Chapter 34

Chapter 34

" I ntroducing the Lady Madeline and her consort, of the second octant."

The herald's voice boomed across the massive room, amplified by her Air magic, and following their introduction, Lady Madeline swept into the room in a crimson and gold gown, a male in matching attire on her arm.

The couple stopped before the dais, bowing to the Queen, and wished her a joyous Solstice. Queen Edelin accepted their greetings with a regal nod, as she had with all the guests so far, and waved them away, bidding them to join the party.

Fey was pleased to learn the Princess had been given leave to enjoy the ball, and for the first year since Fey had become a Queen's Blade, Princess Amalia would not be forced to join her mother on the dais, accepting thanks and welcoming guests. Fey couldn't see her in the crowd, but she hoped the Princess was finally getting to mingle with other children her age, for once.

Queen Edelin, of course, would not be joining in the festivities. She would sit on her throne the entire night, as she did each Solstice, welcoming guests as they arrived and watching over the Solstice Ball in the bored and haughty manner befitting a Queen.

All four Queen's Blades stood behind her, two at each shoulder. Far enough back to give her space for private conversation, but close enough to make most guests nervous. Dameon, captain of her Guard, stood at the foot of the dais, his hand on the hilt of the sword at his waist.

"Introducing Lord and Lady Roberts, and their consort Desdemona, of the Eternal City," The herald announced, and three more guests entered and approached the Queen, bowing formally and offering pleasantries.

"Their consort is a Shifter," Lilith whispered, loud enough for her sisters to hear, but just quiet enough to evade the Queen's sharp ears and Dameon's notice. It was an art they had practiced for just such an occasion. Lilith, somehow, knew all the gossip in the realm and dished it out like small, tasty treats to them throughout the Winter Ball. It was the one royal event she seemed required to attend, the only one she never seemed to be otherwise occupied for. " All of their past consorts have been Shifters."

"They must have a type," Joy said, her voice barely audible over the din of the party.

"Oh, they do, a very specific type," Lilith answered. Her voice dropped even lower, the sign of juicy gossip. "I've heard they like to be hunted . And that pretty Lioness at their side is more than happy to oblige."

Willow stifled a laugh, and Lilith twerked her eyebrows at her suggestively.

"Have you ever been hunted, Lilith?" Fey asked.

"Once or twice," she answered with a casual but barely perceptible shrug. "I can't say I'm a fan. I'd rather be tied up. Less cardio."

Another giggle from Willow, and even Fey couldn't help but smile behind her mask.

Goddess above and below, Fey had missed this. Missed spending time with her sisters, missed the easy flow of conversation between the four of them.

"Look," whispered Joy. "It's the other Queen."

And sure enough, there she was—the Queen's twin sister, Cassandra. She entered before she was even formally announced, her head held high, raven black hair piled on her head in an intricate braid. Unlike other guests, she didn't wear a ball gown or expensive suit, adorning herself instead in the pure white robes of the White Priestesses.

"Introducing High Priestess Cassandra, head of the White Coven and of royal blood," the herald announced, but Cassandra had already started toward the dais. Ignoring Dameon entirely, she climbed the few steps to the Queen, coming to a stop directly in front of her sister. She spoke to her in a hushed voice, low enough Fey couldn't hear what was being said.

Cassandra seemed worried, her brows drawn together as she spoke, but Queen Edelin's expression never changed. She nodded to her sister and said with a finality that made it clear the conversation was finished.

"We will look into it," she said, motioning Dameon to join them on the dais. "Give the Captain of my Guard the details, and we will send someone to investigate. Go."

Cassandra bowed, and Dameon escorted her out of the ballroom, his hand on her elbow and the two of them speaking in low voices.

"She has a daughter, you know," Lilith told her sisters, waiting until the hem of Cassandra's long white robe vanished out the door before speaking.

"No!" Joy squealed.

"Oh yes," Lilith confirmed. "Years before Princess Amalia was born. It was quite the scandal—a White Priestess, pregnant with a potential heir to the throne? The realm was in shambles over it."

"What happened?" Fey asked.

Lilith shrugged. "She wasn't Goddess blessed, was she? Her Awakening came and went, and she couldn't wield all four elements. And by then the Queen had a girl of her own, so… I guess everyone just forgot about her."

"That's so sad," Willow said.

"That's life, little sister," Lilith said, then her eyes focused on a new target. "Oh! Wait until you hear about them ," she crooned, as another couple approached the dais, and Fey could feel her sisters practically buzzing with excitement.

Dameon returned shortly after, without Cassandra. But he made no move to recall them from the Queen's side, so whatever help the Queen's sister had requested wasn't important enough to require their expertise.

The evening sped by—hours passing quickly under the spell of Lilith's gossip. Even the Queen seemed to relax as the night went on, and Dameon eventually left his post at the base of the dais to come sit next to her, lounging on the Princess's throne. It was the first time Fey had ever seen them behave like this in public.

"Oh, you have got to be fucking kidding me," Lilith said, suddenly, her voice louder than before, loud enough to be overheard.

Fey followed her gaze to the entrance, and her mouth dropped open.

"Is that?" started Joy, and next to her, Willow started to laugh almost hysterically.

"Yes," snarled Fey, rage twisting her words. "Yes, it is."

"Introducing the Vampire Patriarch, Cassian Salvatore deSanguine," The herald announced. "And his eldest son, Alastair Salvatore, of the Eternal City."

The Vampire King was younger looking than he had any right to be at his age, though old enough that his once black hair had gone silver. He stood tall, his back straight in the way of royals, and at his side, dressed in the colors of the vampire royalty, was Alastair. Her Alastair.

"I told you we should have killed him," said Willow, between laughs.