Page 74 of Queen Takes Triune
“Keisha Skye often complained that the Triune offices were in her city, but she had no access to them,” Gwen added.
Kevin grimaced. “Grandad prefers the west coast, but he does spend the majority of the year in the Triune’s New York City office, unless he’s traveling on Ceresa business.”
“Wow. I guess next time I’m in town I should see if he’d like to go to lunch.”
Kevin’s mouth hung open and it took him several tries to get the words out. “You’d… do… that?”
“Only if you’d go too. Don’t we need to maintain good relationships between our consiliari?” I gave a subtle tug on Itztli’s bond, and he immediately stepped forward to lay the wrapped mirror on my lap. “I have to make a quick call, but I don’t know how long it’ll be before she picks up.”
Bracing myself, I slipped the black velvet away from the mirror. I half expected to see Marne staring back at me, but the surface reflected my image back, just like a normal mirror. My wrist was still bleeding slightly, so I turned my arm over the glass and allowed a drop to plop onto the surface.
Instantly, the glass smoked over. Goosebumps flared down my arms and I shivered as power pulsed through the mirror so hard it vibrated on my thighs.
Gina’s phone rang. She looked down at the number and then raised her gaze to mine, a wry smile on her lips. “That was fast.” She answered the call, putting it on speaker. “This is Gina Isador.”
“Good evening, Gina. This is Byrnes Ceresa calling on official Triune business. House Isador is summoned to appear in court.”
Gina’s voice didn’t change as she replied, “Of course.” Though in her bond, I felt both terror and excitement. She’d never been to Triune court before, though evidently Grandma Paula had gone with my mother before. “Where should we appear?”
“Her Majesty Marne Ceresa summons Her Majesty Shara Isador to appear in her Rome court in the next eight hours.”
Fury shot through Gina’s bond, but she again kept her emotions hidden. Eight fucking hours? That was an impossible timeline without some significant power and effort on the queen’s part. Unless you had a magical tree at your disposal, as I did. “I will convey the summons to my queen.”
“Thank you, Gina.” He hesitated a moment, and then asked, “If it’s not too presumptuous, could you tell me if House Isador has intentions to make an offer to my grandson?”
Gina looked at Kevin, eyebrows raised in silent question. He stepped closer to the phone. “They have made an offer, Grandad, and I accepted it just a few moments ago. I now serve House Isador as consiliarius.”
Byrnes didn’t say anything for several moments. Long enough for a bead of sweat to slowly slide down Kevin’s forehead.
Gina was still pissed. In my new bond with Kevin, I felt the tension shimmering inside him. The urge of a young man to earn his admired and respected grandfather’s approval, but also a fierce desire to forge his own way and damn the consequences.
I could only imagine what Byrnes was thinking. If Marne Ceresa intended to wipe out my house or teach us a lesson in some way, then now his grandson was tangled up in that punishment. If she intended to kill us all…
Well. She’d find that House Isador was a very resilient target. She could try to swallow me—and find a very big monster stuck in her craw. My only regret was accidentally pitting a grandson against his grandfather in a bloody war.
“Very good,” Byrnes finally said, his voice soft and almost… choked.
Goddess. Marne must really intend us all harm. Eyes narrowed, I clenched my jaws. Power roared inside me. Begging to be used.
Murderous fury pulsed in my Blood astheybegged to be used. Could Xin actually find a way to slip inside Marne Ceresa’s nest and assassinate her?
:Absolutely.:His wolf howled with fierce exultation in his bond.:Without question. Use me, my queen. It’s an honor to kill in your service.:
“I’m so proud, Kevin,” Byrnes finally said. “Thank you, Your Majesty, for giving him a place in your house. I know he’ll do excellent work for you.”
Kevin’s eyes welled with tears. “Thanks, Grandad.”
“Take care of yourself, young man. I still expect to see you for lunch next week. If your duties allow it, of course.”
“Of course,” he whispered, swallowing hard.
“Well, then.” Byrnes cleared his throat. “Goddess speed your journey to court, House Isador.”
Gina disconnected the call and her shoulders drooped. “Goddess.”
Kevin plopped into the nearest chair and mopped his forehead with a handkerchief. “Well. At least Marne doesn’t intend to kill us all, right? Or Grandad wouldn’t remind me of our lunch appointment.”
I breathed deeply and concentrated on relaxing. I sank against Rik, dropping my head back against his chest. Daire curled his arms around my leg and rubbed his chin on my thigh, his purr steady and comforting. My other three Blood had quietly returned while I was dealing with Byrnes. I checked Mehen’s bond, searching for anything that needed to be healed.
