Dark heiress, p.32
Dark Heiress, page 32
part #5 of Ema Marx Series
“Ready?” Naamah offered me his elbow. He wore a black wool suit over a white button-down shirt complete with tie and shiny dress shoes. I hesitated.
“Am I dressed okay? I can add makeup.”
Naamah grinned with his eyes, his mouth hidden beneath his beard. “You look lovely, my friend. Do not be nervous.”
“Right.” I drew a deep breath, gently rested my hand over the crook of his arm, and then nodded. “How are you holding up?” I asked as we descended the stairs with the intricately carved banisters resembling a thicket of roses and thorns.
Naamah held a manila folder in his other hand and adjusted his grip. “I feel as though she will walk into the room at any moment. I still listen for her footsteps. I curse the spaces where her scent still lingers yet fear the day when it no longer does.” He paused. “Apologies. That was probably heavier than you intended.”
“No, Naamah, don’t apologize. You can tell me anything. I’m here for you. We haven’t known each other very long, but Maria was more of a mother to me than my own mom.”
Naamah smiled. “She had that effect on people.”
“You should talk to Jesu,” I said as we continued walking. “It hit him pretty hard.”
Naamah sighed. “We fretted over Jalmari so much. I think we forgot Jesu lost his parents too.”
I shook my head. “I don’t think so. I think they just needed you in different ways. Maria was good at being tender with Jesu. He needed that.”
We stopped near a door that had been propped open with a wedge. Beyond the ingress was what appeared to be a conference room. Comfortable chairs circled a large wooden table. A handful of people were already seated inside, making small talk in Finnish.
Oh God. I didn’t even think about the language barrier.
Naamah must have been able to sense my unease because he unhooked my hand from his arm and gave it a good squeeze. “Remember to let Jalmari and me do all the talking.”
I swallowed my nerves and then nodded. Conversation hushed as we entered the room together. Fifteen sets of eyes watched me lower onto the soft leather of one of the empty high-back chairs. This is with half of the Council deceased. I took a quick glance around the table, not recognizing anyone other than Naamah. Each Council member had the same signature Neo-Draugrian features: Raven black hair, pale white skin, jet-black eyes. Jalmari and Jesu were unique with their emerald green irises. Having met their father, I could only assume the green coloring came from their mother’s side.
A large man with a figure like a Viking spoke a few demanding words that were not in English. Naamah replied in a calm tone. Then added, “Today’s meeting will be conducted in English out of politeness to our guest.”
The Viking curled his lip as though to snarl a retort but seemed to change his mind as Jalmari sauntered purposefully into the room. He took his seat beside Naamah, placing his Second in Command between us. The prince steepled his hands and glanced around the table. “Are we all accounted for.”
“Yes,” said Naamah.
“Very good. I hereby call this Council meeting to order.”
Naamah uncapped a pen and opened the manila folder to a blank page where he jotted down the date and time and took notes as Jalmari continued to speak.
“First order of business. I am sure most of you have heard by now that we lost a very dear member of the Council. Maria ta Korento. As we were not able to conduct a proper service at the time, a memorial dinner will be held in her honor to take place here in two weeks. You are all welcome to attend, as are your families.”
Murmurs of condolences were spoken to Naamah and Jalmari. Naamah nodded his appreciation, and Jalmari thanked them. Then the prince cleared his throat and continued. “Second order of business. The raids in Helsinki and Stockholm. Bring me up to speed.”
My brow furrowed. Raids? What raids?
“They are getting worse, Your Highness,” said a woman near the opposite side of the table.
“We have managed to contain them with help from the R.E.D.,” said the man sitting next to her. “But the violence is increasing. Destruction of public property. Arson. Theft. Suspected kidnappings.”
“And it’s spreading,” said the woman. “There have been reports in Espoo and Vantaa.”
Jalmari leaned back in his seat and narrowed his gaze. “Media coverage?”
