Page 28 of A Storm in Every Heart
“I’m going with you,” I say indignantly. “You can’t keep me out. There’s absolutely no reason I shouldn’t be in a meeting that’saboutme, and since Alix isn’t here, she’ll want?—”
“Calm down,” Daemon puts a hand up to stop me. “I was going to say you should come with us, but fuck, if you’re going to bite my head off…”
“Oh.” The back of my neck heats. “Yes, well…I agree. I’m just going to change first.”
Kastian glances at me, then turns to Daemon. “I’m coming too.”
Immediately the table erupts in protests.
“I don’t think that’s a good idea, mate,” Jett says.
“That’s fucking stupid,” Fox grumbles.
Aurelia glowers. “If I have to hide, then you certainly should?—”
“Enough!” Kastian barks, his eyes still locked on Daemon. “I’m not asking your permission, Daemon. This isn’t a request.”
Rather than rising to challenge him back, Daemon just cocks his head in amusement. “Fine. After you then,Your Majesty.”
“Don’t call me that,” Kastian snaps.
Daemon keeps grinning. “Well, if you’re not asking permission, then what would you like to be called,my liege?”
Kastian says something venomous back, but I don’t catch it as I’m already halfway out of the room.
Twenty minutes later, we gather in the sitting room off the entrance hall.
I’m slightly out of breath, having sprinted up three flights of stairs to my room. As a child, I deliberately chose the most secluded bedroom, farthest from my family and the servants. I regret that now because it’s such a chore to climb all the way to my room and fight my way through my messy wardrobe all because I wished to look more presentable. I wish I hadn’t bothered. I’m afraid I’m going to burst through the seams of my silk gown from all my heavy breathing.
The manor doesn’t have anything resembling the grand throne room at the winter palace, but since Daemon and Alix don’t keep every noble in the kingdom close by, they hardly need one.
Except in moments like this.
As I step into the cozy sitting room, I find myself wishing we were standing at the front of a long, imposing room where the emissary would have to walk toward us past hundreds of judgmental courtiers. If only for the spectacle.
Daemon settles into a high-backed blue and gold armchair. An identical chair stands empty beside him where Alix would usually sit. The rest of the furniture has been rearranged, so the rest of us are forced to stand gathered around the makeshift thrones.
I take my place behind Alix’s empty chair, fighting the temptation to rest my elbows on its back.
Jett and Fox position themselves on either side of the two armchairs. Fox, as usual, is in his blue military jacket. Jett nowwears a similar jacket that seems hastily borrowed and slightly tight around the shoulders. Finally, Kastian comes and stands beside me—for once, I don’t say anything about it. Although I’d rather he kept his distance, I’m not an idiot. This little tableau is as much about projecting power and unity as anything else.
Outside in the hall, the front door opens, and we hear one of the servants greeting the visitor.
“Fox,” Daemon mumbles under his breath.
Without a word, Fox crosses the room and exits into the hall to escort the emissary. We listen in tense silence as a male voice greets Fox. As usual, Fox makes no reply.
“You could have sent anyone else,” I mutter.
“No, anyone else would have made the emissary think he’s welcome here. He’s not,” Daemon hisses back.
Fox reenters the room, guiding a short, plump man in his wake. The man’s balding head glistens under the light, accentuating his unattractive features. His skin carries a slightly grayish hue, and his overlarge ears are pointed and sharp.
I squint, attempting to figure out his species. Ellender is primarily inhabited by Fae, but other beings and hybrids are relatively common—I’m a perfect example of that. If I had to make a guess, I would say the emissary is part-Fae, but the other part is unclear. I’m tempted to guess “troll,” though it seems impolite, even in my own head.
“Your Majesty,” the troll-like man says, falling into a deep bow. “It’s an honor to meet you.”
Daemon gives a grunt of acknowledgement and shifts in his seat, obviously uncomfortable.
