Page 89 of A Monarch's Fall

“Well?” he prompted.

“The girl was under a blood oath, Adamantia has spent the time since the attack breaking it,” I told him.

He laughed and took a large gulp from his glass.

“That sounds exactly like Ada. I presume she was successful?”

“She was.”

“So, what is this intelligence?” he asked, irritation creeping into his voice.

“She believes that The New Foundation is planning an attack on the closing ceremony of the conference,” I answered, and saw surprise flash across his face. I wondered if he had been expecting me to speak of Vlad and Obscurum instead.

“Thank you for bringing this to my attention. I will share this new information with General Creel and his team. Did Ada give any more information about this attack?” he asked.

“No, unfortunately.”

“Very well, you also wished to discuss the conference?”

“That’s all you have to say? The closing and opening ceremonies are the most highly attended events within the kingdom; nearly every House leader attends. You seem unworried that the greatest threat Borealis has faced in over a generation has plans to attack us.”

“I am not unworried. I will share the intelligence with General Creel, who will take this and all other threats we are currently aware of into account when planning and updating security forthe conference. Now, speaking of the conference, what did you want to discuss?” he asked.

“As you know, I am representing House Ardens at this conference, yet I have not received my table talk schedule. I presume this is an oversight,” I told him.

Each conference consisted of the opening ceremony, a schedule of tabled talks, followed by proposals and voting. After all voting had been completed, the new policies and laws were scheduled for implementation, and the closing ceremony ended the conference for another five years.

“You have yet to receive your schedule?” he asked as if he were unaware.

“That’s what I said,” I answered.

“Selene,” he warned.

“I have not received my schedule. I am the leader of a House. I intend to represent Ardens’ interests,” I told him.

“I will ensure that you receive a table talk schedule before the conference begins. Is there anything else?” he asked.

“No,” I answered.

“Good. Drink the blood,” he instructed.

“I told you I’m not thirsty,” I said.

“You look ill, Selene,” he chastised. “Drink!”

“Your fatherly concern warms my heart.”

“Selene —”

“I am capable of handling my own affairs, am I not? Do not feign concern for my well-being now, Father,” I warned.

“Selene, I thought we had an understanding from our last meeting,” he replied.

“We do,” I answered and stood from the table. “And I can take care of myself,” I told him as I walked to the door. “I’ll tell Rylan to anticipate my schedule for the conference,” I said as I left the dining room.

Father’s disinterest in a planned attack and his odd attempt to manipulate me via Vlad were suspicious; I knew my lack of a conference schedule was not a simple oversight, no House had ever been forgotten before, and the conference was meticulously planned. He had deliberately excluded me.

Chapter twenty-one