Page 59 of The Forsaken Heir
“The Hikshil tribe is sending a group to the gala, but many of their tribe stayed behind. We still want them to feel included. Why don’t you go to their village and take them some gifts on behalf of House Decimus?”
“Gifts?” Vince asked, frowning. “What kind of gifts?”
“I was thinking about some food items, maybe some of the fruit and vegetable seeds we have in the greenhouse. Some simple things to show our appreciation for their friendship. Can you do that for me?”
Vince’s face slowly transformed, the frown giving way to a smile. “Really? Can I go now? Skip the gala?”
“Sure. Head to the greenhouse first and pick up a few samples of the seeds, then go to the kitchens.” I held up a finger. “Find the sous chefs, not the head chef. He’s too stressed out and will chew your head off. Have them give you enough food for a hundred people. Breads, pastries, some aged meat and cheeses, things like that. Then have one of the valets bring up a car to transport all of it.”
“Okay,” he said, then bolted for the door of the library.
Before he made it out, he skidded to a stop and turned back, wrapping me in a bone-crunching embrace.
“Thank you, Aurelius. Seriously. Thank you,” he whispered.
I patted him on the back. “No problem. Now get out of here before your father sees you and asks why you aren’t dressed yet. If he asks about you, I’ll tell him you’re on an important diplomatic mission.”
His smile widened so much I thought his face might break. “Nice. Thanks,” he said, then he was out the door.
“I think you made his day,” Rasp said.
“I hope so.” I glanced at my watch and winced. “Fuck. I need to finish dressing, then head to Elle’s room. I’m escorting her to the gala.” I looked at Rasp. “Can I trust you with a job?”
“Yeah,” he said with a casual shrug.
Suppressing my temper, I reached out and grabbed his wrist, harder than I should have, but it got his attention and wiped the smile off his face.
“I’m serious, Rasp. This is important. If you screw it up, you’ll be putting not only me, but also Elle, in danger.”
It wasn’t often that I saw Rasp looking somber and mature, but he did now. The look he gave me was full of intense understanding.
“What is it, Aurelius? I’ll do whatever you say.”
“Good man,” I said, sighing with relief. “Go around to our team at the doors and make sure they are ready and prepared. I’m sure they are, but they need to be reminded. Got it?”
“I’ll do it.” He looked into my eyes with an earnestness I’d never seen before. “I’ll do it right. I promise.”
“Go then,” I said, squeezing his shoulder. “Hurry and meet me at Elle’s room in ten minutes. You’ll be escorting Delphine to the gala.”
“I’ll be quick. I swear.” He hustled off, his coat-tails flying out behind him as he went.
Once he was gone, I made my way back to my room and put on the rest of my outfit, feeling like an idiot as I attached the ribbons, cords, and even the ornate dagger and scabbard at my thigh—all holdovers from older times when the royal family was required to do battle in the fields. Even in the ancient past, our species had to hide from the humans to ensure our safety, and that meant swearing allegiance to human kings and fighting in their armies for them. It was a strange dichotomy with kings and princes pretending to be simple noble lords and bending the knee to ahumanking.
Once fully dressed, I left to find Elle. Two of our best men were guarding her rooms, one being Damascus, who I’d seen a few weeks before standing guard outside the meeting room when I returned from my diplomatic mission days early.
“Prince Aurelius,” Damascus greeted, standing rigid alongside with the other guard. “Is it time?”
“It is, indeed.” I waved at them. “At ease. Is the Lady Brielle ready?”
“Uh, I assume so,” Damascus said with a frown. “We haven’t checked.”
“Go ahead and announce my arrival. I’ll check in on her.”
Damascus turned and pounded on the door three times, then called out, “Prince Aurelius Decimus for you, my lady.”
“Ohshit,” came a muffled curse from inside, and I suppressed a smile. “Uh, okay. Ugh, send him in, I guess.”
Damascus turned the knob and swung the door inward. A grin spread on my face when it opened, but it froze when I laid eyes on Elle. A violent warmth surged through my chest down to my stomach and into my groin. My cock twitched to life as I took her in.
