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Konstantina acknowledged Cassia with a nod over her coffee. “It is the foremost duty of every son and daughter of the royal bloodline to pass on the Queens’ undiluted power to as many new Hesperines as possible. That is why we have the unique status of royal firstbloods, so we may each found a bloodline of our own and increase the Queens’ legacy to their people.”
Cassia saw an opportunity to cultivate common ground. “You would naturally wish to pass on your parents’ power and lineage, and with it, your family’s wisdom and traditions.”
“Our inheritance from our mothers must not be squandered,” the princess replied. “Seven of the eight Ritual firstbloods who, thanks to Hespera’s generosity, created our kind, are lost to the world forever. So too are my mother Soteira’s clan, along with their knowledge and magic. My mothers’ legacy must be preserved through us.”
Cassia nodded. “I am sure any mortal, whether of humble or elevated birth, can understand this imperative. Our farmers pray for many children, as our lords strive to found lasting bloodlines. What could be more precious to human or Hesperine than family?”
Konstantina swiveled her gaze to Benedict. “Perhaps I can aid your understanding. Every scholar is first a student, second a teacher, before anything else.”
“How gracious of you to enlighten our guests in their own tongue,” Lio put in.
“You have done well as a translator,” Konstantina told him, “but when there are no mages between my guests and myself, Vulgus is an effective language of discourse.”
Lio bowed to the princess once more. “You learned Vulgus on Annassa Alea’s knee along with Divine, as you learned the tongues of the Empire from Annassa Soteira. Your words elevate any language you choose for your discourse.”
A hint of a smile appeared at the corners of the princess’s mouth.
Benedict bowed again. “Your great scholarship is wasted on us, Second Princess. You need not expend your energy on a lesson.”
“But you and your countrymen are all curiosity tonight. I have heard questions among your peers as to how the transfer of royal power is achieved, and whether the Queens’ children are, in fact, their children.”
Benedict cleared his throat. “I advised the lords and the other knights not to pry into your affairs, Second Princess.”
“That would be a well-intentioned sentiment, if it were not a disguise for your discomfort. Your questions would be welcome, if they represented a desire to learn. Nevertheless, you find yourself in a house of knowledge and debate. I will answer.”
Her exchange with the knight had drawn an audience that comprised most of the embassy. Callen and Perita moved closer to Cassia, as if to accommodate the crowd, and she knew they had her back.
But Cassia would not come to Benedict’s defense this time. He had made himself the princess’s target, and Cassia would not shield him. After the Tenebran men’s impudent and sometimes disgusting speculations all night, Cassia would not stand in Konstantina’s way, however the princess wished to respond. In fact, Cassia would relish watching Konstantina set the record straight.
The princess took a step closer to Benedict. “The Queens have loved, taught, and protected every one of their children.Thatis what makes us theirs.”
“Of course, Second Princess. I am certain they are, ah, most devoted mothers.”
Cassia watched Benedict try to fit the Queens and their daughter into one of his two or three categories for women. It was written all over him that his attempt was a failure.
Konstantina gave the knight a smile truly worthy of a princess, one with fangs. “That said, allow me to reassure you we are of the Queens’ own blood. When we were infants in their arms, they fed us from their fingers.” She held up one finger. “Then, when we grew teeth, from their wrists.” With mesmerizing grace, she turned her hand over to expose her wrist.
Benedict looked away, sweating. Was it the mention of drinking blood or the sight of a woman’s wrist that put his underlinens in a twist over the fate of his soul?
Konstantina took a step closer, Benedict a step back.
“Now we are grown,” said the princess, “and we would shed every last drop of our blood for our children—or for our mothers, who gave all of us life. That is how parenthood works in Orthros. Is it any different in your kingdom?”
Inwardly, Cassia winced. That question would certainly strike at Benedict’s heart.
He bowed again, this time to cover a long silence. “Tenebrans shed blood for many reasons, but alas, not always for the sake of their children. Would that our parents always fulfilled their sacred obligations.”
“Your grief runs in my veins,” said Konstantina. “Children should never bear the failures of their elders. When anyone’s child suffers, we all have cause for sorrow.”
“I cannot disagree.”
Konstantina raised her glass slightly. Benedict lowered his gaze.
The princess turned. “Lady Cassia, walk with me in my garden.”
To that abrupt invitation, there could be only one answer. “I would be honored, Second Princess.”
Konstantina quelled Cassia’s escort with a glance. They dropped behind Cassia to let her walk at the princess’s side across the tiled hall, and Lio followed behind Konstantina. The princess’s family members parted to make way, and certain members of the embassy attached themselves to Cassia’s retinue.
