1/Kaeleer
The Queens and Boyos descended on the Hall like an avalanche. Daemon braced himself as best he could and prepared for impact. At least he didn't have to face it alone. Lucivar and Surreal were beside him, although her support seemed focused on wagering who would be the first to get hauled into his study. He wouldn't find it half so irksome if she didn't win every time.
As for his brother, Lucivar had delayed returning to Ebon Rih long enough to be at the Hall when everyone arrived. No doubt with a separate agenda to scout out what he had to work with for training. And for the thousandth time, Daemon was glad not to have been born Eyrien.
"The Boyos and Titian are going to stay over," his brother mentioned suddenly.
Daemon reeled back on his heels, unprepared. Once the shock wore off, though, he turned to Lucivar.
"They're what!?"
"They wanted to be with their friends. What's three more going to make any difference, anyway?"
"You can't just leave them here and fly off to Ebon Rih."
"Can so. And that's just what I'm going to do."
Daemon knew arguing with his Eyrien brother was useless, and resigned himself to taking in his niece and nephews for the next week or so. At least he hoped this would only last a few weeks. How long could the Queens afford to be gone from their home courts?
No time to worry about that. Beale was admitting the first guests to arrive into the great hall. Charlotte and her First Escort, Lukas. Since her last visit to the Hall, she'd become Territory Queen. He did not look forward to the first time he'd have to broker a trade agreement for Dhemlan.
He supposed he'd survive it somehow.
They crossed the room to stand before him. Charlotte was dressed as he always remembered- a flowing jacket over tailored pants. Today it was an ensemble of deep green, which accentuated the paleness of her hair. It was shorn off at the jawline in a sleek cut to flatter the natural beauty of her face.
Next to her, Lukas was slightly richer in coloring. But not by much. Only the faintest hint of yellow gilded his hair. The boyo had matured even since the last time Daemon had seen him. Not just physically, but in the way he held himself. And then Lukas smiled at him. It bespoke trouble already.
"High Lord," Charlotte greeted him and turned to Lucivar. "Prince Yaslana."
"Lady Charlotte," he acknowledged. "Prince Lukas."
"I don't know if we're early or late, but we're here."
"Right on time, actually," said Jaenelle Saetien, who was rushing down the stairs. She barely pulled to a stop before running into them.
"'Nelle!"
"You're really here."
"Yup, you're stuck with us now."
"Not to mention us."
Daemon turned in time to see Heather siding up to the group. A few stray wisps of sandy brown hair had escaped the elaborate braid trailing over one shoulder. She'd woven sprigs of some flowering fern in it this time, picking up the hazel of her eyes. They danced with lively amusement, as usual.
Behind her followed her brother Gregory- an older, more solid version of Heather. Although he had a few more freckles than his sister did. But they both shared a similar temperament. Daemon wasn't sure he was ready to handle the mischief he knew Gregory would be up to.
Could be worse, he considered. Could be Paresha and her brothers. Those three are beyond mischief.
That's when he noticed another Warlord in their group that he didn't recognize right away. This one had neither the brown hair nor hazel eyes of his companions. His dark hair and grey eyes reminded him of Aaron from days long gone. He didn't have time to wonder long at who the Warlord might be. Jaenelle craned her neck around the Glacians to see the new arrivals.
"And who'd you bring there? That's not Wellert I see. He swore he'd never leave his pile of books the last time I visited Dharo."
The young man smiled sheepishly and tried not to fidget.
"Heather is a good motivator. I believe her exact words were 'pack your stuff and get moving, or else'."
"Or else what?"
"I packed my things so I wouldn't find out."
Laughter filled the room. Knowing Heather, the young man had likely meant for that to be serious, but no one could resist the humor in it. Daemon included. So far all was going well enough, and it was almost over.
Five down. Just two more to go.
"Now that sounds familiar," said a male voice. "Maureen was similarly insistent this morning."
Wait…Maureen? What was she doing here?
Jaenelle had clearly said it was only supposed to be Charlotte, Adrienne and Heather. Daemon prayed to the Darkness that he'd just misheard the name. But when he looked closely, that prayer went unheard. Maureen and her escort, Rordan, were indeed joining the ever growing crowd in the great hall.
*Did the waif forget to mention them at breakfast* Lucivar asked. To Daemon's ear, he sounded far more amused than he had a right to be.
