Chapter 26
Chapter Twenty-Six
MY MOTHER’S DAUGHTER
I’m more relaxed on the second night of the Gathering.
The tough part, where someone could have challenged us, is over.
Joaquin is supposed to arrive tonight, and I want to see where it can go between us.
I sit on my throne, sipping a drink, the Raven ring heavy on my finger, the ruby catching the faint light, like old blood.
It’s strange to sit here, holding power in my hand; I can see how easily it could overwhelm me.
The crowd below dance and mill about, a sea of silver, grey and black, flashes of jewels and beautiful faces. I should join them.
It’s not like there aren’t people I know here: Corinna Eligor, and a few others I recognise from Versailles.
Representatives from Darkwing and Karanlik have arrived, too, their ships spotted offshore a couple of days ago, their coaches joining the others this evening.
They’ve greeted me, unofficially, Darkwing’s manner friendly yet distant, Karanlik more effusive.
It’s progress, I suppose. I spot Deryck Vindhof in the crowd.
He winks at me, outrageous as usual. He danced with me last night, dipping me and twirling me, making me laugh.
Perhaps he wouldn’t be a bad choice for lieutenant.
I have to choose someone tomorrow night, and I’ve been mulling over the very short list of options.
Whoever I pick needs to be aligned with my views, and willing to work with me to change things for humans.
But they also need to be noble, and strategically connected.
Mistral have held the role several times, most recently for my mother, but they’re not an option.
Ravenko have also done so, in the past, but Stefan is unsuitable for obvious reasons.
I like Deryck, he seems to like me, and I think there could be real friendship there.
I just wish I knew more about his politics.
And that he didn’t remind me so much of Michael.
I’m about to stand when there’s a rustle of anticipation, spreading through the dancing crowd like a wave. I sit up, craning my head.
Joaquin. He heads towards me, his entourage following, all rippling power. My parents are also on their way but he arrives before they do, waiting at the base of the stairs, his dark gaze on me. I stand, but otherwise don’t move. I don’t know the steps of this dance, and don’t want to get it wrong.
‘Emelia Raven.’ Joaquin’s voice rings out. The rustling crowd becomes quieter. ‘I come to offer you Jaguar’s support. But also, on a more personal level, I wish to tell you this.’ He puts one foot on the first step. I stare at the curving strength of his thigh, his broad shoulders.
‘I come to pay court to you, lovely Raven. To repair what once was broken. What do you say?’ His mouth curves at one corner. I remember how it felt to kiss him there.
Oh, he is absolutely what I need.
He holds out his hand. I descend the stairs to take it. And we enter the dance.
Dancing with Joaquin is as it was at Versailles, his strength overwhelming.
I don’t mind, really. Not when I’m pressed against his muscular chest, his violet and musk scent curling around me, that sensual mouth so close to mine.
After a few songs someone taps my shoulder. Joaquin pauses, raising an eyebrow.
‘May I cut in?’ The cool voice awakens memories, of a dark nightclub and a bone-crushing embrace. And Kyle, protecting me.
I glance at Joaquin. He shrugs. ‘If you’re all right with it, then I am.’
I turn. Stella Ravenna, my cousin, is standing there. ‘Stella. How nice to see you again.’
‘And you.’ She smiles, and I can see her trying to make it sincere. I wait. ‘My father said he saw you at Versailles.’
‘That’s right. He told me you missed me. And I thought that was weird, because we never hang out.’
Joaquin chuckles, a dark rich sound. ‘If you want to dance, let’s go. So I can return to Emelia afterwards.’
Stella’s brows come together. ‘Fine. Fuck … I just… Forget the act, Emelia. I know you’re putting your court together, darkness knows why, but here we are. And I want a place in it.’
‘Darkness knows why?’ I keep my tone cool. ‘Not sure what you mean by that.’
‘What I mean is, hardly anyone thought you’d survive to be the heir. That’s why no one hangs out with you.’
I snort. ‘Oh, really? It wasn’t because you all tried to eat me at my sixth birthday party?’
Joaquin clicks his tongue. ‘Cruel children,’ he murmurs, his hand on my waist, his thumb stroking my ribs. ‘Although I’m sure you are delicious.’ He kisses my cheek. Stella’s green gaze widens.
‘Look,’ she says. ‘I want to be part of the court. If you’ll have me. We’re family, after all.’
‘We are. So maybe you need to tell your father that challenging us isn’t a very family-oriented thing to do,’ I hiss. ‘Then, perhaps, I’ll see which positions are available.’
Stella rears back. ‘What? I don’t know anything about that.’
‘I find that hard to believe.’