She nodded. “They don’t know who’s doing it or why, but footage of the destruction is on every national news network.”
Jalmari scoffed. “How many captured?”
“Over a hundred and fifty,” said the man.
Jalmari looked at him, his brow furrowed. “That’s it? What do you need, more men? Round up civilians. Offer them a payroll. I want at least a thousand Rebels captured and executed by the end of the week. Do you understand?”
My stomach flipflopped. Rebels. Raiding in Finland’s and Sweden’s capital cities! I’d studied too many wars not to see the fatal mistake Jalmari was making. Enabling civilians to kill each other was never a good move. Fear made people do stupid things, and the chaos would spread like wildfire. All that was needed was one wrongly accused victim to turn Jalmari’s entire clan against him. I lowered my hands, hiding them under the table, and fidgeted with my bracelet. I should say something. Can I say something?
The giant Viking vampyre scoffed. “We’re honestly going to sit here like it’s another Sunday afternoon? Business as usual? Why should any of us take orders from you when you are abdicating? Let us meet this little waif you deem worthy of the crown.”
A lump welled in my throat as all thoughts of Rebels and warfare were forgotten.
“Third order of business.” Jalmari squared his shoulders and narrowed his gaze at the Viking. “I move to abdicate the throne in favor of the mother of my child, Ema ta Korento.” Jalmari lifted one hand and gestured to me.
“I oppose!” said the Viking.
Naamah rolled his eyes and murmured, “Of course you do.”
Others added their disapproval of the vampyre’s behavior as well.
“You’ve seen the paternity results,” said one.
“Quit being difficult,” said another.
“Stefán has a point,” said a third. “Just because she is the mother of his child doesn’t make her fit to rule. Especially now.”
“Exactly,” said the Viking, Stefán. “Our clan is on the brink of war—we haven’t even filled all the positions left open by your father—and you want to put the welfare of the clan into some title-less nobody who none of us have even heard of until a week ago?”
I pulled my lower lip between my teeth and looked at Jalmari. The glare in the prince’s gaze made it difficult to know if he was mulling over his worlds or fantasizing ways to flog his insubordinate.
“You have been loyal to my mother’s family for four generations, Stefán. Are you suggesting we change the line of succession now that a perfectly healthy heir is on its way?”
“Of course not!” Stefán had the audacity to look insulted.
“Then what, pray tell, do you suggest I do?”
Stefán thrust a hand in my direction like the answer should have been obvious. “Marry her!”
I laughed. I couldn’t help it. But the mirth quickly died on my tongue as all eyes flew my way.
Jalmari looked at me and smirked. “I do not believe she will have me.”
“She will if she wants her kid to rule someday.”
I gave Stefán my own narrowed glare. I know Naamah said to be silent, but this was my life they were discussing. “Excuse me, but this isn’t the Dark Ages. Or don’t female vampyres have rights?”
The woman who spoke to Jalmari about the Rebels chortled under her breath. Stefán’s pallor turned bright red, and I smirked.
“Ema,” Naamah warned.
I crossed my arms and leaned back in my seat.
Stefán looked like an over-inflated balloon about to burst. He probably wanted to put me in my place but wouldn’t dare raise his voice to the mother of his future sovereign. At least not in front of Jalmari and everyone else.
Jalmari arched his brow. “You all know why I must abdicate. Regrettably, the R.E.D. is giving me no choice.”
I narrowed my gaze. Back at Brinnon’s castle, Jalmari made it seem his decision was voluntary. Was he lying to sway the Council, or had he not wanted to admit to Jesu and me that the situation was out of his hands?