*I don't know, but that doesn't matter much, does it? They're here*
*That they are*
"Oh hey," Jaenelle said, genuinely surprised. "I thought you weren't going to be here for a few more weeks."
Well, that explained why she hadn't mentioned them at breakfast. And gave Daemon an idea what to expect when this group all went home. He had a bad feeling that the Hall would become a revolving guest house for the coven and the boyos until he admitted defeat and let Lilith leave. A plan that would likely succeed, Daemon had to admit.
"Changed my mind," the young Queen answered with a shake of her auburn hair and a wink. "Why would I pass up the chance to visit with everyone? An opportunity like that doesn't happen every day."
He wasn't sure he was ready for such an opportunity to be happening right now. Once Adrienne arrived, they'd have four Queens in the Hall- not to mention three Warlord Princes. Mother Night.
And it seemed the Darkness wasn't hearing any of his prayers today. Beale had just ushered in Paresha and her two brothers from Nharkhava. Also not on the list of who he was expecting to see.
No. Oh no. Not the three of them.
2/Kaeleer
Alex watched the gathering from his secluded corner, sight shielded. 'Nelle had asked if he would come meet everyone tonight, but he knew that could be a mistake. So far, he was glad to have been cautious. When the first Queen and her escort arrived, he immediately noticed tension building in him. Somewhat like he'd felt the first few times he'd felt around Tarine in Draega. He'd hoped that it wouldn't get any worse than that.
By the time the third Queen arrived, he was close to the killing edge. Didn't matter that this was Kaeleer instead of Terreille, or that none of these witches were anything like the Queens in Hayll. He wanted them dead. Worse than dead. But Alex fought against that desire and held onto his sanity. Barely.
What had his sister been thinking to invite them here?
*These are our humans* Taenne's voice rumbled across a spear thread. *We do not hunt our humans*
The cats had been his almost constant shadows ever since just after breakfast. Apparently Lucivar wasn't the only one who'd decided he needed immediate training. It was unnerving to have the undivided attention of two very large and dangerous predators. But Alex didn't dare turn down their help. Judging by how he felt now, he was going to need it.
Alex took his eyes off the witches briefly, glancing at Taenne.
*I'm not hunting anyone*
It was a lie, he knew. They knew it, too.
*Not hunt our humans* Haedyn repeated firmly
There was no point in denying it a second time, so he asked a question instead.
*What do you mean 'our humans'?*
*The Lady and her friends- intelligent humans. They belong to us*
*And the humans who don't? Is it okay to hunt them?*
*Not outside our Territory unless the Lady says*
They didn't sound happy about it. Alex didn't blame them, as it seemed he was expected to follow the same rule. He was reminded of the order Lilith had given him in Draega. Meredith and her coven bitches would be dead if she hadn't told him he couldn't hunt them down. She'd been right, of course. But that didn't mean Alex had to like it.
*Is dangerous to be here- not enough training yet*
*I don't think I'm going to have a choice, short of telling 'Nelle they can't stay. And I doubt she'll listen*
*The Lady will help*
*Lilith? Oh hell no*
*Only one who can help* Taenne stressed.
More true than Alex wanted to admit. But just as he doubted 'Nelle would listen to him about the Queens, so he doubted Lilith would be willing to help him deal with them. Hell's fire, he wasn't sure she wouldn't gut him for just talking to her, based on the mood she was in this morning.
*I can't ask her that*
They shared a glance, which Alex didn't like one bit.
*We can ask*
Just what he needed. How pathetic he'd look if Haedyn and Taenne had to plead on his behalf with Lilith. Not an option.
*No, but thank you for the offer*
The cat was about to reply when another group walked in the great hall.
3/Kaeleer
Next to him, Surreal was practically choking with the need to laugh. That or go into a fit of hysterics. The last time the trio had been at the Hall, Paresha's twin brothers had been overly fond of pretending to be the other. Mrs. Beale had been the unwitting foil to one of their pranks, and Daemon distinctly remembered his cook threatening him with the business end of her meat cleaver if she caught them at it again.
*Surreal…* he sent to her, somewhat panicked.
*I hope you're ready to do battle with Mrs. Beale again over those two* she sent on a Gray thread.
*Dammit, it's not funny*
*Mmmm…Khamil and Teodaer sure thought so*
*I swear I'm going to find a spell to tell them apart*
*So you keep saying*
He hadn't, though. Identical in every way- even their caste and Jewels were the same. Daemon wasn't sure whose bright idea that was. Certainly not something he would have ever have let happen. And he certainly wouldn't have made them brothers to one of the wildest Queens in Kaeleer.
