4
Luke
“How could they just disappear, Jay?” I barked angrily, consciously resisting the urge to run a hand through my already disheveled hair.
I sat at an ornately carved wooden table in a large study at House Heroux, along with the rest of the members of the High Council. We did not always meet in the same room—sometimes the King would call the High Council to his private study, or we would meet in a dining room and enjoy dinner while talking business. But we always met at House Heroux.
Jay had just finished his report to the King on his interrogation of House Mouchard, Lila Tragon’s maiden House. Neither Stefan nor Lila Tragon was located at House Mouchard’s estate in the north.
Jay arched his dark brow at my tone. I released an exasperated sigh. “It’s just… There are no whispers? Nothing to tell us where they may have gone?” I asked, this time tempering my note of frustration.
“Nik traveled there with me himself, and we both searched the grounds and spoke to people,” Jay replied calmly. “There was no sign of them, and no whispers.”
“I should have put Lila’s head on a fucking pike when I had the chance to,” the King interjected. “And that whore of hers as well, for good measure.”
House Mouchard’s strained relationship with the Crown was a concern for the High Council. House Mouchard did not like being subject to heightened scrutiny because of the unfavorable circumstances under which Lila Tragon had been ousted from the High Court by the King. Now, with Lila and Stefan missing, that scrutiny would only increase, and they were not likely to take kindly to the extra supervision.
“And then we would likely be at war with House Mouchard as well as Vandros right now, Grey,” Jay reminded the King, perfectly playing his role as Contra to the King. Not that I had any doubt before but my time serving on the High Council reaffirmed for me that Jay was particularly well-suited for his role as Contra. He did so well at countering the King’s more impulsive nature.
“Speaking of tenuous ties, how goes House Bellamy’s relations with House Dempsey?” Jay asked.
“The relations with House Dempsey are just fine,” I replied crisply.
Jay and I were still what I’d consider friends, despite the circumstances leading up to my and Al’s departures from House Vitruvian. However, our friendship gave him all the more reason to poke at what he knew to be a sore spot between my parents and me regarding the topic of Karina Dempsey.
Done with his bit of teasing, Jay brought the conversation around to his point. “It’s not that I believe House Dempsey has the same political leanings as House Mouchard, but House Mouchard’s influence is strong in that area. Even though House Dempsey controls the port closest to House Mouchard and most of the surrounding ports too, they are not immune to House Mouchard’s sway,” he said.
I was already well aware of House Dempsey’s importance. House Dempsey’s port and its influence at other northeastern ports was the reason why my parents so very badly wanted me to date Lord Dempsey’s youngest daughter, Karina.
“It’s also the closest port to the Alancian border. House Dempsey would be an ideal entry point into Valencia for Vandros. I’d sleep better at night knowing for sure that the Dempsey port and their ships were firmly within our grasp, Luke,” the King coaxed.
“House Bellamy will give you that peace, one way or another, my King,” I promised resolutely.
The King gave me a nod, indicating that he accepted my promise.
“And what about you, High Lord Dumont? What peace do you offer the Crown at this time?” the King inquired.
High Lord Dumont sat next to High Lord Preston, Drake’s sturdy lesser fae build a contrast to Grant’s lean, high fae frame.
“The Commander conducts a rotation with his best men of all prior weak points in the barrier wall. The Commander himself lays eyes on each of these points at least once a week,” High Lord Dumont reported proudly. “We continue to identify all new areas of risk along the border wall prior to the wall being compromised and bring those points to Your Majesty’s immediate attention. And there have been zero fatalities on our side in the hostilities with Alancian forces,” High Lord Dumont said, finishing his report with his chin high.
In sum, Cass, Commander of the Northern Forces of Valencia, was running one hell of an effective war front for us.
“I do not doubt what you say, Drake. But if that is all true, then how is it that we continue to find Alancian soldiers on this side of the wall?” Jay asked, voicing the question we were all thinking.