“So,” Jalmari continued. “The choice is between keeping my heir on the throne or changing the course of succession completely. Ema might be young, but she knows this world. This generation. Its humans. You speak of the coming war and how she could possibly manage it? How many of you even own a computer? Be honest.” Jalmari scanned the congregation. “The real enemy here is not the Rebels, but the news outlets. The internet. The cell phones and satellites and social media. The humans have discovered and claimed every inch of this planet. Now they reach skyward with rocket ships. There is no space left for us to run to or hide in. We could join the Rebels. We could attempt to rule over the entire human species as my father once dared. But look where it got him. If Apollyon could not sustain that life when the humans had nothing more than spears and clubs to defend themselves, what makes you think we would be successful now in the age of machine guns and missiles? Is that the life you want for your own children? It is not what I wish for mine.” Jalmari stood and pressed his palms against the table. “You had a week to think it over and discuss it among yourselves. The time for a decision is now.”
“Aye!” said the woman from across the table.
“Nay,” said her male counterpart. My heart raced. They’re voting? Right now?
Three more ayes sounded off. I clasped my hands in my lap, closed my eyes, and kept track in my mind. That’s four yeses and one no.
“Nay.”
“Nay.”
“Aye.”
“Aye.”
“Nay.”
“Nay.”
“Nay.”
“Nay.”
“Nay.”
My lips squelched. That was eight nos and only six yeses. A pause stretched on for what seemed like several minutes. Then Stefán gave a very grudging, “Aye.”
“Aye,” said Naamah.
Eight to eight. A tie. I opened my eyes and quickly counted heads. Only two people in the room hadn’t voted. Myself—which didn’t count because I didn’t get a vote—and ...
Murmurs of disapproval flew from the nay voters while words of congratulations buzzed from those who voted aye. I shook hands with those seated closest to me, including Stefán and Naamah, but my brain hadn’t quite caught up. Why are they congratulating me? It was a tie, wasn’t it? But no. The last person yet to cast his vote was the former prince himself.
I looked at Jalmari. He met my gaze and grinned.
“Final order of business,” he said softly, and Naamah readied his pen. “The coronation of Ema ta Korento the First. To take place in three days. Long live the Queen.”
Jesu
Ema paced the length of the fourth wing, going from the kitchenette to the sitting area and back as she relayed the details of the Council meeting.
“I don’t understand. Why did Stefán change his vote?” Her hands trembled as she neared the couch where I sat. The urge to take her hands in mine and kiss away her worries pulled at my essence, but I ignored it by crossing my arms over my chest. The time for reveling in passionate desires must remain stagnant, even all the way out here in my estranged corner of the castle, where no one would overhear. We couldn’t risk it. Not when Ema was this close to winning the crown.
“Because he is smart,” I said. “Jalmari would have overruled the vote and abdicated the throne to you regardless. Why make an enemy of his queen?” I grinned at the sound of her title. Queen. It was really happening. Though the tricky part was just beginning. I hoped my brother had a damn good plan in mind for breaking the news to the Council.
Ema pivoted to face me, her expression pinched. “C-could he really do that?”
“Overrule their decision? Of course. Though winning by majority vote is always preferred.”
Ema scowled. “Then Stefán isn’t smart. He’s a coward. The others voted honestly. We’re going to need more of that if we’re going to trust their counsel with this war.”
My brow inched upward. It has not been but an hour and Ema already sounds like Maria. “One thing at a time, muru.”
Ema shook her head. “Jalmari’s decision to let his people kill each other is a bad one. A fatal one.”
I leaned an elbow against the armrest of the couch and cradled my chin in my palm while taking in her appearance. She must have been a wreck under the surface; her gaze darted beneath her slanted brows, and she fidgeted with the silver links of her bracelet until the skin around her fingernails was raw. But despite the nervous ticks, there was an air to her. An essence that didn’t exist before. A regality.
I drew a breath, stood, and then calmly went to her. Her dark gaze widened, making the red shards in her irises shine bright as I tapped my finger under her chin and leaned toward her, close enough to feel her breath on my lips. Resisting the urge to kiss her thinned by the second, so I spoke my piece quickly. “Then tell Jalmari.”
