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“Welcome back, my Blackwater friends.”
“Thank you for having us again, your majesty,” Maeve says, giving a slight bow. “Will we be seeing Beatrix tonight?”
“Ah, if only. I was unaware that tonight is the night Beatrix hunts for food and berries. She does it once a week—it’s a Mythic thing, so she won’t be home until tomorrow night, I’m afraid.”
“Oi, I’m not sure if we have that much time,” Maeve sighs. “Is there any way you can request for her to come back sooner?”
“I try not to disrupt Beatrix during her hunting.” Alora walks down the golden steps from her throne. “As a Mythic, hunting is how she restores her energy. You know how it is for them—theystick to their old ways. If she does her hunting unbothered, she’ll be more inclined to see us tomorrow.”
“Are we to stay here again, then?” Juniper asks, looking around.
“I would prefer it. I apologize, but after what happened in Iron Class last time, I’ll need everyone from Blackwater to remain in the palace.”
“Understandable.” Maeve eyes Juniper. “Is that understood, Juniper?”
“Fine,” Juniper mutters.
“Shall we break open some wine, then?” Alora’s eyes light up.
She leads us to one of the balconies on the second floor. Tables that face the ocean are set up, fairy lights draped from column to column, and a bar is already set up with drinks. A man in a gold suit stands behind it, prepping glasses, and ready to serve. Juniper and Maeve go straight for the bar, and Rowan slumps down in a chair, sighing as he rests the back of his head on it.
I take a seat at the table closest to the edge of the balcony, with the best view of the water. I attempt to tap in with Caz, but all my words bounce back. He’s blocking me out right now, which means he’s probably with The Council. He did say he’d have to block me once he was in Luxor. He doesn’t trust them with his thoughts and doesn’t want them knowing about our Tether. The people of Luxor are different, so I’ve been told. They’re much more calculating.
Alora has a small band come to the balcony to play music. The band’s instruments consist of a harp, a violin, and something that looks like a guitar, but is much wider and has way more strings. It’s nice outside, a warm, gentle breeze going, and a part of me wishes Caz were here too. I hope he’s okay.
“Let me guess,” Juniper says, turning a chair backwards and sitting on it. There’s a drink in her hand and goofy smile on her face, like she’s already tipsy. “You’re thinking about Caz.”
I fight a smile. “Is it that obvious?”
“I assure you, he’s fine. If anyone can handle The Council, it’s him.”
“They sound like scary people.”
“Hmm…they can be. But only when you cross them. They normally like keeping the peace, but of course there are the few who don’t care about that, so The Council handles them.”
“Handles them how?”
“Depends. Sometimes a person is sent to The Trench, which is basically a wasteland. Other times, The Council will just end you themselves, if it’s a crime punishable enough. One of the main rules of Vakeeli from The Council revolves around children. If someone hurts a child, they kill them, plain and simple. There is no trial or anything—they just end you.”
“Oh.” I press my lips, and my eyes travel to Alora, who is dancing between the tables with Proll. Proll has his hand on her waist in a protective way. I tilt my head. That isnotthe touch of two people dancing for fun. I study them as they waltz, how their eyes link, the way Proll keeps her close and buries his large fingers into her slim waist. She’s completely relaxed in his arms.
“Wait a minute. Is the queen sleeping with her guard?” I ask softly, and Juniper looks over her shoulder.
“Oh, yeah. She’s been sleeping with him for ages.”
“Wow.” I continue watching them. Proll tips Alora backwards, and she releases a harmonious laugh before being reeled back up like she’s the weight of a feather.
“Alora’s had her fair share of men,” Juniper proclaims.
“Really? It seems she wouldn’t bother with any since she’s so powerful.”
“Well, she’s very picky about who she sleeps with. The men normally work for her in the palace, or they’re monarchs themselves. I’ve heard she’s even slept with Mythics.”
“Monarchs?” I ask. That catches me off guard, and Juniper locks eyes with me briefly before gulping the rest of her drink.
“Shit. I’ve said too much, haven’t I?”
“No, tell me what you mean. Which monarch has she slept with?”
