(SOLAN)
If I open my mouth to reprimand Lysandra right now, a rivulet of curses will be released into the world the likes of which no one has heard before.
I have already tried politely, asking her to stop verbally assaulting Ina. When that didn't work, I ordered her with a mind message, one she clearly chose to ignore in the same way she failed to mind the decree I sent out earlier.
No, Lysandra is out of control, and she's doing her best to push me beyond my limits.
I should've known better than to bring Ina here. I knew that Lysandra wouldn't like it. Despite our agreement that neither of us is romantically limited in our relationship, Lysandra sees any other female I take any interest in whatsoever as a threat to her position as the future queen of Crescent Peak.
So even if Ina really was overweight, as Lysandra tried to imply, if she had a snaggletooth and beady eyes, body odour and excessive mucus issues, Lysandra would see her as a potential rival.
And Lysandra loves the energy a rivalry brings her. She thinks it puts her in her element, that it makes her seem more powerful as she uses what she would refer to as wit to poke and jab at her enemy. It's nothing but bullying, and for Lysandra, it tends to work because there are few with the same station that she holds. Those beneath her feel subservient already, and her chiding just makes it worse.
I should keep my mouth shut and make it through this dinner rather than try to defend Ina because it will do nothing but cause an argument, and though there are no other visiting dignitaries at the table, I know better than to cause a scene in front of my mother. She may be queen only in name now, but I still respect her. Already, she is giving me sharp looks from the other end of the table.
"Lysandra," I try again, breathing deeply, "why don't you tell us more about the wedding?" It's the only topic that is safe at the moment.
As Lysandra begins to describe various aspects of the wedding, I finish my blood and sit back in my chair. I won't be attempting to eat any food tonight, not after the day I've had.
Food is fine for vampires, generally speaking, but it doesn't do us much good nutritionally, and it is often tricky for our bodies to digest when we eat in excess. The way I'm feeling right now, I may as well ensure I don't cause myself any unnecessary suffering later.
Listening to Lysandra causes enough suffering for even a vampire's lifetime.
My eyes fall on Ina as Lysandra discusses the problem with the moon we settled earlier. Ina appears to be paying attention to the princess, but I don't think she truly is.
She isn't really eating. It's more of a march of food around her plate, with the occasional small bite slid between her lips. I can imagine a day like this would leave one without much of an appetite.
I don't like the way Brennan is protecting her.
He's sitting too close to her. He's made one too many overly protective comments to Lysandra or Rowan. It's not that I don't appreciate him sticking up for Ina, but he seems to be taking a liking to her beyond his normal accepting self.
Brennan knows a good person from a bad one from the moment he meets them, and he will embrace a good person as if they have always been friends, while making life miserable for anyone who doesn't meet his moral criteria. It is why he hates my brother so fiercely but would do anything in the world for me.
He knows that Ina is a good person, so he will do whatever it takes to make her feel welcome here, and to me, that looks a bit too much like… something else. Like genuine interest.
I don't like it.
Lysandra pauses to take a drink of her blood, and Rowan takes the opportunity to steer the conversation in a new direction. "You have a sister?" he asks Ina, and I immediately sense her body tensing up, even from two seats away.
Quietly, she says, "I do."
"But you have different mothers?" It's more of a statement than a question when Rowan asks. I wonder why he suddenly knows so much about Tanner pack. He never took any interest in them when we were actively waging war against them. I was on the battlefield nearly every day for two years. Where the fuck was he? We are allies, after all.
"That's right," Ina says, and Brennan's right hand disappears beneath the table again. Is he… touching her?