In a word, Paresha was incorrigible. Daemon could think of several others, and had heard them all from her father, Dusan. The poor man almost didn't survive her teenage years, when she was fond of running wild over Nharkhava. She'd disappear for days with the help of her brothers, only to turn up at the home of one of the other witches in the coven.
Not that Paresha wasn't a good Queen. She was just as disciplined when it came to ruling her court as any of the others. But that wild streak…Mother Night he was glad Jaenelle Saetien never picked it up. He'd had his hands full enough with her without adding that in.
Luckily, the flow of newcomers paused for a little while. Everyone was standing in groups, talking excitedly amongst one another. It was damn near deafening.
"I remember the last time the Hall felt like this," Lucivar whispered beside him. "It hasn't been this way since Cat ruled Askavi."
The similarities weren't lost on Daemon, triggering thoughts about the webs he'd woven a few months ago. Warnings, death and an eerie feeling that something was coming. And now Queens were gathering in the Hall again. All here to see Lilith, who just happened to bring back his lost son from Draega.
Lost, he thought with a jolt. The Lost Dreamer.
How could he not have seen it when they first arrived? Tersa told him to ask the Lost Dreamer about the Weaver and her web. About Lilith. Daemon should have realized that the second she revealed that she was a Black Widow. When he'd been with Lilith in the study, he'd almost put it together, but the connection had been just out of reach.
Daemon wished he'd had this epiphany sooner. With the Queens and the Boyos here, it was going to be next to impossible to ask Alex what he knew of the Weaver. But he was damn well going to try his best.
"Papa?"
He heard Jaenelle Saetien's voice piercing through his thoughts, bringing him back to the situation at hand.
"Witch-child"
"I'll settle things with Helene-I promise."
"Did I truly look that worried?"
"Horrified is the word that comes readily to mind."
Well he was…just about something else.
"Well then, since you offered, you may certainly do all the explaining about our guests."
Which appeared to have increased in number while he had been thinking. Out of the corner of his eye, he caught sight of two silver-blonde heads near the back. That would be Adrienne and Jourdain from Dea al Mon. But next to them were two others he'd missed somehow.
Katerin and Hugh from Amdarh.
Nearly every non-Kindred Territory in Kaeleer was represented in the assembled group. An alarming thought struck him.
*Witch-child?*
Jaenelle slanted a look at him, still in conversation with Adrienne.
*Papa?*
*We're not expecting any of the Kindred, are we?*
*Expecting?* She paused, thoughtful. *No, not really*
That answer did not cure his uneasiness, so he tried again.
*Should we expect any of the Kindred?*
*Maybe*
If the coven and boyos hadn't been between him and the hallway to his study, Daemon may have made a run for it right then. But they were, so he stayed where he was and tried not to picture a Unicorn or a Fyreborn dragon appearing on the lawn tomorrow morning. So he focused on what he had to deal with now to distract himself.
Six Queens accompanied by eight Boyos- most of them Princes or Warlord Princes. The eerie feeling closed in on him again. Seeing them all together in this way stripped away what he hadn't noticed in all these years.
Jaenelle and Lilith had been friends with each of them all for a decade or longer. For Katerin and Hugh, even longer than that. Daemon hadn't recognized how significant those friendships were when scattered over the Realm. But all in one place together…it meant something. He was sure of it.
Just then, Charlotte glanced around the room and spoke up over the cacophony of excited voices.
"Hey, 'Nelle, I think we're missing someone."
"If I'm to believe what I heard, we're missing two someones," Adrienne countered.
"Did you forget to invite the guests of honor?"
An uncertain look flashed across his daughter's face for a split second. Lilith had disappeared during breakfast and hadn't been seen since. She could be anywhere in the Hall. All that mattered was that she wasn't here.
"Well…"
"Invite? Oh I think not," Lilith corrected from the stairs behind them. "I'm pretty sure 'Nelle insisted."
Everyone spun around- Daemon included. She stood alone, Alex nowhere to be seen. Maybe that was for the best, since she looked a lot more…approachable…than she had this morning. Still not completely normal, though. Daemon could see remnants of that cold rage lurking behind the easy smile.
He'd asked Lucivar more about the training session after breakfast. What his brother had told him had been chilling. She'd almost killed his niece. With a practice stick, no less. It had shaken Lucivar up enough that he'd lost some of that Eyrien arrogance of his when he'd recounted the details. Jaenelle had told the truth; Lilith was dangerous, even to them.
