Conclave (Vampire Conclave: Book 3), page 12
“You can also take her daughter somewhere Mira can’t go,” Julian points out. “It’s the only place where the child can be kept safely out of my sister’s reach.”
“Are you going to hate me for helping Constance?” I ask.
Julian shakes his head. “I can’t hate you for doing the right thing. It’s obvious Constance hasn’t enjoyed her life as Mira’s companion. However, I don’t believe that’s because of Mira herself.”
“For what it’s worth, I don’t think so either. Mira seems devoted to Constance. I think she even loves her on some level.”
“Mira considers Constance to be her own flesh and blood. She would do anything for her, except give up her next companion. Mira is, above all else, a selfish creature. I may detest what this will do to my sister, but I can’t in good conscience let an innocent suffer when its mother is begging for our help.”
“Our help?” I ask. “Does that mean you’re going to help me with the baby when the time comes?”
“I will,” Julian pledges. “I’ll do whatever you need me to do, Sarah.”
I go to Julian and hug him tightly around the waist, resting my head on his chest and exhaling a relieved sigh.
“Thank you,” I tell him. “I’m not sure what I would have done if you had decided to tell Mira what’s going to happen.”
“Maybe we can find the cure soon and make all of this unnecessary,” Julian offers as alternative to this narrative.
“I hope so,” I tell him, truly meaning it. “I may not like your sister, but I don’t want to see her suffer either, Julian. I truly don’t.”
“I know that,” he replies, hugging me close. “I can sense how divided you’ve been on the issue. I just wish you had told me what was happening instead of going to Helen for advice first. Promise me that you won’t try to keep any more secrets from me again, even if you believe it’s for my own good.”
“I won’t,” I promise him. “I was just confused.”
“I wonder how many companions have thought like Constance over the years and would rather have their children taken away from this life instead of remain with us.”
I pull away just enough to look into Julian’s eyes. “My mother didn’t, not exactly. I’m sure she and my father could have found a home for me in Alfheim after their deaths, but they chose for me to remain on Earth so you could find me one day.”
“True,” he says, sounding comforted by that fact.
“You’re nothing like your sister,” I remind him. “I know you love her, but she can’t possibly be an easy woman to live with. And considering the company she likes to keep, is it any wonder that Constance wants her daughter to be taken as far away as possible?”
“I suppose you’re right,” he agrees, but I can tell he’s not entirely convinced by my reasoning.
“Sarah!”
When I hear my name being called out, I take a step back from Julian and look toward the house.
I see Alden practically sprinting toward us.
“Something must be wrong,” I say as I take one of Julian’s hands with mine and begin to walk toward Alden.
“I need for you to come to Alfheim right away,” he says urgently and slightly out of breath. “The valkyries arrived early and have started Corym’s trial already. That can only mean one thing: that they’ve already made up their minds to execute him. It may be impossible for you to change their decision, but you need to at least try.”
I briefly look down at what I’m wearing: a sleeveless white cotton shirt, faded jeans, and sneakers. I had intended to change clothes before going to Alfheim, but it’s obvious I won’t have time to do that now.
“Let’s go then,” I say as we all hurry back into the mansion.
When we step through the glass doors, we’re met by Agatha. I didn’t get to speak with her much the last time I was here, but from what I gathered during that brief first meeting, she’s in charge of running the estate. She’s a short-statured woman with shoulder length red hair cut into a short bob. She’s wearing a sky blue jacket, skirt, and heels ensemble today and the same thick, black-rimmed glasses she wore before.
“Princess Sarah,” she greets me, curtsying just as awkwardly in front of me as she did the first time we met, “I’m so happy to see you again. It’s a bit earlier than I expected, but I have to say it’s truly wonderful that you would take time out of your busy schedule to handle this matter personally.”
“It’s good to see you again too, Agatha,” I tell her. “Tell me, are you required to stay here at the mansion, or are you allowed to return to Alfheim?”
“Oh, I can go back anytime I want,” she assures me. “Is there something I can do for you there?”
“I assume you’ve been told about my engagement to Jhann Nysas,” I say.
Agatha nods, causing her short bob to bounce. “Oh yes, Your Highness, we’re all quite excited about that.”
“We’re supposed to have an engagement party, and Jhann seems to think I need someone to help arrange things on my end. Would it be possible for you to be that person for me?”
The skin on Agatha’s face turns blood red as her lips stretch into a broad, proud smile.
“It would be the honor of my life to serve you in such a capacity,” she gushes as she laughs nervously.
“I’m not asking too much of you, am I?”
“Oh, no,” she says, shaking her head vigorously. “I promise I won’t fail you, Your Highness. You can count on me to handle all the details. I know how busy you’ll be because of the vampire conclave.”
“Wonderful,” I say, smiling at her gratefully.
“Sarah,” Alden says with a sense of urgency, “we really must go.”
“Come with us, Agatha,” I say as we continue to make our way down to the basement where the breach is located. “The first thing I need for you to do is get in touch with Jhann Nysas and let him know that tomorrow night is out of the question for the party. The vampires will be having their first meeting then. I can either come to Alfheim the night after or the night after that if he wants to have it this week. Can you do that for me and get back to me with his answer?”
