Chapter 16
Chapter Sixteen
“There’s an informal council meeting today,” Camilla said, watching as Thalia got dressed the next morning.
Thalia looked up from where she was getting wrangled into a gown. “Oh?”
Camilla nodded, noting the dark smudges that had appeared under Thalia’s eyes. “Not all the Houses will be present, but House Avanerius wanted to discuss who will be the next lord. Would you like to attend?”
Yes, that had been her plan all along. To attend council meetings so she might better begin building connections within the court. So she might find a weakness among the Houses and exploit them.
“Will I even be welcomed, considering my position is merely a formality?” Not to mention the prince still isn’t here?
Camilla shrugged. “You may be a human, but you are the princess. Whether the other courts like it or not, you are now part of House Lorenzia.”
Thalia chewed the inside of her cheek, debating. On one hand, it would be a prime time to learn more about the Houses. On the other hand … Cassius would be there.
She hadn’t spoken to him since he’d pinned her against the door. Annoyance pulsed in her stomach in time with the throbbing in her neck from the bruise that marred her throat.
“Well?” Camilla asked, breaking through her thoughts.
Thalia nodded as the servant stepped back. “Yes, I would like to attend.”
Camilla gave a half smile. “I should warn you … these council meetings can get rather intense.”
“So can humans’.”
Camilla raised a well-groomed brow, smoothing her hands over her purple satin gown. “Are you on the human council?”
Thalia nodded. “Yes, but my mother likes to keep her circle small. She only has a few advisers, and she relies on one more than the others.” Thalia’s mind flashed to Kamith. She resisted making a face as she continued, “But even if she had more, I’m not sure if she’d listen to them.”
“Why is that?”
Thalia fiddled with the brocade of her own dress, the gown dripping in gold applique over black satin.
“I don’t know. She hasn’t had it easy being queen.
Too many men have already tried to usurp her.
Better to keep her circle close.” She shut her mouth.
Talking to Camilla had started slipping dangerously close to being … friendly. And she couldn’t allow that.
Camilla pursed her lips, not seeming to notice Thalia’s sudden silence. The shifter shrugged. “Well, prepare for a lot of usurping today, because despite what you’ve seen with a human council, there is something far more dangerous about a Vampyrs’.”
Thalia expected to be whisked away to the council room, the only room she hadn’t acquainted herself with, but instead they gathered in the great hall. A circle of chairs had been placed in the middle of the room, and the back walls were lined with silver goblets of blood and glittering fruit.
Thalia braced herself to face Cassius, but to her surprise, the prick wasn’t there. In fact, the only Vampyrs on the prince’s council who were present were Camilla and Lord Damien.
“Princess.” Lord Damien inclined his head. Thalia resisted the urge to shiver at his red eyes. “Welcome.”
“Where’s Cassius?” Thalia said, and immediately regretted it when Camilla raised a brow.
“The prince has him dealing with another matter,” the lord said smoothly.
She made a face at that, but she remained quiet as she took a spot in the circle of chairs next to Camilla. More Vampyrs trickled in, and Thalia braced herself when Lord Adrian appeared. As soon as the lord saw her, his lip curled, sharp fangs exposed.
Thalia didn’t allow herself to cower.
“Welcome,” Lord Damien said as the Vampyrs took their seats. “We appreciate you all for coming. House Avanerius has called this meeting to discuss the current seat which is up.”
Thalia felt the stares of the Vampyrs searing her face. She ignored them.
“Well?” Lord Adrian said, his annoyance already evident. “Let’s hurry this along so we can end this meeting.”
“You seem to have more pressing things to attend to,” Camilla said dryly.
Lord Adrian’s lip curled again. It was surprising that his face hadn’t frozen like that. “You know I do.”
Interesting.
Lord Damien cleared his throat, drawing the attention of the room. “My father was voted by the rest of House Avanerius to take up the role of lord.”
Thalia glanced up at the Vampyr who stepped forward.
He looked nearly the same as his son, although a touch of age graced his smooth face.
He must have traveled from his capital city, Sanire, if Thalia’s faded memory of what she’d been taught as a child served her.
She didn’t recognize him from when she had first been introduced to the courts.
“Congratulations, Lord Calphis,” Camilla said. “I know that the prince would approve of this choice. Your experience in politics will strengthen House Avanerius, I have no doubt.”
The new lord bowed his head, red eyes flashing to Thalia before he took his seat once more.
“Are we done here?” Lord Adrian stood. “I have business to attend to.”
“What sort of business?” Thalia spoke.
The room stilled.
Lord Adrian’s eyes seemed to burn. “None that concerns you.”
Thalia kept her back ramrod straight. “Seeing as I aim to help the Houses as princess, I would like to know the affairs of my kingdom.”
“Except that the Houses don’t answer to you,” Lord Adrian sneered. “You think that attending a singular meeting means you are entitled to know the affairs of all Houses? You might have married into House Lorenzia, but you are a far ways from running it.”
Thalia bit the inside of her cheek, the Vampyr’s words slapping her across her face.
“Do the other Houses not answer to House Lorenzia? Is it not part of your law that while you, Lord Adrian, run House Gallinus, House Lorenzia presides over all?” Lord Adrian’s eyes blazed as she continued, “Does that not mean that your House still answers to mine?”
The tension in the room stretched. Lord Adrian’s face rippled, his flesh sinking into his skull. Thalia wasn’t scared. “So, I will ask this again, what sort of business do you have to attend to?”
Lord Damien and Camilla stilled beside her.