As if I needed any more reason to dread calling her back into my study, Daemon thought sourly. What in the name of Hell did Alex say to stir up that much rage?
But for the moment, it seemed Lilith was willing to bury that rage. They'd see how long that lasted once Alex arrived.
"Well, if insisting is the only way to get you to make an appearance, I'm right there with her. You were gone waaaaay too long this time."
"Hmmm…that seems to be the prevailing opinion around here."
With that, Lilith descended the stairs to join the group. His eyes followed her as she wandered through the various groups. She laughed and joined conversation, although maybe not quite as animated as everyone else was. No one seemed to notice if she was slightly distant, too focused on other things to see it. He did, though.
Before long, they all disappeared to another part of the Hall. It was just the three of them left.
"Well that could have gone worse," Surreal said with a shrug.
Daemon looked at his wife as if she'd grown a second head. He gestured in the direction they'd gone, presumably up to the family wing of the Hall.
"Did you not see them- couldn't have gone worse?"
"Jaenelle could have just let them show up without any warning."
"She wouldn't dare," Daemon insisted, hoping he sounded a lot more certain than he felt. "Anyway, I wouldn't celebrate just yet. Give it a week or so and then we'll see."
"Six Queens," Lucivar pointed out. "That is going to be a much bigger challenge for the Boyo to handle. Three was going to be difficult enough."
He was right. And if Alex lost control of his rage, he'd destroy them. Not just them. Right now Charlotte was the only one who'd taken on duties as a Territory Queen, but the others weren't far behind her. Alex could wipe out an entire generation, leaving those territories without a strong ruling Queen. Kaeleer would be devastated, taking decades to recover.
It could tear the whole Realm apart.
"She'd better know what she's doing," he muttered to himself.
"What was that?"
"Jaenelle Saetien. She'd better be sure that this was the right idea."
"Shall we go find a place to hide for the rest of the evening? I don't know about you, but this is one reunion I'd like to avoid."
"I'm headed back to Ebon Rih for the night," Lucivar replied with a laugh. "Won't probably be back for a day or two."
"You're really going to leave me to deal with them on my own."
"The way I see it, treat them like we did Cat's coven and the boyos. Better yet, how father would treat them. You'll survive it, old son."
He was already halfway out the door before finishing that last sentence. Daemon didn't have time to argue before he was gone.
"The Prick" he snarled.
"And you expected anything else because?"
"I don't know. I really don't."
They looked at one another for a minute or two.
"Sooo…to the study?" she suggested.
"Definitely."
4/Kaeleer
While he'd been talking with the cats, more Queens had arrived. Mother Night, six of them. Here in the Hall. Even in Meredith's courts he'd never had to deal with that many all together. Not to mention so many Warlords and Warlord Princes. From what he could tell, most of them wore dark Jewels. Rank Jewels rarely lighter than Purple Dusk.
That's a lot of power in that room, he thought to himself. Probably more than in all of Draega.
He let that thought go and picked up their discussion about types of humans.
*You said they belong to you as your humans?*
*They belong to the Lady*
*Does she know that?*
*No*
He figured as much, not surprised. And speaking of the Lady, it looked like Lilith had finally arrived. Alex watched the reactions of the Queens and their escorts- especially the latter. The cats were right; they belonged to her.
That did not sit well with Alex. Not one bit. His rage at the Queens shifted- sharpened- focused on every male in the room. If any one of them so much as touched Lilith, he was prepared to unleash it.
*They are not rivals* Haedyn growled at him. *Not in that way*
Alex was distracted enough that the rage slid away from him. A little.
*What way?*
The cats exchanged another look. This time it seemed exasperated.
*They do not want to be the Lady's mate*
Aw shit. If Haedyn and Taenne could tell that much, Lucivar definitely could. And likely told Daemon Sadi by now. Wasn't that wonderful?
There was nothing he could say to convince the cats they were mistaken. So he said the only thing he could to protect himself.
*You can't tell Lilith about that*
*Why not?* Taenne queried in confusion. *Can't be mates if the Lady doesn't know*
*We wouldn't be mates even if she does. She doesn't want to be mates and that's all there is to it*
*Said no?*
They just would not let this go. Alex was beginning to believe Lilith about how stubborn the Kindred could be.
