He left, and I flinched as he slammed the door behind him. I took that as a sign I had succeeded in my goal to hurt him, though to my own detriment, because I did not like that he had left before we could discuss High Council. I wanted to know his agenda, and I wished to communicate mine without the noblesse present. I did not trust that they would support me. Though it was not as if I wanted something that did not align with Adrian’s goal of conquering Cordova.

I wanted to return to Lara, and I wanted to invade Vela to rescue my mother’s people. And nothing about my current situation felt like it would make those things easy.

I left Adrian’s room for my own and summoned Violeta and Vesna with a pull of the servant’s bell. I wanted to get ready as soon as possible, hoping to check on the wounded in the great hall before High Council. Grimly, I wondered if anyone had survived.

Violeta arrived, followed shortly by Vesna, who carried a tray with tea and toast.

“Good morning, my queen,” said Violeta. “Are you well?”

“I am all right,” I said, unable to lie completely. In truth, I did not know. As I had so many times in my life, I was faced with something I had never expected, never wanted, and while marriage to Adrian had become something far more passionate and meaningful than I had ever believed, I failed to see the value in the ability to shift into the form of an aufhocker. I’d have much rather been a falcon or crow—something with wings so that I might collect my own intel on Lara and Vela.

Instead, I was a mindless creature with a thirst for blood.

And I was angry with Adrian for dismissing my fear.

“I wish to get ready quickly,” I said. “I would like to check on the wounded.”

Violeta did not speak, and her silence somehow seemed far more unsettling. My gaze shifted to Vesna, who was pouring tea.

“Are your sisters and mother well, Vesna?”

“They are,” she said, though her voice trembled. She cleared her throat and added, “Just shaken.”

“I think we all are,” I said.

“Do you think it will happen again?” she asked.

“I cannot say,” I said. As badly as I wished to promise it would never happen again, I couldn’t. We did not know why the creatures had attacked anyway. Even in the night, we had never worried about an entire pack ravaging a village. In fact, it was far more usual for aufhockers to remain hidden, feasting on small prey unless a villager or two wandered into their territory.

But these had seemed possessed.

“A preference on dress?” Violeta asked.

I often let her choose my outfits, but today I intended to draw attention.