“It is true, Contra, that small bands of Alancians continue to be found on our side of the wall. They have been handled successfully thus far. And no large forces, nor Vandros himself, have made an appearance,” Drake explained.
“Rex is not one to sit on the sidelines, Drake,” Jay said. The King nodded in agreement. “If he has not shown his face yet, then it is only a matter of time before we’ll see him,” Jay opined.
Drake inclined his head to Jay, as if to say he would take Jay’s word for it.
“As to how the Alancians are coming over, the only logical explanation, Contra, is that we have traitors in our midst, and they have been there since before we had our current system of defenses in place,” Drake replied.
Again, we were all thinking about it. And I’d bet that if a vote was taken, the vote on the High Council would be unanimous that the traitors at our flanks were somehow related to House Mouchard. But Jay and the Prince had just personally searched House Mouchard for all signs of foul play. As of now, we had no evidence against House Mouchard.
“Grey, I drop in on House Mouchard every chance I get, which, these days, is almost weekly. I never announce my visits ahead of time, and I have yet to see any evidence of compromise of the border wall on House Mouchard’s lands,” Jay confirmed, although we all already knew this. Jay spent a lot of time up north visiting his wife, Elizabeth, now that she was pregnant with his heir.
“Gods damn it!” the King exclaimed, pounding his large fist on the table in front of him. “I want all the damn traitors found and killed,” the King barked. “Starting with that bit of filth still remaining from House Tragon,” he demanded, rising from his ornate chair. He smoothed the front of his tunic out like he was soothing his nerves.
“Yes, my King,” we all promised in unison.
“High Lord Preston. What reports do you have for the Crown?” the King inquired, turning to the comely lord.
“All is well on my end. Nothing to report, my King,” High Lord Preston replied proudly.
“Grant,” I interjected. “There is one matter I’d like to take up with you. I’ve heard that you may not take on a liaison from the Golden Court this year?” I phrased my point as a question, giving him the opportunity to make it appear as though I was simply misinformed.
Grant’s eyes slid to High Lord Dumont.
“Come now, Grant. Out with it,” the King demanded.
“Well, I had considered it, especially after a particularly persuasive visit from young Lord Rein and Lady Armand. But I have now been left with the distinct impression that a liaison from the Golden Court does not wish to serve my House,” Grant replied as neutral as possible.
“Drake, then, please enlighten us,” the King said, turning to High Lord Dumont.
“My King,” Drake began in a deferential tone, “those at the Golden Court are very appreciative of the gifts bestowed upon them by the Crown. So much so that they do not wish to depart from the Golden Court.”
I remained silent. I’d stirred the pot, but I was more than happy to sit back and let this play out a little.
“Drake,” Jay said, cutting in. “You know very well that separate but equal cannot be the yardstick by which we measure our efforts of unification between the high fae and lesser fae.”
“There is nothing wrong with my people enjoying their hard-earned new liberties,” Drake replied.
“Grant, Drake, Jay is right on this,” the King interjected. “I did away with the ‘don’ classification and then made certain land distributions to lesser fae families to pave the way for more lesser fae to become lords and ladies of this High Court. But in order to do so, they must come and serve at this Court,” the King admonished.
“My people wish to serve, my King. But it is the Crown, and not high fae Houses who they seek to serve,” Drake said, choosing his words carefully.
“Drake, I am not suggesting they come to this Court as servants. They will come to this Court as future lords and ladies and the future of this Kingdom. Now, enough of this. There will be at least one lesser fae liaison at every House at the Court, including yours, Grant. It is time that the high fae and lesser fae get back to fucking and fighting together as one again,” the King decreed.
“I second that,” Jay affirmed.
“Here, here,” I chimed in.
“Now, is there any further business from the High Council before I depart for the evening? I swear, I’m not sure what is worse. This talk of traitors or the three hours of fittings I’m about to have to sit through for my wedding that is still nearly a year away.” The King grimaced.