Chapter 5
At long last, Ro had made it into the bathing pool. The hot water felt amazing. She reclined on the steps, her head resting on a towel to cushion the stone edge.
With her eyes closed, it was impossible not to picture Star’s face. Her mother. Here. If she’d thought about it, she would have realized it was inevitable. At some point, Star had to pass away in the mortal realm.
Which meant she had to arrive here.
Ro opened her eyes. By that logic, Maggie, her grandmother, ought to be here, too. Did that mean she’d chosen to live her life away from them? Seemed like a logical explanation for why she hadn’t shown up.
Ro supposed that there was no reason for Maggie to suddenly want to be around family when she hadn’t been that way in life.
What had changed for Star, then?
Ro felt like she knew the answer to that. Star had discovered that Ro was queen. And if she’d figured out that Violet was living in the palace, Star would expect to be able to do that herself. All of that made sense.
Star had shown up because she wanted to take advantage of everything Ro’s position had to offer.
Ro frowned, thinking about what she’d done and questioning the wisdom of it. She’d sent word that Star was to be put in guest accommodations. Gabriel was having guards keep an eye on her, so she wasn’t just wandering through the palace, opening drawers and peeking in cabinets.
Maybe Ro was being too harsh, but how was she supposed to trust the woman who’d abandoned her as a baby? The woman who couldn’t be bothered to raise her own daughter?
The resentment Ro felt showed no signs of easing.
Some might say she needed therapy. She snorted.
Therapy wasn’t going to fix this. Nothing was.
For the sake of her kingdom, she would find a way to be civil and do whatever needed to be done, but deep down, it would never stop irritating her.
She would never have warm, fuzzy feelings toward that woman.
“My lady?” Luena’s voice rang out.
“In the bathing pool,” Ro called back. “You can come in.”
Luena appeared, gaze averted. “Would you like me to lay something out for you for dinner?”
Ro had kind of been hoping to just have a simple tray sent up. “I don’t think there’s going to be anything to get dressed for.”
Luena frowned. “Oh. Perhaps it was for something else then. I was just in the kitchen getting a cup of tea and they’re preparing a meal to be served in the private dining room.”
Ro sat up. “I think you must have misheard. The kitchen is working on a feast for all those who assisted at Tenebrae this morning. The royal guards, the wyvern, and the neph. Prince James spoke to them about it. But that will be in the great hall.”
Luena shook her head. “I promise, your highness. The cook I spoke with specifically said they’d had directions to prepare a meal to be served in the private dining room.”
Ro tried to recall if she’d arranged something and forgotten about it. “I honestly don’t know what that’s about. Can you find out? Maybe just go next door and ask my aunt.”
“Yes, your highness.” With a nod, she was gone.
Ro scooted down a step, sinking into the water up to her neck.
She really did not want to get dressed and made up to sit through a formal dinner.
Tonight was the kind of night where, had she still been in the mortal world, she’d have put on an old TV show like I Love Lucy or The Dick Van Dyke Show, fixed a nice big mug of cocoa, and zoned out.
Without television, she’d end up with a book instead. Since she’d recently discovered the palace library, there was no shortage of things to read. She loved to read. She’d imagined she’d have plenty of time for it here.
Hadn’t worked out that way so far.
With a soft groan, she got out of the bathing pool and wrapped herself in a towel. She heard Luena return.
The young woman came in. “Your highness, your aunt didn’t know anything about dinner this evening. Would you like me to go back down to the kitchen and see what I can find out?”
“Yes, thank you.”
Just then, three rapid knocks sounded from the front door.
“I can see who that is, if you like,” Luena said.
“Please. Thank you.”
Luena took off.
Ro could only imagine what was happening now. She finished drying off and pulled on a robe, then slippers. She went out to see who was at the door.
She met Luena coming from the sitting room.
The young woman looked worried. She shook her head. “I don’t know what to make of this, your highness. A message has been delivered that you, your aunt, and your son are all invited to dinner in the private dining room this evening.”
Ro stopped where she was. “Invited by who?”
Luena swallowed. “According to the message, your mother?”
“She’s out of her mind. You cannot be serious.”
“I’m only relaying the message, your highness.”
Ro took a breath. “I know. I’m not upset with you. But that woman has gone too far. She has no right to make any demands of the kitchen. Or me!” She paced to one side. “I should throw her out.”
