Page 42 of Blood Feast

Twirling one of the black roses in her hand, Konsntantina paused to exchange a word with Xandra before coming over to Lio and Cassia. She lifted Cassia’s chin. “Ah, my newest immortal rosarian. Let me look at you.”

Cassia smiled, showing her fangs.

Konstantina gave her an arch smile in return. “Beautiful. Another bloom plucked from the mortal world to flourish in Hespera’s garden. We will accomplish great things together, my dear.”

“I think I have a new rose variety to present to the Circle of Rosarians,” Cassia said.

“So I see.” Konstantina held the black bloom to her nose. “These are the most fascinating conjuration. The concentration of blood magic in their petals is extraordinary. When I imagine how your Lustra magic will advance Hesperine botany in the centuries to come, the possibilities are thrilling.” Her fingers tightened on the flower almost imperceptibly. “My brother had best return you to me in one piece.”

Cassia’s wince shot through their Grace Union.I hate thinking that I’m the latest point of contention in Rudhira and Master Kona’s relationship.

If it wasn’t you,Lio consoled her,they would find something else to set off their epic sibling rivalry.

I suppose it’s inevitable, given how strong-Willed they both are—and how fiercely they love each other.

Cassia hesitated. “Thank you for your vote during my Gifting. You have my eternal gratitude.”

“Don’t make me regret endorsing the war.”

Cassia reached out to touch Konstantina’s hand with an air of beseeching her princess. “I hope Orthros will see our avowal ceremony as our promise not only to each other but to our people. We embrace our privileges and duties as the heirs of Blood Komnena. We will return to take our seats in the Firstblood Circle.”

“See that you do. I look forward to the debates we shall have, as much as the gardening lessons.”

Now, while Orthros’s great politician was feeling charitable toward Cassia, Lio took his opportunity. “Aunt Kona, I would be grateful for your advice on a legal question pertaining to our avowal.”

“Gladly,” she said. “I trust you and Cassia wish to have the full ceremony? No hasty, common-law admission of your bond before any convenient pair of ears outside the immediate family?”

“Of course not,” he assured her. “We will have the full eight witnesses each who will swear before the Queens that they have beheld the symptoms of our Craving. There is only one modification I hope to make, not for my own sake, but for Cassia’s. It regards our Ritual separation.”

“An ambitious undertaking, so soon after her Gifting.” For once, Konstantina gave Cassia a look devoid of subtext and full of genuine concern. “None of us doubt your fortitude, but we are worried for you.”

“So am I,” Lio said. “She already suffered so much as a mortal, as everyone who saw her illness can attest. If they were to bear witness to her Craving, would that satisfy the law and make a Ritual separation unnecessary?”

Surprise shot through Cassia’s aura.Lio, I don’t want there to be any doubt. I will honor the requirements.

Please, let me at least try to make this easier for you.

She squeezed his hand.

Konstantina pursed her lips. “That is a highly interesting legal question. The Ritual separation is defined as a period of eight nights in which the couple must abstain from one another’s blood, and a different witness must hold vigil with them each night to observe their symptoms. It is understood this can only take place if the pair are both Hesperines, as mortals do not hunger for blood.”

“But is that stated in the law?” Lio asked.

Konstantina shook her head. “No, but we have no precedent for what you are suggesting. The symptoms of Craving are not usually sufficiently evident in humans to prove the bond.”

A muscle twitched in Solia’s temple, the first sign she was less than supportive of the proceedings. “With respect, Second Princess, Cassia’s need for Lio was tragically evident even when she was mortal. After their separation in the Maaqul Desert, I carried her back to him myself. She was dying in my arms.”

“And Kella and I kept Cassia alive while they were apart,” Tendo spoke up.

“For which Orthros is grateful,” Konstantina said. “The question remains, however. How much of her symptoms were Craving and how much the result of her displaced magic?”

“I can attest to that.” Rudhira stepped closer to his sister, despite the tension simmering between them. “Using my power as a healer, I studied how she absorbed his magic. It’s true that her illness was caused not by Craving but by the Collector starving her of her magic. However, her aura would draw on no magic but Lio’s as a surrogate for her missing power. The unbreakable channeling between them, the way his power kept her alive—that was only possible because of their bond.”

Konstantina put a hand to her lips, considering. “That makes four witnesses to Cassia’s symptoms.”

Nike stepped forward. “I was there the night Rudhira and Annassa Soteira identified the arcane channeling occurring between Lio and Cassia.”

“So were we.” Lio’s mother held his father’s hand. “I was with her when she fell ill in the greenhouse, and Apollon helped her to Lio’s side.”

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