*Well, no, she didn't. But* he continued when Taenne was about to interrupt him *Lilith has said plenty that gives me the distinct impression that she is not interested*
Another glance flickered between the cats. Why did they keep doing that? What in the name of Darkness were they thinking when they did it? Alex found himself caught between wanting to know and not wanting to. But in the end, they dropped the subject. For today.
Alex refocused on what was going on with the visitors who'd all come to see Lilith. They had missed her. Adored her. As much as it grated on his nerves to see other Princes and Warlord Princes so close to her, he couldn't deny that they all belonged to her in a way he was just starting to understand. How could she not see it for herself?
The nightmares.
*She doesn't want to know that they belong to her- does she?*
*No* Haedyn replied sadly. *Too afraid*
*If she wasn't, what would happen?*
*Become Queen of Ebon Askavi*
*She'd rule all of Kaeleer, wouldn't she*
Taenne gave him an amused look.
*Already rules Kaeleer*
Fair point. And a terrifying one.
If he thought the other Queens had been powerful, they were nothing compared to Lilith. Because she didn't just rule Kaeleer. She had Terreille, too. Or she would before long. It was too much for one person alone in his opinion. Dangerous- for them and for her. The cats seemed to pick up on the direction of his thoughts.
*Same Lady* Haedyn said.
*What?*
*Lady is same- not different when Queen*
*Power always changes someone* he countered.
*Not the Lady*
Alex wished he could be as certain. He'd seen what absolute power had done in Hayll over the last six hundred years. Granted, Lilith wasn't Meredith, but the lure to misuse that power might be too much. Even for her.
*I'll believe it when I see it*
Perhaps he should have thought that remark through before sending it. Right now, Haedyn and Taenne were his closest allies in SaDiablo Hall. He couldn't afford to piss them off. Not if he expected to face those Queens. Or Lilith.
Neither cat said anything at first. Eventually, Taenne answered him.
*Lady doesn't change- won't let her change*
*Who won't?*
The cat's eyes swept meaningfully over the group in the great hall, and then over the three of them. He said nothing more. Didn't have to. Alex had nothing to say, either, and turned back to the gathering. It looked as though they were headed upstairs to get settled. Alex couldn't bring himself to go out and join them. Not yet.
Somehow, Lilith managed to be the last to ascend. She turned slightly- just enough that he knew she was looking at his hiding spot. Of course she'd known the whole time he'd been there. What was she going to do?
*We're going to the sitting room for the rest of the evening. If this is too much, you should avoid the family wing of the Hall and I'll work something out with 'Nelle starting tomorrow* she sent on an Ebon-Black thread.
While not exactly friendly, Lilith's tone was worlds better than it had been since yesterday.
*Six at once is too many* he admitted honestly after a pause.
*I would agree*
*Will 'Nelle understand if I don't show up?*
*I'll see that she does, Prince*
With that, she severed the link and followed the others upstairs. Daemon Sadi, Surreal and Lucivar must not have noticed the exchange. They were talking amongst themselves. Shortly after that they were gone, too, leaving just him and the cats.
*What did the Lady say?* Taenne wanted to know.
*Pretty much what I already knew- there's no way I'm throwing myself into that group tonight. Unless I want someone to die*
*The Lady would not let that happen*
*She would do her best, no doubt, but it may not be enough to stop me*
They looked away suddenly, as if trying to avoid telling him something. Alex decided for today, he didn't want to know what it was. He'd already seen more than he was ready to handle.
*In any case, it looks like I've got a long evening ahead*
*Perfect time to train while the Lady is busy*
Alex resisted the urge to sigh. Though he was glad the cats didn't hate him, having them this interested in him was a mixed blessing. The Scelties might have been easier to deal with, if he had a choice. At least if he told them no, they didn't have him out matched by a thousand pounds of fury. So instead of arguing, he got up and followed the cats out of the room.
5/Kaeleer
'Nelle couldn't believe how many of their friends were here in the Hall. She'd only meant to invite a few this week. Just enough to give her little brother practice with real Queens. Not to mention to keep him away from Lilith for a while. Of course, that plan only worked if Alex actually showed up to meet everyone.
Which he hadn't, she thought with a frown.
*What's the matter?* Lilith asked on a private thread.
*I was hoping that my brother would be here*
*He can't, 'Nelle. Not all at once like this. It's asking too much of him*
*So sure he couldn't handle it, are you?*
*He told me* she said with a reluctant sigh.
