Page 21 of Queen’s Alliance

He gave me a sheepish grin. “I cannot lie, Your Majesty, but everyone is positively thrilled to find House Isador thrust into such prominence once more. The drawn drapes and locked doors to conserve energy and preserve the artifacts for decades have been demoralizing at times. Though we held your mother’s promise close to our hearts. She swore House Isador would rise once more, even after she was gone.”

My interest perked. “Artifacts?”

His eyebrows rose. “I can show you now, if you’d like? Though you will also see everything tomorrow, since most of the displays are in the formal ballroom.”

I was tempted to see everything tonight...

But as soon as I thought about delaying much longer, my fangs started to ache. “Tomorrow will suffice. I’d like to retire for the evening.”

“Of course, Your Majesty. If you’ll follow me...”

He led us up a wide, grand staircase that curved to the upper level. The Parisian style of architecture was far more formal than any of the other houses I’d visited so far, but I could still see my mothers’ touches in the decor. Creamy stone tiles the color of parchment or sandstone with simple, smooth white walls. Pops of color in turquoise, red, and of course, lapis lazuli. The high ceilings were still trimmed with ornate, gilded carvings with plaster medallions around massive crystal chandeliers, but the gold wasn’t overly opulent.

He paused at the top of the stairs. “There are two main queen suites on this floor, Your Majesty. Either is ready for you, whether you prefer your mother’s or Selena’s suite.”

“My mother’s will be perfect, but I’d like to tour Selena’s another day.”

“Of course.” He stepped to the left and pushed open tall French doors. “We have smaller guest rooms upstairs for any visiting siblings or guests, and then an extensive set of rooms downstairs for staff, where your consiliari and other staff stay. We can accommodate up to ten queens upstairs before needing to double them up or use other rooms.”

I didn’t enter right away, waiting for Rik to give me the okay. Nevarre and Khalid both went into the room ahead of us to scout it out. I didn’t pick up on whatever they reported, but Rik sent Vore, Nox, and Gerard in next. Guillaume and Itztli stood on either side of the door as guards. I wasn’t sure where anyone else was. Though that made me worry about Okeanos. “One of my Blood requires a large pool or water feature.”

Harvey nodded. “Gina informed the staff not to be alarmed if they saw someone in the fountain. Admittedly, it’s been decades since we were around Blood, but the staff understands they may appear different at times.”

Rik lightly touched my back, so I stepped into the suite. As I passed Harvey, he bowed low. “Please inform me at once of anything we can do to improve your stay with us, Your Majesty. If you need anything at all, there’s an intercom in the sitting room. You can reach me or the kitchen with a press of a button.”

“Thank you, Harvey. Everything has been lovely.”

Beaming, he shut the door gently, and I heard his steps retreating toward the stairs.

“Whew,” I whispered, closing my eyes. “I like him, but I’m glad we’re alone now. It’s all so… formal.”

“Nothing more than you deserve, my queen,” Rik said. “All of the old-world Aima houses prefer formalities.”

“Was your birth house so formal?”

“Not at all, but Queen Jarnsaxa’s court is nothing like House Isador’s.”

“You’ve never really talked about your birth house.”

He shrugged. “There’s not much to say. Besides, I was just one of many young Aima hoping to someday serve a queen. That’s why I was sent to foster with House Skye. My bloodline wasn’t considered prime enough for any of the larger courts.”

I frowned, offended on his behalf. “They judge bloodlines? You’re not a thoroughbred racehorse.”

“Most queens care about such things. As Guillaume has said often, you’re quite unlike most queens, Shara fucking Isador.” Grinning at my deepening scowl, he crossed his arms over his chest. “Look around at your humble abode, Your Majesty, and tell me again that bloodlines don’t matter.”

I dragged my attention from him to actually see the room around me. Everything screamed elegant luxury. Thick beige carpet softened the floor beneath my feet, though beige was inadequate to describe the variegated pebbled sandy gold and tan colors to resemble the desert. Plush chairs and sofas in red and black butter-soft leather were arranged in casual seating areas around the spacious room, whether for Blood or siblings waiting to speak to their queen. Textured papyrus covered the walls, hand painted like the sacred room where I’d been born in New York City. Probably by Esetta’s own hand. Only this time, the paint shimmered with flecks of gold and precious jewels embedded into the designs. Gold sconces directed soft, warm light up against the walls to make the gilt and faceted gems gleam.

The hieroglyphs were raised up off the paper so I could trace my fingers over the swirls, dots, and lines, imagining my mother or hers before her writing them. Or even older, I decided, as I read from the top of the wall. Beneath a large image of Isis holding Her wings outspread were the names of all the queens of my line.

Isis, Great Goddess, Mistress of Magic, Whose Voice Can Raise the Dead

Her Seven Scorpions, Tefen and Befen, Mestet and Mestetef, Petet, Thetet, and Matet, the first Daughters to walk with their Mother.

Tabia, daughter of Tefen

Dina and Heba, daughters of Tabia

Mesi, Anipe, and Zahra, daughters of Dina.