Aunt Violet came in. “Did you hear what Star has done?”
“Yes,” Ro muttered. “Luena just informed me. Can you believe her?”
“I can,” Violet said. “I’m sorry, but that’s just who she is. What are you going to do about it?”
“I have no idea.” Ro stopped pacing and looked at Luena. “Can you find out who else has been invited? The kitchen should at least know how many people are supposed to attend this dinner.”
“Right away, your highness.” Luena left.
Ro sighed. “Aunt Vi, this is not going to work if she keeps acting like this. Where does she get this sense of entitlement?”
“She’s had it all her life,” Violet said. “I’ll go along with whatever you want. Did you give her a room? Is that why she’s still here?”
“I did, a guest room. I didn’t know what else to do with her and I was afraid that if I turned her away, she’d make such a stink that my citizens would think I was a terrible person.”
Violet nodded. “Safe assumption. Maybe I should go talk to her.”
“I don’t know if that would help or not. I was really looking forward to a night in.”
“And you should have one after the day you’ve had. But not showing up for this dinner could result in her feeling slighted, which would mean she might badmouth you all the same.”
Ro wondered if there was actually steam coming out of her ears or if it only felt that way. “This is emotional blackmail.”
“Yes, it is,” Violet said.
Ro planted her hands on her hips. “This dinner isn’t happening. Unless you can think of a good reason it should.”
“I’m happy to defer to you on this. I hate to be unkind but dinner with Sheridan doesn’t hold a lot of appeal, if I’m being truthful. It’ll be an hour of her talking about herself, I’m sure.”
“I agree. This needs to be nipped in the bud. She needs to know that she holds no power here. Just because she gave birth to me doesn’t mean she’s entitled to ride my coattails. Not after not actually being a mother.”
“What are you going to do?”
“Get dressed and go have a hard conversation with her.”
Violet’s eyes rounded. “Are you sure that’s a good idea?”
“No, but it’s the only one I have. Outside of offering her a position. That’s been discussed further since JT suggested it. Uldamar and Gabriel think it’s a reasonable idea. Nothing important, mind you. Just something to keep her busy and content.”
“So you’re going to pay her blackmail.” Violet held up her hands. “No judgment, I promise. I think that’s a good idea. It will keep her close enough that she can be monitored and hopefully controlled. I’d do the same thing in your position.”
“Would you really?”
“Yes,” Violet said. “You have to think about the bigger picture in a situation like this.”
“That’s what I’m trying to do.” Ro rubbed her forehead.
Violet came closer. “I’m sorry about all this. I had a feeling Sheridan would show up here someday. I just didn’t think it would be so soon.”
“Thanks.” Ro hugged her aunt. “I’m so glad you’re here. Honestly, I don’t know what I’d do without you.”
Violet smiled as Ro let her go. “You’re very capable. I’m sure you’d manage.”
“Not as well. Speaking of showing up here, have you even seen your sister? Or heard from her? She must be here, too, right?”
“Probably. But Maggie’s never shown her face or reached out, so if she is, she isn’t interested in a reunion.” Violet smiled sadly. “Can’t say as that surprises me.”
Luena returned. “My lady, the kitchen has said they were told to prepare for four guests.”
Ro took a breath. “So her, my aunt, me, and JT.”
Violet gave a little nod. “Sounds that way to me.”
“Luena, find me something comfortable but appropriately royal to wear. Jewelry and a circlet, too. I need to go have a talk with someone.”
“Right away, your highness.” She went off to the dressing room.
Violet put her hand on Ro’s arm. “Do you want me to go with you? To back you up?”
It was tempting. “I hate to ask that of you.”
“You’re not asking, I’m offering.”
As much as Ro didn’t want to pull her aunt into this, having her there would be great support. “I’d actually like that a lot.”
Violet smiled. “I’ll just go freshen up. I’ll be in the sitting room when you’re ready.”
She started to leave, but Ro grabbed her hand. “I love you, Aunt Vi.”
“I love you, too, sweetheart. And I know you’re mad at Sheridan—Star, whatever she’s calling herself these days. I get it. I’m not thrilled with her right now, either. But I will never regret having you in my life.”
Ro sniffed. “Thanks, Aunt Vi. I feel the same way about you.”
Now she just had to keep hold of this sense of peace and calm while she talked to her mother.