It was hard to miss that King Enden had a disdain for me that wasn’t there before. I wondered if Zyacus noticed too. “I think the hunting should take place tonight. When these disgusting people, if we can even call them that, will be out,” Enden said.
“Since hearing about what blood drinkers are and what they are capable of but also their weaknesses,” Mother said, tapping her fingers against the hilt of her sword. Her tight black pants and long-sleeved top lined with white fur made her look regal, unlike me in a uniform that everyone else wore. “I think we find their hiding spot and kill them during the day. They’ll be confined since they admitted to hiding in a cave.”
“Going into an enclosed area with them is risky,” Enden said, tapping his foot. “They could trap our forces inside and tear us to pieces.”
“I could kill them all myself,” Mother said. “With one massive blast of a sunlight spell.”
With her magical power, I didn’t doubt it. But not all of them were confined to the dark, we’d seen the five during the day and Senica was a daywalker, if he had been enrolled here. All of us looked to my father. My mother may be the most powerful but my father, the famous Boaden Exavior Veilspar was the strategist, the best warrior in Delhoon.
“You’ve both brought up good points,” he said slowly as if still processing everything. He looked to Enden. “You should have brought your wife, she knows more about them than any of us given that she is Collweyan. Faustus could not come until tomorrow.”
“She’s not feeling well—we’re expecting another child.”
Zyacus’s eyes went wide. “Mother is pregnant? But she almost died giving birth last time.”
“She’ll be fine,” Enden said and gave him a hard stare. I knew that look; we’ll talk about this later, it meant.
“Congratulations,” Mother said.
Enden only nodded.
Father paced back and forth. “If there was a way we could draw them to one area outside their hiding place that would be ideal. I don’t think going into a cave or similar area is wise given that they could trap us inside but it doesn’t mean we don’t need to find the place.”
I swallowed hard. I knew how we could draw them out. Using me as bait. I was what Senica wanted, and if Kyan was on our side and brought me to them, I would bet the others would flock just to see the Princess of Delhoon in his possession. But they’d never allow it of me. “We use someone or a small group as bait. Those blood drinkers we faced on the road between here and Henalae were eager to get to us.”
“That wouldn’t draw all of them but it is a good strategy to draw a few. Then we get one of them to lead us to the hiding spot and if the others want their friend to live, they will come out and fight us.” Father stopped pacing. “I will take a battalion and we will end this tonight.”
To be safe, I walked to my father and wrapped my arms around him, making sure to touch the skin of his arms… He wouldn’t die.
“I’ll join you,” King Enden said.
“I’ll stay here. The winter formal is tonight,” Mother said. “I need to be here in case something goes wrong.” Mother set her cold gaze on me. “Let’s go get you ready.”
I groaned internally. She was going to talk to me about Zyacus.
Chapter 35
We went to my room where Legacy sat in front of the mirror braiding her hair in beautifully intricate ways. She stood immediately seeing my mother and bowed. “Hi, Aunt Daelyn.”
“Hello, Legacy,” Mother said and wandered about. This was the first time she’d been in here. It was simple and small, so much different from my bedroom at the castle.
“Who is escorting you to the dance tonight?” Mother asked. I wasn’t sure if she was talking to Legacy or me.
“I’m going with our friend Lora,” Legacy answered. “She doesn’t have a date and Aric is in Collweya.”
“Boys are trouble anyway,” Mother said and winked as she sat on my bed. Then she looked to me. “And what about you? I’m assuming you have an escort since you’re not going with Legacy.”
“Zyacus asked me,” I said and couldn’t help but smile even though my mouth went dry.
It was disappointing when she all but frowned. “Oh.” Her eyes flicked to Legacy then back to me. “Did I miss something? I thought you two didn’t get along? I was really confused when I got a letter yesterday from Headmaster Jace telling me you got into a fight over Zyacus which resulted in the entire dining room fighting and then Professor Tessam wrote to me this morning and said you and the prince skipped class together after you yelled at her.”
So she hasn’t heard. I guess Madison, Papa, and Bindy kept quiet about it. They probably wanted me to be the one to tell my parents who I was dating. “I didn’t yell at her,” I said, getting defensive.
“You gave her an order.” Mother didn’t sound displeased or approving. “And what’s with the fighting over Prince Zyacus?”
I felt a blush coming on. Instead of answering, I fidgeted with my sword hilt.
“They’re together now,” Legacy said in my stead. “And Jennika tried to punch Visteal in the face during dinner last night. She came right up, didn’t say anything and swung, she missed and punched Zyacus instead, Visteal tackled her and yeah, we all started fighting after that.”
Mother’s eyes widened for a moment and then she cracked up laughing. My mouth dropped. I expected a scolding or yelling, or the famous “I’m disappointed in you” speech but not laughing. A moment later the three of us were practically rolling as we told her the details. She thought it was hilarious that Taz was the one who stood up and yelled.
Dabbing her eyes, Mother stood and pulled me into a hug. “I wish I’d had a life like this when I was your age. If Zyacus makes you happy then I am happy, just please be careful with him. I’ve always liked Zyacus but don’t get too serious—”
Oh my unicorn, I hoped she wasn’t going into the “how babies are made” talk. “I’ll stop you there before this gets awkward.”
Legacy laughed again and then Mother helped us get ready for the winter formal.
Unlike my dress for my birthday, this gown was layers of fabric and long-sleeved. The bodice was tight and laced up the back which gave my average-sized breasts a push up and the heart-shaped neckline showed a subtle amount of cleavage. The sleeves were sheer and jeweled at the wrists and the folds and yards of fabric from my hips down bunched decoratively in places, pinned with small crystals. The color wasn’t bright red but more of a dark wine color which I loved. Bindy had good taste in dresses.
Legacy wore a silver form-fitting gown that glittered with every step she took. Her high-heeled shoes made her much taller than me. Just to be on the safe side, I wore new black boots so I could have my dagger with me. No one would see my shoes anyway, the dress was too long.
“You girls are so beautiful,” Mother said and pulled us both into her arms. “I’ll be around but I’m not going to chaperone so you probably won’t see me.”
“Keep me up to date about Father and the hunt,” I said and leaned back.