I dropped my hold and turned away before the excuses could run rampant. We’re far away from the others. No one would know if we stole a kiss. Or two. Or more. Much more ...
Behind me, Ema drew a deep breath. “You’re right. I can’t dole out orders yet, but that doesn’t mean I have to stand here twiddling my thumbs.”
I faced her and sat on the armrest of the couch, feeling my pride swell in my chest. “Exactly.”
Ema pursed her lips. Her gaze slid to one side, looking away as she nodded. “Jesu, there’s something I need to tell you before the coronation. Something you’re not going to like.”
Concern spilled into my veins and I tensed. More bad news? “Whatever it is, we will figure it out together.”
She met my gaze, and her dark eyes conveyed an apology. “Well, I ... I named Sara and Brinnon Godparents of our children.”
“Godparents?” I waited for her to continue, but she bit her lip and watched me, as though expecting more of a reaction. I shook my head. “What are Godparents?”
She winced. “That’s not important. The point is, I asked Brinnon if he would, um, adopt Logan Junior.”
I blinked several times, then replayed the words she just spoke in my mind. Adopt Logan Junior. Adopt Logan Junior? Adopt our son? My brow furrowed tight. I did not understand. I wasn’t sure I wanted to. “Ema ...”
“Hear me out,” she said. “Please.”
In my mind, I had already shut down the idea. No. No way. Why on earth would she even consider something so asinine? But then she said please.
I covered my face with my hands and groaned into them before letting them fall to my sides with a haggard sigh. “Very well, woman who insists on vexing me. Let’s hear your reasons.”
“Well ...” She tapped her fingertips together. Another nervous tick. “Remember what I said in Italy? When we,” she scrunched her nose, “broke up?”
I cocked my brow. “Which part?”
“You know, the part where I said that if you ever had to choose between her and me, that you would always choose her because of your mother’s sire command? That part.”
“Yes,” I said slowly, trying to read between the lines. Trying to anticipate where this conversation was headed. I couldn’t seem to make sense of it though. Just the other day she said the sire command would be her salvation. The thing she would cling to while away at Elite camp.
“Well, I mean, we didn’t know at the time the girl from your premonition would end up being my daughter, but it doesn’t change the fact that you will choose her first.”
My gaze narrowed.
She drew a breath. “If Jordan and Logan Junior were on opposite sides of a burning building, who would you save first?”
I thought about it, but I already knew the answer. “Keep her alive.” I shook my head and scoffed. “Ema, that is not fair.”
She tilted her head and her lower lip looked swollen. A small indent marked the spot where she always bit into it. “I know, Jesu, and I’m sorry, but it’s no less true.”
I couldn’t believe what she was suggesting. I stood and shrugged my shoulders. “So, what? Because I wouldn’t be able to save them both in a hypothetical situation, you think he needs to be protected from me?”
“No, Jesu, that’s not what I’m saying. It’s just ... any other parent would hesitate or deny that they couldn’t save them both.”
My blood boiled. “So you disapprove of my answer? Now I am not good enough.”
“My God, Jesu, will you stop?” She tossed her hands in the air then let them drop to her sides. “It hasn’t happened yet, it’s just a backup plan.”
“Right.” I crossed my arms and scoffed. “A backup plan for when I inevitably fail as a father. News-flash, Ema, no one is perfect.”
She clenched her fists and stomped her foot. “I know that! I thought it would help.”
“How?” I shouted. “How could it possibly help?”
“It’s a lot, Jesu. Everything we’re doing. It’s a lot. You need help. I want you to have help because I won’t be here.” Her lip trembled and she looked away. “You have no idea how much it breaks my heart. I need ... Logan Junior needs a normal childhood. He’s going to be different. Physically different. It’s not like Jordan, who can choose to be bitten and turned.” She looked at me and held my gaze in her deeply wounded eyes. “She’s yours, you know? She always will be. So can I please just feel like I have some control over my son?”