“Oh, yes, Princess Sarah,” Agatha says readily. “I will inform you of his answer as soon as I receive it. Hopefully, I can have it before you leave Alfheim today.”
“That would be wonderful,” I tell her.
The first time I met Agatha, she seemed like a woman who loved to organize things and get them done in a timely manner. That’s just the kind of person I need in this situation. The sooner we get this farce of an engagement party over with, the better.
Unfortunately, we have to leave Helen in New Orleans. We can’t even tell her about the existence of the breach in the basement of the mansion because it would be against alfar law. Only Shael can grant someone the privilege of learning about its existence, and until I become queen, I can’t tell her about it either.
After we step through the breach to Alfheim, I ask Agatha to contact Jhann Nysas about the engagement party and to get back to me as soon as she has his answer. She scurries off like a busy worker bee to do my bidding. Strangely enough, Viktor chases after her instead of staying by my side. Since he can act as my covert eyes and ears within the palace, I can only assume he’s planning to check on things for me while I’m otherwise occupied.
Alden immediately takes us to where the valkyries are conducting their tribunal. We find everyone, including Shael, in the same circular stone building that was used for the farewell ceremony. I’m not sure if this is where the valkyries normally pass judgment on people or if the trial is being conducted here because this is where the crime was committed. Either way, it doesn’t really matter. As we walk into the building, all I can hope is that I’m not too late to help Corym.
One thing I can say for sure is that the valkyries may be gorgeous in their white gowns, but that does nothing to lessen their intimidation factor. Two of them are sitting on the throne chairs in Shael’s royal box while the third one is standing in front of my aunt and Corym in the center of the structure.
Corym looks haggard, as if he hasn’t slept since the night of the farewell ceremony. His clothes are clean and I can tell that he hasn’t been mistreated, but the tiredness in his eyes also shows me that he hasn’t been getting enough rest. His hands are bound behind his back, and the look of hatred he casts in my direction causes me to second-guess if he even wants my help.
The valkyrie standing between Corym and the others is the same one who witnessed his crime against me. As if I didn’t feel nervous enough, all three of the valkyries raise their gazes away from the proceedings to observe my entrance into the building. Shael notices their distracted looks and turns around to face me.
“Come, Sarah,” my aunt says, holding a hand out to beckon me forward a little faster. I can feel how relieved she is to see me. “You’re just in time to make your appeal on Corym’s behalf.”
Alden, Julian, and Nadia remain near the entrance as I gradually approach my aunt under the scrutiny of the valkyries.
I suddenly wish I had attended Valengard Academy so I would know the proper way to greet a group of valkyries. I’m sure that’s something Professor Greentree teaches in her royal etiquette class, but since I didn’t have the chance to receive such an education, I do what comes naturally and curtsy in front of them after I reach my aunt’s side. Corym stands rigid between us and the valkyrie who witnessed his crime.
“Princess Sarah,” one of the valkyries sitting in the royal box says to me. I lift my gaze to meet her eyes. Her smooth caramel-colored skin complements her long dark wavy hair, chestnut brown eyes, and naturally soft pink lips. She holds her head tilted up slightly, but I don’t get the impression she means it as a slight or believes herself to be superior to me. She’s simply used to having people do what she wants without question, and apparently, she wants something from me. “My name is Kindra. This is Bryn,” she says, turning her head to the young blonde sitting to her right who looks like a picture-perfect pixie. “And I believe you met Ardis at the farewell ceremony.”
The valkyrie standing on the other side of Corym nods her head at me in a silent greeting.
“We weren’t formally introduced,” I say. “But yes, I remember her presiding over the funeral.”
“We were told that you would like to say a few words on Corym’s behalf,” Kindra says, narrowing her eyes at me as if she doubts anything I say will change her mind. “Why?”
I clear my throat because I know the next few words that come out of my mouth will either save Corym’s life or seal his fate forever. No pressure …
“It was brought to my attention that you plan to execute Corym, and I don’t believe his actions warrant such a sentence. I understand that I have a lot to learn about this world and your rules, but on Earth, what he did would only be considered attempted murder. He didn’t actually kill anyone during his outburst.”
Kindra lets out a derisive laugh. “You call what he did merely an outburst?” she asks incredulously. “Do you believe him to be some sort of petulant child who should simply have his wrists slapped and be let go? He tried to kill you, the next heir to House Moonshade. Don’t you believe he deserves to be punished severely for committing such a crime?”
“I don’t believe Corym was in his right mind at the time,” I argue on his behalf. “His grief over losing his father caused him to react on emotion alone. I think we’ve all experienced those types of moments at some point in our lives.”
“And would you still be this forgiving,” she says, pushing her hands against the arms of the throne as she stands, “if I told you that Corym still wants to kill you?”
I have to say, I didn’t see that question coming.
“I’m sure it will take a long time before he’s able to work through his anguish over losing his father,” I answer, finding a way out of a yes or no answer. “I believe giving Corym a second chance would be a fitting way to honor the memory of Galather Windfree and the great sacrifice he made to save my life. Corym has it in him to be a better man if his father is any indication.”
