanced at her, she gave me another embarrassed look. “I’m so sorry, Your Majesty. I’m trying not to eavesdrop on your Blood bonds. But if I’m given a choice, I would prefer to go wherever you go.”
“Of course you have a choice. I’m not going to abandon you without any resources.” Gwen walked alongside us, so I asked her, “Are my Blood bonds so invasive for you?”
“Not at all,” Gwen replied. “Though again, I never needed to feed from you so deeply, my queen. Plus I have Blood bonds ofmy own. It’s possible once Leonie calls more Blood, you may find the intensity of your sibling bond lessening.”