But before Lord Adrian could open his mouth, Lord Amadeus spoke. “We are having issues with exportation, Princess.”
The room shifted and Lord Adrian scowled, but his face didn’t return to normal; it remained emaciated, his green eyes nearly black.
Thalia made a face. “What sort of issues?”
“Vaccarium exports multiple goods to other territories,” Lord Amadeus said. “Recently, the price of exportation has increased as the demand for certain goods like timber has lessened. House Gallinus is the sole exporter of timber due to their capital being so rich with wood.”
“And you are facing … financial crisis because of this?” Thalia turned to Lord Adrian.
At least he was sitting down, but his face kept rippling as though he were trying to get his transformation under control.
But financial strain … yes, that could work.
Depending on how badly House Gallinus needed money for its city—
Lord Adrian’s eyes darkened. “Call it what you like.”
“No other House will help?” Thalia pushed.
Lord Adrian scoffed. “House Lorenzia could. Your coffers are full.”
Thalia’s heart thudded. She willed it to calm. “Have you brought this up to the prince? I’m sure money could be spared if your city is in need.”
“The prince”—Lord Adrian bared his fangs—“appears to have more pressing business than overseeing the Houses he was meant to help.”
“I could find the funds,” Thalia said.
Lord Adrian stiffened, his skin warping. “I didn’t ask for your help—”
“House Lorenzia would be glad to discuss financial issues, Lord Adrian,” Camilla said smoothly. “We are always eager to help our fellow Houses, especially if this matter affects the people of Vaccarium. We wouldn’t want to see any more issues arise with House Gallinus.”
Lord Adrian seemed near bursting, but it was Lord Amadeus who swept in. “Thank you, Princess. That is most generous.”
Thalia nodded, even as Lord Adrian stood, the other members of his House standing as well. “Excuse me, Princess,” he spat, but no one made to stop him as he and his entourage filed out.
But before the doors of the great hall closed, Keegan slipped in. His steps were clipped as he crossed the floor, coming up to Lord Damien’s side. Camilla perked up, but Keegan spoke too low for Thalia to hear. Lord Damien stilled before tilting his chin.
Keegan stepped back, surprise flaring slightly when he noticed Thalia, but he didn’t comment.
Lord Damien stood. “I’m afraid the prince’s council is needed elsewhere. Any other House needs will be discussed at the House meeting when the prince returns. If you’ll excuse us.” He nodded to Camilla, who also stood.
Thalia rose to follow the prince’s council, but Lord Damien shook his head. “I’m afraid you cannot come.”
“Why not?” Thalia knew she wasn’t on the prince’s council officially, but surely attending this meeting was a step in the right direction—
“The hand’s orders.”
Thalia scowled, but Camilla and Keegan merely passed her and headed out of the room. The other Vampyrs also trickled out. But Thalia had more questions.
“Lord Amadeus,” she called, before the lord could leave with his entourage. “A moment, if you please.”
The Vampyr turned, surprise on his dark face, before he made his way back to her. Even though it was now just them in the room, Thalia wasn’t frightened. He seemed to be the only Vampyr who wasn’t eager to see her bleed. At least for now.
“Yes?” the lord said.
“I’m sorry to keep you, but I have some questions, if you don’t mind.”
The lord tilted his head, golden eyes wary. “About what?”
Thalia gestured for him to take a seat once more as she did the same. “House Gallinus seems to be … struggling. Are the Houses not all beholden to aid each other in times of need? Surely there are funds outside of House Lorenzia that could help House Gallinus maintain their city.”
Lord Amadeus scrubbed a hand over his jaw. “The Houses do aid each other. But we are not beholden. The only House we are sworn to uphold and protect is House Lorenzia, because the prince watches over us all.”
Thalia tucked this kernel of information away; her mother would be very interested to hear it. Because if the Houses didn’t need to help each other, then surely there must be something she could use to turn them against one another.
“But just because we aren’t sworn to help doesn’t mean we aren’t allies,” Lord Amadeus said, as if reading her thoughts.
“At the end of the day, the vitality and sanctity of Vaccarium is what matters. No matter what sort of … disagreements the Houses might have with each other. We all must work together for the good of Vaccarium.”
Thalia picked at the skin of her thumbs. “How is House Santorien?”
Lord Amadeus seemed surprised at her question. “It is well.”
“I heard that your House keeps the peace between Houses.”
The Vampyr raised a dark brow. “House Santorien prefers peace over strife. Surely, as a ruler, you also feel the same.”
Thalia felt her stomach tighten, but she forced a smile. “Of course. That is why I’m here—to ensure that peace continues, not only with the humans but also here, in Vaccarium.”
Lord Amadeus smiled, although it seemed more like a grimace. “Is there anything else, Princess?”
Yes, what sort of secrets are you all hiding so I might exploit them?
Thalia’s cheeks stretched farther into a near-painful smile. “Please do inform me of anything I might help with. I know I haven’t earned the Houses’ trust yet, but I do wish to do my part in helping rule alongside the prince.”
Lord Amadeus hesitated before nodding. “Of course.”
He left, and Thalia was left alone in the great hall. She picked at the skin around her thumbs which snagged, but she ignored the pain.
She needed to think. Too many things had transpired in less than twenty-four hours—from finding the strange Vampyr who was sick to learning that House Gallinus was facing exportation issues. She had more questions than answers, and she was beginning to feel like her head was going to explode.
She rose, her gown swishing at her heels.
She might not have answers, but she could get some fresh air.
And a ride on Feryena sounded like just the remedy.