“I see,” Kindra says, not looking very impressed by my reasoning. “Are you implying that people are genetically predisposed to follow in their parents’ footsteps?”
“That’s not exactly what I mean,” I reply. “All I’m saying is that Corym was raised by a good man who more than likely tried to pass on his virtues and sense of morality.”
“Your logic isn’t very sound,” Kindra scoffs. “From what you’re saying, every murderer in the history of the universe turned out that way because they had bad parents.”
“My father was an honorable man,” Corym says defensively, finally breaking his silence, “and he didn’t deserve to die just so this bitch could live.”
I gasp in surprise. It’s not so much because of what Corym said, but the viciousness with which he made his statement.
“Princess Sarah,” Ardis says to me, drawing my attention away from Corym to her, “did you know that if a valkyrie asks someone a question, they have to answer it truthfully?”
Slowly, I shake my head, wondering if I’m about to be asked something I may not want to answer.
“Corym,” Ardis says, looking back at Galather’s son, “if we let you go, what is the first thing you will do?”
“Kill Princess Sarah,” he says, looking at me defiantly. I get the impression he would have spoken the truth even if he wasn’t being compelled to by Ardis.
“And if Princess Sarah isn’t on Alfheim at the time of your release, what will you do?”
“Kill Queen Shael.”
My heart sinks after hearing his answers because I fear he has doomed his one and only chance of remaining alive.
“Do you still believe he should be forgiven and released back into the world, Princess Sarah?” Kindra asks me.
I honestly don’t know what to say. A threat against me is one thing, but a threat against my aunt is something entirely different.
“I would …” Shael begins to say until Kindra holds up a delicate hand, palm forward to stop her from finishing her statement.
“Please, Shael,” she says gently, “we would like to learn more about your niece in this moment. As the future queen of the alfar, she may face such a dilemma again and not have adequate council.” I notice Kindra’s eyes briefly dart in Julian’s direction. Does she believe Julian isn’t qualified to act as my sentinel and chief advisor? Her physical tell would seem to indicate so. “We would like to know what she believes we should do with Corym.”
“I believe,” I say, finding my voice again, “that Corym should still be given a second chance. No, I don’t think he’s ready to be returned to his family, but I don’t believe he should be put to death either. If his punishment is my decision to make, I would return him to prison in order to work through his issues concerning me and my aunt. After a period of time, you should ask him again what his intentions are toward us. If he is able to get over his vendetta against my family, then he should be released.”
“Then you believe time will heal him?” Kindra asks, sounding doubtful. “And what if it doesn’t? What if, let’s say ten years from now, he still feels the same way about you and Shael? What would you like to see happen to him then?”
“If he doesn’t change,” I reply, “then he should remain in jail until the day he dies.”
“I would rather die now,” Corym tells me, practically foaming at the mouth with his rage, “than sit in a jail cell for the next fifty years while you force the alfar back into the dark ages.”
“Do you think the way you’re acting would make your father proud?” I ask Corym, hoping to shame him into acting civil. “Don’t you want to be given the chance to go back to your family?”
“Hopefully, one of my children will avenge my death and finish what I started,” he snarls.
Never in my life have I ever been on the receiving end of so much raw hatred. Involuntarily, I shiver slightly from the way Corym’s anger seems to fill the air around me, making it feel thick with dark emotions. I finally realize that time may not be enough to heal Corym’s wounds and allow him to see past his hate.
“Kindra,” Bryn, the only valkyrie who hasn’t spoken yet, says as she looks over at the other woman while remaining seated on her borrowed throne, “perhaps we should consider the princess’s wishes in this matter.”
I’m not sure who is more shocked by Bryn’s suggestion: Kindra or me.
“I only brought you to observe what happens here today, not give an opinion,” Kindra scolds Bryn gently. I can tell that she feels a protective love toward Bryn and doesn’t want to shame her for speaking her mind in front of us.
“Sometimes I think you forget that I’m a valkyrie too,” Bryn says defensively. “I may be young, but I can think for myself.”
Kindra considers Bryn for a moment. Her emotions are mixed. She feels pride in the young valkyrie but also worry. Youth can lead you down a dangerous path if you don’t know where to place your feet. Although I’m grateful to Bryn for taking my side in this matter, I’m not sure it will help my cause. That is, until I feel Kindra’s feelings change from hard-core refusal to acceptance as she considers Bryn’s suggestion. When Kindra looks back at me, I feel a surge of newfound hope that all isn’t lost.
“Corym Windfree,” Kindra says, looking back at him, “for attempting to murder Princess Sarah Moonshade, I hereby sentence you to remain in prison until death by natural causes. I hope this reprieve grants you enough time to save your immortal soul. It is my hope that your punishment will dissuade other would-be assassins and make them think twice before following through with their plans against the Moonshade family.”
I can’t say Kindra’s words bring me much comfort. What other would-be assassins? Just how many people want to see me dead?
“Princess Sarah,” Kindra says, “is this sentence agreeable to you?”