You actually spoke to one another? 'Nelle was beyond surprised. As far as she figured, Lilith had no intentions of talking to Alex in the near- or distant- future.
*Say what?*
*When we were downstairs*
*He was there the whole time, wasn't he?*
*I expect so. Smartest way to tell how he'd react*
*So he said he's not coming?*
*He's not coming. I'd recommend finding ways to introduce the Prince by degrees or things will get ugly, fast*
*You think he could kill one of them*
*No…well yes, he could…but I'll take care of that so long as no one does anything really stupid*
*And we'd consider what by 'really stupid'?*
*Anything that might be interpreted as an invitation- you know the kind I mean*
'Nelle certainly did. The kind of invitation she wondered if her friend may have made in Draega. Or perhaps Alex had made to her. But that look was getting into Lilith's eyes again, and 'Nelle thought better of asking about it. One of these days she'd wear her friend down. That day was not today.
*What are you going to do- keep constant watch over Alex when he's around the Queens?*
Judging by the look on her face, not so much.
*That won't be necessary* she said at last.
*Then how…*
*I'll figure it out. Best if you don't know the details, anyways. There's no sense in us both getting in trouble over it if your father finds out*
*You're right. I don't want to know*
With that, the subject was dropped, and 'Nelle turned her attention back to all of their friends. By now, everyone had dumped all their things in their suites, and was gathering in the sitting room. Unlikely anyone would be seeing those suites anytime soon. They'd never been all together like this before, and were going to make the most of it.
Charlotte plunked down into the chair next to 'Nelle and sighed heavily.
"That was a long journey, Sisters, and I'll have you know I don't intend to make the return trip anytime soon."
"Perfect. I don't mind one bit."
"Mmm…I can't say the same is true about your Papa. He seemed fair green with the idea we'd all be here in the Hall."
"He'll get used to the idea."
"I'll believe that when your uncle sleeps through a sunrise."
"So…never," Lukas quipped.
"Pretty much," Titian agreed.
Conversation paused for a minute or two before anyone was willing to ask the big question. 'Nelle tried to guess who it might be. Charlotte or Adrienne would be her first picks, being the most out-spoken. Maybe Maureen.
She was wrong, on all counts.
"Soooo…speaking of extended visits," Rordan began. "We all heard you just came back from three months in Hayll."
Lilith found a chair of her own, sitting cross-legged as she usually did. She brushed back a chunk of hair that had fallen over her face and gave a shrug.
"You heard right."
"Alone," he emphasized.
"Yes, alone."
'Nelle saw the boyos gearing up for an argument. None of them were happy to hear that answer. Jourdain was the first to voice that opinion, no surprise.
"You shouldn't have done that- not without taking an escort with you."
"And who would I risk?" Lilith shot back. "Meredith and her Queens are torturing and killing Blood males all over Hayll. Bringing one with me is far more dangerous for one of you than going alone is for me."
"We can handle ourselves," he argued stubbornly.
'Nelle was sorry that she had to agree with Lilith. Although it scared her to let her friend go into Draega alone, she understood the risks were far worse if she took anyone with her. Knowing Lilith, she'd be too distracted about keeping the boyos safe to get anything done. No, they had to stay here in Kaeleer.
"Prince," Lilith spoke warningly.
'Nelle heard it- that tone that crept in when she was about to lay down her decision and expected no one to argue with her about it.
"If they could chain the Ebon-Black, then I can only imagine what they would do to any one of you. I refuse to find out."
A hush fell over the room. Sufficiently stripped of his argument, Jourdain scowled at his boots. But the room wasn't quiet for long. Lilith's comment shifted the topic, now taken up by Heather.
"It's true, then," she prompted, fiddling with the end of her braid. "Daemon Sadi's son…you brought him back from Draega."
"Well I certainly wasn't going to leave the Prince there once I found him, was I?"
"No, I guess not. What were you doing in Meredith's court, anyway?"
"Taking care of unfinished business."
Heather and Charlotte exchanged an exasperated look.
"That's awful vague, you know."
"Deliberately so," Lilith replied cheerfully. She shook her head at them. "I really can't tell you."
"Why not?"
"Let me put it this way. When Lucivar comes back to the Hall to drill us in the mornings- and you know he will- how do you want to spend them? Would you rather have an easier time of it? Or would you rather have a secret he'll push you to reveal?"