‘Would you still like to dance, little cat?’ Joaquin moves closer to Stella, his hand leaving my waist.
Her eyes widen as she meets his gaze, and she stumbles. ‘Um, yes. Sure.’
Ugh. Whatever. I need a drink, anyway. Joaquin swings Stella into the dance, and I head back to the dais. When I get there my parents are waiting.
‘We need to talk.’ My father’s expression is stern.
‘Not here.’ My mother’s dark brows draw together. ‘On the coach.’
The silk at the rear of the dais opens, Bertrand holding it back. My father ushers my mother and me through, a hand at both our waists. My stomach drops. What in darkness is happening?
Varin is already on the coach when we climb aboard, a faint candle lamp illuminating the strong lines of his face. He looks like a knight of legend, Sir Lancelot in gilded black. He’s holding a sheet of paper, frowning.
‘What’s going on?’ I can’t bear the oppressive silence.
‘We’ve received a message. From Mistral. A letter, in the old way, sealed and stamped. They’ve also put it online.’ My father paces, running a hand through his hair.
‘Mistral?’ My stomach sinks. Oh no, if they’ve hurt Michael, I’ll—
‘They wish to withdraw their Challenge.’
Relief washes over me. ‘They do?’ I snort. ‘Not that they have much choice.’
‘They’ve certainly tried to make it look that way.’ Scorn colours my mother’s tone. ‘Their public message talks a lot about how they want to support you, how they’ve seen the error of their ways.’
‘And the private message?’ I glance at Varin, whose jaw is tight.
‘It says much the same, though there’s a condition attached,’ he says.
‘A condition?’ I will not marry either of them, I don’t care if we have to go to war.
‘You have to choose one of them as your lieutenant.’
The words slam into me like an arrow. ‘Sorry … did you just say I have to choose one of those assholes as my lieutenant? Why in darkness would they think I’d do that? Their Challenge isn’t going ahead because they can’t get the support!’
‘Because if you don’t, they’ll reveal the true nature of their father’s death, and expose his role as Head of the North Wind.’
‘So? Let them.’
‘It’s not that simple, unfortunately.’ My mother looks pained. ‘Mistral was my lieutenant, and he betrayed us. Many lives were lost, and property destroyed, in that rebellion. If it comes out that Mistral was behind it, it could weaken our position.’
‘Why?’ I’m furious. ‘Why does our choosing to punish a traitor mean we’re weak?’
‘Because we didn’t know about it. He was plotting against me, against you, against the realm of Raven itself, right under our noses,’ my father says.
‘If they expose this now and spin it so it looks like they’ve been pressured into accepting you, it could negate any of the gains you’ve made with the tour and Versailles. ’
‘Is this about me being human again?’ I shake my head. ‘No. I did not go through … what I went through, for these two idiots to try and take my realm. Because that’s what they want, isn’t it? I doubt I’d survive long with either of them as my lieutenant.’
‘No one would let anything happen to you!’ My mother sounds shocked. I’m surprised at her na?veté.
‘So, I’m to keep living my life constantly under guard? I don’t want that, either! And I doubt either of them will be interested in what I want to do for humans. Anyone I choose needs to be aligned with my agenda.’
‘Who were you thinking of choosing?’
‘I’m still not sure. Corinna Eligor, possibly. Or Deryck Vindhof.’ Even though he reminds me of Michael. I pause. ‘What did it say in the letter? The exact wording? About who they want me to choose?’
‘It requests that you choose “a son of Mistral” as your lieutenant,’ Varin says, his lip curling. ‘In honour of their late father.’
Hmm. ‘Not that their father should be honoured in any way, but are there any positives to choosing Mistral?’
‘Why do you ask?’ My father stops pacing, folding his arms.
‘Well, you’ve always taught me to consider all sides.’ An idea is forming. Another gamble.
‘Mistral was a good lieutenant to me, until he wasn’t,’ my mother says, looking thoughtful. ‘He stepped aside when your father came into my life—’
‘Though it wasn’t without tension, my love,’ my father interjects. My mother glares at him.
‘As I was saying, he served me well. The Mistral line have held the position before. And, of course, it will alleviate any dissent.’ Her onyx gaze narrows, briefly. ‘The twelve families know the truth of how and why Mistral died, and four of them chose to side with his sons against you anyway.’
‘So, if I choose one of them, it will effectively nip that in the bud. Make us out to be the bigger person in all this.’
‘Yes. Binding one of Mistral’s sons to us also means there will be far higher consequences for their treachery.
Loyalty is valued highly among our people, and taking the post of lieutenant sends a message.
For one of Mistral’s sons to hold the post, then turn on us, would likely be the end of their family line. ’