Page 46 of A Throne of Blood & Vengeance

Gradually, Kieran got his laughter under control, and everyone seemed to settle down—although that crease between her dark brows was back on Samara’s face. As if she sensed me studying her, those entrancing purple eyes fell on me, and she gave me a small smile. “How about you break things down for us, Roth? Then I’ll add in my . . . information.”

I was really curious about what Samara had learned, but she clearly needed to build up to telling us, so I did as she asked.

“We should group the problems together as much as we can to minimize how many plans we need.” I held up one finger. “The crown and Carmilla are one. Getting the crown away from Carmilla will help neutralize her as a threat and make her easier to capture.”

Everyone nodded in agreement as Samara bit her lip. This had to be tough on her. She was an incredibly rational person . . . but Carmilla was her family. I knew she would do what she had to, but I hoped we’d be able to simply imprison Carmilla and keep her from causing more trouble for Samara’s sake.

I continued, a second finger joining the first. “Two. Tangentially related, but we need to determine how unstabilized the Moroi Houses have become. Right now, everyone is waiting for the dust to settle after Queen Velika's death and Carmilla rising to take her place. Nobody knows exactly what happened, and Carmilla is using that to her advantage, but when she is”—I glanced at Samara—“taken out of the running, there is going to be a power vacuum.”

“House Tepes and House Devereux won’t try to fill the void,” Alaric said. “The Devereux are isolationists; they’ll try to make it on their own.” I made a noise of agreement. My birth House did not give a single shit about ruling the other Houses. “And Tepes already prefers to deal with the Velesians over the Moroi. This will only cause them to further separate themselves from the other Houses.”

“House Salvatore is a bit of a wild card,” Kieran added thoughtfully, “but my parents and House Corvinus will absolutely try to seize this opportunity to gain more power.”

Samara went absolutely still, and her eyes widened in panic.

“Sam?” Kieran focused on her. “Why did you just tense up? Did something happen with my parents?”

Oh shit. Was that what she’d been keeping from us? No . . . She looked almost blindsided by the mention of Kieran’s parents, like she’d forgotten something.

“They’re still alive,” Samara said quickly.

“More’s the pity,” Draven drawled, earning a smirk from Kieran, who then kissed his chest. Ugh. They were so grossly affectionate.

“I’m sorry, I should have told you sooner, Kier,” Samara apologized. “But with the rescue and seeing you all again, it just slipped my mind and?—”

“Sam,” Kieran cut her off gently. “It’s fine. I’m glad we were able to so thoroughly distract you.” He winked at her, and she huffed a laugh, some of the worry fading from her face.

Okay. So sometimes his obnoxious, cutesy mannerisms had their uses. I’d put up with anything if it made Samara happy.

“They arrived at the Sovereign House a couple of days ago,” Samara explained.

“Of course they did.” Kieran sighed. “Let me guess, they were playing the roles of slightly bewildered but oh so supportive courtiers?”

“Yep,” she said with a pop.

“Carmilla saw through their bullshit, used the crown on them, and sent them back to House Corvinus to act as spies?”

“Yep,” Samara repeated.

“Something eventually is going to have to be done about House Corvinus,” Alaric rubbed his forehead. “All the Houses are devious, buttheirplotting is on another level. They don’t give a shit about all Moroi surviving, only their House.”

“I know.” Samara chewed on her bottom lip. “But that’s a future problem. We have to stop Carmilla from brainwashing all the Houses one by one and then starting a potential war with the Velesians.”

“That brings us to problem three.” I wiggled three fingers in the air. “Moroi and Velesian relations have been growing more strained for years. Only House Tepes and House Harker had decent trade policies in place with them . . .”

“And now, thanks to Vail, House Harker can kiss its good relations goodbye.” Samara chewed on her lip, debating if she should say something, then decided to just get it all out there. “And you should all know that I won’t leave Rynn with the Alpha Pack if she doesn’t want to be there.”

“Another prison break.” Kieran grinned. “Fun.”

“Not fun.” Alaric glared at him.

“Definitely fun,” Draven agreed, earning himself a glare too.

While the three of them argued, I focused on Samara. She was trying to smile at their antics but kept failing. I knew why. The fourth problem.

Slowly, I held up my pinky finger to join the other three. I didn’t say it because I wasn’t sure if Samara was willing to broach this topic yet, and if she wanted me to drop it, I would. For now.

But my brave girl held my gaze and didn’t shy away.

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