Page 141 of The Forsaken Heir
“Your Highness,” Titus called through the door. “My lord, are you awake?”
“Fuck,” Aurelius moaned. “Hang on a second!”
We stumbled out of bed, still half asleep, and dragged on our clothes.
“What the hellis it?” Aurelius asked as he swung the door open.
Titus flinched back. His eyes flicked over to me, then went wide with realization.
“Prince Aurelius, I’m very sorry. I didn’t mean to wake you,” Titus said.
“Well, you have,” Aurelius said. His tone softened as he went on. “What’s so important it couldn’t wait?”
“It’s the Hikshil,” Titus explained. “Their envoy group has arrived.”
“Only an envoy?” I asked. “Not the whole tribe?”
Titus shook his head. “Not yet. They’ve come in advance. You should really hurry. They’ve already been shown to the throne room. Our staff is getting them refreshments.”
“Give us five minutes. Thank you, Titus,” Aurelius said.
As fast as we could, we freshened up, and exited the room, rushing through the corridors to the throne room.
Benedictus stood at the door with Vincent. Rasp was there as well, along with the rest of the court. Cassius arrived a few seconds later, glancing around at everyone.
“What’s going on? Why are the doors closed?” Cassius asked.
Benedictus bowed his head. “We were waiting for you, Your Majesty. To be introduced and shown in.”
Cassius sighed in disgust. “Ben, pomp and circumstance can be put aside for now, don’t you think?”
Benedictus looked nonplussed at the rebuke. “Your Majesty, it’s only proper to?—”
Cassius pushed past the man and strode into the throne room. Aurelius and I followed close behind.
The group in the throne room was the same collection of people who’d greeted me when I arrived in their territory. Achakos, Kaskawan, Sahalie, and a few others.
“Good morning, King Decimus,” Kaskawan said.
“Good morning. Please forgive the delay.” He glanced back at the court members in irritation. “Sometimes, we dragon shifters can be too consumed with tradition.”
“That’s fine,” Achakos said, brushing a strand of her graying black hair from her face. “I trust we are prepared to discuss the Laurent issue.”
“Of course,” Cassius said, crossing the room to his chair. “You already know a few of the people in attendance.”
“Indeed,” Kaskawan said, nodding to me.
Titus stepped forward and made introductions of the other members of the court as well as our newly arrived guests, Freddy and Julian. Cassius, despite what he’d said, still proceeded along with the pleasantries and introductions. Several of the other members of court postured as they were introduced, informing the visiting leaders of any important things they’d done over the years. It looked like they were doing their best to impress the fae.
Aurelius stirred anxiously beside me, ready to end the pleasantries and get down to business.
Rasp’s father, Aurelius’s uncle, was in the middle of discussing some grand battle he’d been a part of two centuries prior when Achakos held a hand up, silencing him.
“Perhaps we could dispense with all this? We’ll be here all day otherwise.”
There was a slight, embarrassed stirring among the crowd.
“I agree,” Aurelius said, stepping forward.