Neither Charlotte nor Heather looked too thrilled about that idea. Nor was anyone else. And having experienced three months of the latter had given 'Nelle an appreciation for those times when Lilith kept things to herself.
"So he doesn't know yet?"
"Nope."
'Nelle caught the hesitation and a flicker of doubt before Lilith answered. What had her friend said that made her uncertain, and to who? She bet it had something to do with the discussion she had with Papa in the study a few days ago. He must have cornered her into answering something about what she'd been up to.
"Yeah…I don't want to be next in line for that," Adrienne muttered. "So I'm going to pretend no one asked that question."
"That's what I was planning to do."
They were talking for some time when 'Nelle heard a knock at the door. It was Beale, ushering in trays from the kitchen. As everyone scrambled for the food, he stopped in front of her.
"Lady Jaenelle- this arrived by messenger this evening. From the Keep."
"Thank you, Beale," she said as she accepted the envelope.
He slipped out of the sitting room before half the snacks had been claimed. 'Nelle was far more interested in the mysterious message than she was about food. She turned it over and glanced at the seal.
Draca.
The Keep's Seneschal had sent her a message. Never had that happen before. Best to open it and find out what it was about. 'Nelle broke the seal and began to read. As she made her way through the letter, she kept glancing at Lilith. Likewise, her friend stared back. When she'd finished, 'Nelle folded the letter in her lap and tried to remain calm.
"Something wrong?" Katerin queried. "You look like you just got a terrible shock."
A lie was tempting. She wanted to ask Lilith about the things she'd read in private. But at the same time, 'Nelle felt the others deserved to hear it, too. The hell with it- she'd just ask.
"I did, actually." She rounded on her friend. "Is there some reason why Claudia would think you were murdered by Meredith's coven?"
At first, her friend said nothing. Everyone had stopped whatever they were doing- talking, eating…all forgotten while they waited for her reply.
"There might be," Lilith admitted at last. "Although I'm surprised to hear that she's aware of that detail."
"She said two Hayllian witches from Meredith's coven arrived in Dhemlan a few weeks ago, and she heard the story from them. One of them claims to have seen your mangled, bloody corpse."
Among other things, 'Nelle thought to herself. But one step at a time.
"That would have been my Shadow. Obviously, I'm not dead."
"What the hell did you do to it? Claudia says the witch who described what she saw was practically in hysterics."
"I didn't do a damn thing to it," Lilith protested, gesturing at herself. "Although I offered to. But if you want to find out the details, you'd have to ask the Prince."
"Alex," 'Nelle gasped. "You told him to…"
"Convince Meredith I was dead," Lilith finished for her. "Think about it, 'Nelle. It was the best way to make sure she didn't come looking for me again. Sounds like he succeeded in my request."
Several of their friends were muttering prayers- or curses- under their breath. Teodaer was nodding slowly, though.
"It was a wise plan," he spoke up. "I would have suggested the same thing. Well, I would have suggested you not go in the first place," he amended. "But if you were dead set on going, that'd be one of my next ideas."
"Still…very gruesome, Lilith," Paresha said, making a face. "Did you stick around to watch?"
"Oh stop it," Heather pleaded. "Or I'm gonna barf."
"Claudia's more than a little distraught," 'Nelle pointed out, trying to get back on topic.
"I'll get her a Sceltie to apologize."
"I thought you were trying to improve her mood, not make her angrier."
With that, everyone started laughing. All part of Lilith's plan, of course. Just like that. Thwarted. Maureen was giving suggestions on what pick of her latest litter would make a good present. 'Nelle swallowed her annoyance and let the subject go. It'd have to be a private conversation after all.
*So how exactly do two witches from Meredith's coven get into Dhemlan Terreille and into Claudia's court?* Lilith sent on a Red distaff thread. *Does she say?*
*Oh yes, Lilith. Claudia had much to say*
Her friend weighed that reply and studied her intently before saying anything.
*I sense it's something you're going to want to discuss*
*You bet I do. I have questions of my own I want answered*
*All right, all right. When we can get a minute, we'll talk*
*I'll hold you to it*
Lilith broke the connection, and 'Nelle could sense her wariness. Good. She should be. When that minute came, there was one thing she wanted to know first. 'Nelle doubted her friend was going to like the question. But she had to know the truth. Because Claudia wrote that the witches told her Lilith had been heavily dosed with safframate, and then was left alone with Alex in his suite.
Please don't let it be true, she whispered to the Darkness. Don't let it be true.