Page 59 of Queen of the Crimson Throne

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LUCIANA

We all sat around the large round table in what my mother considered the family dining room. It was the room where we ate as a family or when we had a small number of guests. The room had a much warmer feel than the large formal dining room with its extended rectangular table.

Several bottles of wine were passed around the table as everyone filled their glasses.

My mother’s consort, Endora, sat beside her, having arrived back from her day out of the palace. The pair sat with their hands intertwined on the table.

I had seen my mother with her fair share of lovers. She was never the kind of mother to hide her exploits from me. If anything I thought she shared too much. Too much about everyone except my father. I didn’t even know if he knew I existed.

He had to though—he had to know the Queen of the Mystic Court had a daughter. Unless he didn’t know my mother was the heir when they were together. These were the thoughts I spiraled over time and time again.

But Endora, Endora had been different from the start.

She was the first and only consort my mother had ever taken.

They had been together for almost five years now, but she officially became the queen’s consort shy of a year ago.

My mother loved her passionate love affairs, moving from one to the next after she grew tired of them. I think that is what kept her from making Endora her queen alongside her. My mother still worried she might tire of Endora, or the other way around. Not that I thought it would happen, but it wasn’t my battle to wage.

My mother ensured she had an easy escape route if needed.

Her sister’s murder only furthered that need.

If my mother and Endora were still together ten years from now, my mother might consider making Endora Queen, instead of simply her consort. Or maybe I’d be Queen and none of it would matter.

“It’s so nice to finally meet you, Endora,” Kara said from across the table.

“Yes,” Lennox added, turning her attention to Endora. “We’ve heard so much about you. We’re excited to meet the female who has captured our aunt’s attention as it’s not an easy feat.”

“And I should say the same to you, shall I not?” Endora moved her long ebony hair over a thin shoulder. “It appears you have quite the reputation that precedes you.” She glanced toward the vampire prince at Lennox’s side.

“Unfortunately, you’re correct,” Lennox grumbled, but there was a teasing lilt to her voice. Laughter rumbled throughout the room at her comment. I enjoyed seeing these little peeks of my cousin creeping back out from the darkness.

“From the sounds of it, I might get along better with the Blood Prince than you,Your Majesty.”

“Considering Lennox doesn’t get along well with anyone, I think you’re correct.” Luka laid his arm across the back of Lennox’s chair.

My mother chuckled and clapped her hands. “Oh, Lennox, you truly have found one that keeps you on your toes haven’t you, how wonderful.”

Lennox glared at Luka, who only smiled at her. “If anyone is keeping one on their toes it’s Lennox.” He elbowed her gently. “Isn’t that right, Sweetheart? I never know what I’m going to get with you.”

“I’ll tell you that you’re going to get, a swift kick to the shin if you keep talking about me like this,” Lennox responded. I hid my smile behind my glass. I loved watching her and Luka go back and forth, it brought back the sparkle in her eyes.

“I’m sorry if I started something,” Endora said sincerely, a pale blush rising to her porcelain skin.

Nico laughed. “Don’t worry about anything, this is basically foreplay for these two.” I about spat out my drink. Did Nico have a death wish?

“Ouch!” Nico wailed as he reached under the table and gripped his leg.

Lennox smiled sweetly. “Sorry, my foot slipped.”

“You’re lucky it was her foot.” Luka sat back in his chair. “Could have been her dagger.”

“So where exactly are we heading tomorrow?” Declan asked as we continued to pass the remaining bottles of wine around the table. My mother and Endora had left us on our own well over an hour ago. We remained, taking advantage of my mother’s exquisite wine collection.

“It’s called the catacombs—they are like a maze of sorts leading to the place where Astria last remained before returning to the sky.”

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