Page 77 of Queen Takes Triune
“Yes, we’re here,” Angela said. “I got your text that you’re required to be in Rome in eight hours. How the fuck are you supposed to pull that off? Oops, sorry for my language, Your Majesty. Even the newest jet can’t make it to Rome from New York in that timeframe, and you’d still need to get here too.”
“Don’t fucking worry about it.” I smiled, keeping my voice light. “I won’t need the jet. Gina, did Alice finish the formal presentation gown?”
Alice Wong was a clothing designer I’d met in Dallas. I loved her gowns so much that we’d basically paid her an obscene amount of money to create as many beautiful and fantastic gowns as possible in her unique design. I hadn’t seen sketches, but I knew whatever she designed would be incredible.
Gina nodded. “It arrived while we were in Cairo, though I haven’t taken the time to unpack it yet and see what she sent.”
“I’m assuming the Blood should all wear their tuxes?”
“Absolutely,” Guillaume answered before Gina could.
“Fuck me,” Ezra muttered.
“Alright, let’s get ready to rumble. Everybody get dressed.” The Blood started upstairs, all except Rik and Nevarre. Rik, because he couldn’t get up until I did, and Nevarre, because he’d somehow become my personal dresser.
“I’m headed back to the library, my queen,” Carys announced. Loudly, so Mehen would hear, even though he’d left the room.
I felt him shoot a murderous glare in our direction, but Guillaume and Llewellyn both took an arm and kept dragging him upstairs. “What’s the probability that we all return from this trip alive and well?”
She grimaced, shaking her head as she headed for the door. “You’re already pissed at me. Just know the odds are stacked against you, but that’s never stopped you before. When I find what you need, I’ll send it to you in the bond. Goddess let me find it soon enough to help.”
Gina waited until the room had quieted, then she gave her assistants a somber look. “All contingencies are in place. Kevin is returning to the tower now. Gwen has business of her own to resolve. I expect you two to help him in any way if something happens to me.”
I leaped up and grabbed her shoulders, whirling her around to face me. “Why wouldn’t you return with me?”
She smiled calmly as her hands settled on my shoulders. “It’s been my greatest honor to serve you, my queen.”
Tears burned my eyes. “What aren’t you telling me?”
“Queens are too precious in this day and age for the Triune to risk losing your bloodline. So if there’s any punishment the Triune metes out to our house, it usually falls to the first consiliarius to satisfy that judgement. That’s why I needed to be sure you had another consiliarius lined up before we ever had to go to court.”
Oh goddess. My throat ached and I clutched her too hard. I felt my nails digging into her shoulders, hurting her through her clothing. I couldn’t risk drawing her blood and drinking her accidentally, but I didn’t want to let her go, either. “Why didn’t you tell me? What can I do to protect you?”
Smiling, she patted me gently. “You rule as queen. That’s what you do to protect us all. I’m confident that we’ll come out of this unscathed, but if Marne Ceresa is determined to exact some retribution on our house before we’re allowed to leave, I’ll pay that debt gladly.”
“No. Absolutely not.”
“If it comes down to it, you must.” I opened my mouth to retort, but she gave me a firm shake. “From a purely legal angle, if the Triune orders that all of Isador must die except for you, then that’s what happens. We are all subject to the Triune’s will.”
“That’s ridiculous. She’s only one queen. She doesn’t speak for the goddesses.”
“She does, or she wouldn’t be Triune.”
I shook my head desperately. “I don’t believe it. Desideria killed entire nests, and she was Triune. Are you saying that was the goddesses’ will?”
“Unfortunately, yes,” Gina replied. “Until her death, which was also at the goddesses’ will. It might have taken decades or even centuries for Their will to come to fruition, but we have to believe that in the end, Their will triumphs. The Great One willed you into existence. She willed you to defeat Keisha Skye. I believe She wills you to handle the Triune as well, but how that unfolds, I can’t say. None of us can. But I am ready and willing to serve, not just you, but Her as well. If my life is required, so be it.”
“But…” My voice broke. I couldn’t begin to think about losing her.
I’d lost so much already. My mother at my birth. The parents who raised me. Gina had been with me on this journey since the beginning, and I hadn’t even known it. I’d never even known of her existence until Rik and Daire found me, but she’d been searching for me, fighting for me, my entire life.
I trusted her. Implicitly. I loved her dearly. My friend. My closest advisor. I relied on her for everything.
Goddess. Please. I can’t lose her.
Gina kissed my cheek. “I don’t expect Marne to execute any of us. That’s not her style. She’d much rather watch us squirm and suffer for decades under her thumb. But you know I have to have a plan in case the worst does happen. Everything’s taken care of. Just in case.”
I kissed her cheek back and then threw my arms around her, hauling her into a bear hug. “Just in case. But I swear, Gina…”
