“Thank you, Your Majesty.”
By the time I made it completely through my Rolodex, I had removed a distressingly large stack of out-of-date cards. Onlythree of my old contacts were still alive and reachable under the same number. Though I refused to lose hope completely. Once I had the shop open again, there was much I could do to revive our community.
Regina took the outdated stack of cards to begin researching. She was much faster than me on modern technology.
“I’ve got a preliminary list of your accounts.” Gina passed several pages of paper to me. “It looks like most of your finances were automated, which is great. The Dauphine also continued to approve—as you—anything that came to her attention, so your physical properties are all up to date on local taxes. Which is great news, to be honest. I was afraid some of your auxiliary properties may have been reclaimed by the city.”
“Me too.” I blew out a sigh of relief. “I could start a new storefront anywhere, of course, but Mama’s spirit prefers our shop. We consecrated the entire space to Oya, and She preserved everything until I could return.”
“I’ve got several people lined up for consiliari roles, though I’d like to discuss with my queen first.”
“Of course, I understand. Thank you so much for sorting out the main properties. That was my primary concern. And the phone, of course.”
Gina gave me a warm smile. “My pleasure, Your Majesty. If you need anything, please don’t hesitate to call or text me. Hopefully we can meet with Shara in a day or two to discuss?—”
“I’m here,” Shara said behind us. “I’m up.”
We scrambled to our feet and turned around. Gina pulled out her chair, while I gathered up some of the files and papers I’d strewn across the table so she could sit down. Cradling her in his arms, Rik set her down in the chair, though the big guy didn’t look happy about it.
“Don’t fuss,” Shara chided. “Please, sit with me for a bit. I’m sick of lying in bed. What are we working on?”
“It can wait—” Gina began.
“I need to do something other than lay in bed and bleed,” Shara said firmly. “I’m fine. I’m not ill or contagious. I’m just tired and feel a little weak.” She looked up at Winston, smiling her thanks as he prepared her a cup of tea the way she liked. “I should probably eat some beef to get my iron levels up.”
“I’ve already got filet mignon on the grill, Your Majesty. It’ll be ready in a few minutes.”
“Thank you, Winston.” She took a sip of hot tea and sighed softly. “So, fill me in.”
Against her pale face, the dark circles beneath her eyes looked like bruises. Despite all the rest she’d been getting, she looked exhausted.
And no wonder. I could smell her blood. So much, not a drop or two. My mouth filled up with saliva, and I had to swallow before I said anything. “Liver would be best for your iron levels, Your Majesty.”
“Back to formalities, are we?” She arched a brow at me, attempting to give a firm stare, though the corner of her mouth twitched. “The thought of eating liver makes me want to hurl.”
“I have a few ideas,” Winston called from the kitchen. “If you’re open to trying new recipes, Your Majesty.”
“I’ll try anything you make, Winston, but maybe don’t tell me what’s in it.”
Gina laid one of the pages in front of Shara. “I’ve compiled a list of consiliari for you both to consider. These candidates all have at least some prior experience and are looking for a chance to rise to a higher house, or they lost their position through no fault of their own.”
“Like?”
“Julie Summers’ family served House Avalon for hundreds of years, but when Queen Clarissant died, Avalon began to crack and fall apart. The surviving heirs fought over crumbs and eventually were absorbed by other European queens. Julieherself was consiliarius for Elaine Shalott until she disappeared.”
“Avalon…” Regina gulped. “Like King Arthur’s Avalon?”
Shara’s lips quirked and she shook her head. “More like Queen Guinevere’s Avalon. Which makes House Isador indirectly responsible for Julie losing both houses.”
“How’s that?” I asked, not following at all.
“It’s a very long story, but Gwen forced Elaine to return to… wherever she came from to protect Lancelot, and before that, while Mehen was trapped, several queens tried to free him so they could use his dragon. Unfortunately, I’m pretty sure Clarissant Avalon was one of them.”
“D… Dragon?” Regina gaped at Shara and then whooped. “I fucking knew it!” Then she blushed beet red. “I’m so sorry, Your Majesty. I didn’t mean to cuss in your presence. It won’t happen again.”
Shara huffed out a laugh. “Why the fuck not?”
34
