Page 55 of The Forsaken Heir
Benedictus’s most fervent supporters shouted out their agreement. This had to stop. If mob mentality took over, things would get out of hand fast.
“Enough!” I bellowed above the commotion.
The furor ceased, and all eyes turned toward me, including my father’s.
“What say you, Highness?” Benedictus said. There was less caustic irritation in his voice than the last time he’d addressed me at court, but the derision in his eyes was still present. He wanted to fight—I wanted diplomacy. Benedictus knew exactly what I was about to say.
“Going scorched earth on the Laurents and their followers is not the way this needs to play out,” I said.
“Oh good.” Benedictus barked a laugh. “What do you propose we do? Send envoys? Ask for their pardon?Grovel and beg?” he spat out the last words as if they offended his very mouth to say them.
I gestured to Elle at my side. “No, Benedictus, but wedohave the woman they alleged we murdered. This is her family, and she should be involved in any decision we make, should she not?”
Benedictus and his followers looked like they wanted to argue, but they all knew it was a reasonable request. Plus, the hard lookmy father was giving his retinue made it clear it would be a bad idea to disagree with what I’d said.
Plastering a simpering smile on his face, Benedictus bowed his head to me and Elle. “What does Lady Laurent say about the situation?”
Elle swallowed once, her eyes darting around the room at all the faces looking at her for anything that wouldn’t lead to our eventual destruction. The wolves outnumbered dragon shifters nearly ten to one. Benedictus could bluster on about raining down fire on the wolves, but in the end, their numbers would devastate us if we truly went to war. My father and I knew it, which was why we always tried to tamp down Lord Beatrix’s desire for open hostilities toward the Laurents.
“First and foremost,” Elle said after clearing her throat. “I don’t think anyone wants war. It would hurt everything more than helping.”
“Not if we strike first,” Benedictus said, giving another sanctimonious thump of his fist.
“True,” Elle said, “but what of the humans? Do you really think we’ll keep our secrets if giant dragons are doing battle with massive wolves in downtown Portland or Seattle?” She glanced around the room at the others, all who looked as though they’d just realized something unpleasant.
“Shifter wars were easier in the past,” she went on. “Things are different now. I know many of you are old enough to remember the old hostilities. But today? Every human has a camera attached to the internet in their pocket. Within minutes, the military would know. I know we’ve got magic on our side, but with the weapons the humans have and the sheer numberof them, we’d be decimated. Even if, by some miracle, we joined forces—wolves and dragons working together—it still wouldn’t be enough.”
“What would you propose?” Dad asked, a faint smile on his face.
“We show them proof,” Elle said. “Proof that I’m alive. We show it to everyone. That way, even if my direct family is lying, the other wolf families will see it too. If I’m alive and well, they won’t support open war.” She glanced around again, looking for support.
“Possibly,” Benedictus said. “But how? A video? They’ll say it’s edited or something. If you go in person, and they do want you dead, they’ll try to kill you on the spot before anyone else sees you.”
Like a bomb going off in my head, I realized what Elle was thinking. Looking at her, she winked at me and continued on.
“That is true, Lord Beatrix,” Elle said. “But in all this haste, we’ve forgotten what happens less than two weeks from today.”
A ripple of understanding moved through the room as everyone caught on to what she was saying. There was one place where we could make sure everyone saw Elle was alive and well. One place that was safe for shifters and fae of all different houses, regions, and species to get together.
“Are you suggesting what I think you’re suggesting?” Dad asked, rubbing his beard.
Elle nodded. “The gala.”
13
AURELIUS
Elle’s idea struck gold. Everyone around the room had looked at her like she’d said something profound. The yearly gala was the one place fae and shifters of all types came together and mingled. It was mostly political posturing and business dealings. For the most part, it was simply a matter of tradition. It had been going on as long as anyone could remember, at least since the third century. Back then, it had been a way to reconnect and figure out what each species was doing and discuss the ancient wellsprings in the old world. It had begun centuries before the decline of dragons, and before the animosity between us and the wolves had begun. As with all things, the fighting and backstabbing had come about due to the decline of resources. The resource in ourparticular situation had been magic.
The wellsprings of old Europe, Asia, and Africa had shrunk or dried up, leaving us no choice but to venture to the new world and discover new sources. Wolves and dragons had been at each other’s throats since the initial fighting began. Now the gala was used as a way for each individual house to show off and makethemselves look better. That, and trying to win favor with the fae tribes who watched over the wellsprings.
One thing that was completely forbidden at the gala was violence of any kind. No one would dare start conflict there. It meant even if Elle’s familydidwant her dead, they would risk outright banishment if they tried to hurt her there. Along with whatever protection my father and I could give her, she would be safe enough. There would be no way her family could pretend she was murdered if she presented herself to all the shifters of the world. It really was a brilliant plan.
From the moment she mentioned it, my father and I began discussing security measures. We did our best to bring Elle into the planning and implementation. She was my guest, and besides, it was her life that was on the line.
“Would you like to assist with choosing the menu?” I asked her over breakfast the day after the decision had been made. The dragons were hosting the gala this year, and it could do with a woman’s touch.
Elle’s eyes went wide. “Oh. I guess so,” she said, looking unsure.
