“Well, it’s their loss.” Jaenelle Saetien sounded as if the party was ruined because Jhett and Arlene couldn’t attend.
Unable to think of anything to say, Titian shrugged. “We’ll meet you at the school gate to ride to the landing web.”
Jaenelle Saetien nodded. “Don’t be late, all right?”
Titian returned to her room, thought a moment, then put on her winter cape and went out to find Lord Weston. It turned out that while she’d been talking to Jaenelle Saetien, Zoey had talked to Weston about the two friends who would be staying at the school. He, in turn, had informed Daemonar and had also sent a guard to SaDiablo Hall with a note from Zoey to let Prince Sadi know the change in the guest list.
She hoped Jaenelle Saetien remembered to do the same thing. She hoped Jaenelle Saetien had already sent a message to Uncle Daemon telling him about the change in their arrival time. When dealing with Warlord Princes, informing them about a schedule change wasn’t just courtesy, especially when a Queen was among the travelers. It was the only way to keep them from reacting as if being late was a declaration of war.
Jaenelle Saetien knew that as well as she did, so her cousin had to have informed Uncle Daemon about the girls arriving later than expected.
It wasn’t until she was back in her room, selecting a book to take with her in case there wasn’t time to look through any of the Hall’s libraries for a book to borrow, that she wondered if all this sharp attention on a girls’ house party was because Zoey was a Queen and this was what it would always be like for a Queen, or if the men, warriors all, had another reason for that attention.
“We’ve prepared twenty guest rooms, as requested,” Beale said. “Mrs. Beale has prepared finger foods for the afternoon and a buffet to be served in the dining room for the evening meal. While Lady Jaenelle Saetien requested a couple of dishes that are favorites of Lady Zoela and Lady Titian, she didn’t indicate if the evening meal was to be formal or informal. When Lady Angelline and the coven dined without male company, they preferred a buffet, so Mrs. Beale made the same kind of plans for this dinner.”
“Very good.” Daemon stepped away from his desk and accepted the note a footman brought on a salver.
“There aren’t twenty guests on the list you provided.”
“I know. I expect there will be four last-minute additions.” Recognizing Zoey’s handwriting, he opened the note. “Ah. Two of the girls on the original list are ‘feeling too delicate to attend the party,’ but would be much improved in three days.” He smiled. “An interesting way to describe a girl’s moontime, don’t you think?”
“Perhaps she didn’t want you to blush,” Beale said, returning the smile.
Daemon huffed out a laugh. “Zoey will eventually have a moontime when she’s around Lucivar, and then she’ll learn in a hurry that nothing about dealing with a female body makes him blush.” He paused. “Of course, being a Queen, she’s probably never had anyone pick her up and toss her on a bed because he’s decided she needs a nap.”
“With Prince Yaslana, his sister, and her coven, it was a bit like watching sheepherding contests at the harvest fair,” Beale observed. “Especially when the Ladies tried to bolt and the Scelties jumped in to help him with the herding.”
Daemon choked.
“Quite entertaining for the staff,” Beale finished.
“I’m sure it was.” His amusement faded as he considered the two girls who would not be attending the house party. Jhett was a natural Black Widow; Arlene was a natural Healer. Strong assets for a Queen’s court. Assets Dhemlan couldn’t afford to lose.
Using Craft, Daemon turned the small clock on his desk so that he could see it from where he stood. “Beale, why would Lady Zoela write to tell me two guests won’t be attending?”
“Courtesy?”
“That, yes. But the girls should be arriving on the heels of my receiving this. Knowing now won’t change preparations.” His temper sharpened and turned cold. “Unless the girls aren’t going to arrive until much later today.”
“There was no other note,” Beale said, anticipating the question.
They heard the knock on the front door. A minute later, a footman hurried into the study with another message.
Daemon read that one and felt his temper become a little sharper, a little colder. “The Coach driver says Jaenelle Saetien rescheduled the time of departure. The girls won’t be arriving until around sunset.”
“Should I tell Mrs. Beale to delay the evening meal? Otherwise, the Ladies won’t have time to do more than get settled in their rooms and change for dinner.”
“No. My daughter did not inform me of any change in the girls’ arrival, so dinner will be served as planned. Confirm the time with Mrs. Beale, then return here. I need to talk to you, Holt, and Surreal.”
When Beale left to tell Holt he was needed and to confirm the time the buffet would be served, Daemon gave Surreal a light psychic tap. *We need to talk. Now.*
*Problem?* she asked.
He didn’t reply because the need to deny what every instinct told him was going to happen tonight was so strong, he felt ill. And the possibility that his daughter had knowingly participated in planning tonight’s vicious game was a knife twisting in his gut.
He considered going to Amdarh now and personally escorting Zoey, Titian, and their group of friends to the Hall to destroy any possibility of them being attacked on their way to the Coach. He considered cornering Jaenelle Saetien and demanding an explanation for this game she was playing.
Then he considered the girls who had been broken, considered what even he couldn’t do without sufficient proof of who was responsible.
And then he considered how many more years Zoey and other strong young witches would be vulnerable to this particular kind of attack, and how the enemy might choose another time and place when Zoey had far less protection.
So they would all play the game tonight.
May the Darkness have mercy on the survivors.
While he waited for them, he reached for Daemonar, using a Green psychic thread. *Prince Yaslana.*
*Sir?*
*Have the Ladies coming to the house party left the school yet?*
*No. Titian said the departure was rescheduled, and they’re now going to arrive at the Hall around sunset.* A pause. *Jaenelle Saetien didn’t tell you?*
*No, she didn’t.* Changing travel plans without telling him when one of the travelers was a Queen? Even if it was forgetfulness caused by excitement, it was also an insolence that could not be tolerated. *I want you at the town house tonight. I want Lord Beron there as well.*
*I was going to stay at the school. A couple of Zoey’s friends—*
*I know about them. Prince Chaosti and his fist of men will guard the girls. Your presence at the school tonight might alert someone and cause a change of plans. I will let this game play out here so that we aren’t blindsided at another time when the girls are more vulnerable. You will give Chaosti the names of the boys who Zoey considers friends. They will be kept under watch in case they, too, need protection. Also, tell Prince Raine to stay at the school and stay available. His services may be required tonight.*
*Sir? Are we preparing for a fight?*
I’m not going to give the enemy a chance to fight. *Possibly.*
Daemon broke the link with Daemonar when Surreal walked into the study, followed by Holt and Beale.
Daemon handed her both notes.
Surreal read them and hissed out a breath. “No word from Jaenelle Saetien?”
“None.”
She frowned. “This is a girls’ party. Where is the cock and balls who will oblige Delora and claim Zoey wanted him too desperately to wait for a proper Virgin Night?”