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She kept sneaking curious, fascinated glances at Lio. He wondered how much of his and Cassia’s secrets she knew or suspected.
“What are you doing here?” Cassia asked, shaking her head with a smile.
“Taking years off my life, that’s what.” Affectionate exasperation disrupted Lady Valentia’s composure. But she gathered herself and sank into a curtsy before Solia, and Genie followed her example. “Your Highness, I beg your forgiveness for our intrusion. Allow me to present Lady Eugenia of Segetia.”
Solia sat forward in her chair with an amused tilt to her mouth. “I’m happy to meet you, Lady Eugenia, provided you are not here to spy for my opponent.”
Genie replied with surprising dignity, “I am here to participate as best I can in these decisive political events. I will not sit at home while my brother and Sir Benedict treat me like a child. And I will not live in a Tenebra where I am treated like a child for the rest of my life.”
“Lord Flavian still has the authority to send you back home,” Lady Valentia reminded her. “Make your case, but do not try Princess Solia’s patience. If you will be so good as to hear out Lady Eugenia, Your Highness.”
“My door is open to all women of Tenebra, no matter their family or faction,” Solia replied.
Genie’s stubborn chin was set. “Your Highness, I am here to plead for a place in your retinue. If you will make me one of your ladies, it will rob Flavian of the power to banish me back to Segetia. And I shall sit with you in Council for all to see.”
Solia’s brows rose. “Your brother and Sir Benedict should not underestimate you. That is a compelling political bargain.”
Cassia returned to her seat. “It will certainly cause speculation that Flavian is less secure in his own domain’s support.”
Genie’s smile widened. “Not to mention make all the lords mock him for failing to control the women of his own house.”
Lio leaned against the mantle behind Cassia’s chair. Sunbind him, but he liked Genie. He would have a difficult time reminding himself he couldn’t trust her any farther than he could trust anyone else here.
“Are you certain?” There was a gentle warning in Solia’s tone. “This will put you in a position of conflicted loyalties.”
“I assure you, Your Highness, I can help you and my brother at the same time. Becoming king will make him miserable. And I know you are too good to ask me to do anything that would truly harm him. I will gladly strengthen your claim to the throne as much as I can.”
“Allow me a word with my advisers,” Solia said.
Lio cast a veil around her, Cassia, and himself.
“Well, she’s certainly a refreshing surprise,” Solia said. “What do you think?”
“We know the secret of her parentage,” Lio pointed out. “That may counterbalance any secrets she knows about us.”
Solia nodded. “We should be careful what we say in her presence, in case she is tempted to give her brother information. But in truth, this is far more likely to hurt his ambitions than mine.”
“I agree,” Cassia said. “Genie is clever and should not be underestimated, but I think in this case, her ambition is sincere. I suggest we accept her offer on one condition—that she join forces with Ben in trying to convince Flavian to end our betrothal.” Cassia looked to Lio. “If that’s all right with you.”
Lio hesitated, unwilling to embroil this bright girl in their conflicts with her brother. But he asked himself what Zoe would want, when she reached the Hesperine equivalent of Genie’s age. She would want to have her say, both in their family and the Firstblood Circle, and Orthros would never dismiss her voice. “I agree. We will enlist her as one of our allies in breaking the betrothal, like Eudias and Ariadne.”
He and Cassia shared a smile. At least this time, they agreed on a solution.
He dissolved his veil, and Solia said, “Lady Eugenia, I am delighted to welcome you into my retinue, if you will agree to support me in this—help us convince your brother to release my sister from their betrothal.”
“Oh, with pleasure, Your Highness.” Genie looked to Cassia, then Lio. “I’m one of the few people who can persuade him to do things he doesn’t wish to.”
Lio had no doubt she wielded the power of a little sister who had her doting brother wrapped around her finger. Perhaps this would be their salvation—one girl’s sisterly stubbornness.
“Rise,” Solia said, “and take your seat.”
Genie kissed Solia’s hand and all but bounced to her feet. Lio pulled up a chair for her.
She looked him up and down. “Well, Ambassador, you are an unusual rooster to find in the princess’s henhouse. I begin to see why my brother and Ben are being so insufferable about you.”
Lio suppressed a laugh. “Their concerns are unjustified, I assure you. I am here to keep all of you ladies safe.”
She lifted the fan tied at her waist on a ribbon and batted it in front of her face. “I’m sure all the ladies at Patria are most interested in your ‘protection.’ But one lady in particular, if my brother’s fuming is to be believed.”
