Wild Knight (Midnight Empire: The Tower #1)(19)

“I was just getting to it,” Callan said. He seemed miffed by the interruption.

Maeron stood beside his brother’s chair and placed a casual arm across its back. “Must you leave cloaks hanging from every available surface.” He tugged the cloak from the chair and folded it over his arm.

I bit back a smile. Sibling squabbles over untidiness. Not the conversation I expected in the palace. I began to feel more at ease, although I’d have a death wish if I let down my guard completely.

“You don’t look like a knight,” Maeron said.

I raised my chin to meet his curious gaze. “And what should a knight look like in your world?”

“For starters, you don’t have the right equipment.”

“Pray tell, when was the last time any of your knights completed a quest using his penis?” I asked.

Callan choked back laughter.

Maeron smiled, showing a set of razor-sharp fangs.

Nice try, honey. I’ve seen bigger.

“And now I understand your choice, brother,” Maeron said. “Adwin should be here any moment. I passed him coming up from the cellars.”

On cue, a third vampire entered the room pushing a two-tiered cart in front of him. The side of the cart was etched in silver and both tiers were crammed with long-necked bottles. The cart alone was fancier than anything in my flat.

“Adwin is our House winemaker,” Callan said. “He’s the best in the realm.”

“That says quite a lot about you, Adwin.” Wine was a luxury the average person couldn’t afford. Vineyards failed to thrive without magical intervention, which created scarcity. Naturally the Houses had no shortage of magic helpers. As a result, they controlled production as well as prices.

Adwin smiled and I noticed that he kept his teeth square. Interesting. “They flatter me because they know I hold the key to the cellars,” he said.

There seemed to be more pleasantries involved in this meeting than I anticipated. Was I here as a knight or a guest of honor?

“What do you have for us today, old chap?” Maeron asked. “Please don’t tell me it’s another Bordeaux. I’ve had quite enough of anything French.”

Callan chuckled.

I sensed a story there, although I had no idea what it was. I didn’t follow royal gossip. Information about vampires was only of interest when it helped me avoid them.

Adwin gestured to the cart. “I have a selection as requested, Your Highness, as well as your preferred vintage.”

“Very good, Adwin,” Callan said with a nod of approval.

Maeron rolled his eyes. “Such a diva.”

His brother snorted. “Says the one who wants to avoid all things French because of one rejection.”

Nostrils flaring, Maeron whirled around to face his brother. “I was not rejected. It was a simple misunderstanding. How was I to know she was already engaged to that German twat?”

Adwin cleared his throat. “Shall I pour?”

Maeron waved a hand. “Mine first. The Basque, please.”

The winemaker uncorked a bottle and the stench nearly gagged me. This wasn’t wine.

Maeron’s vintage of choice was blood.

Adwin seemed to pick up on my apprehension because he quickly said, “A pinot noir for you, Miss Hayes? Or perhaps a claret?”

I opted for a glass of pinot noir if only to distract myself from the smell of blood. I tasted the wine and let the rich blend of flavors soak my tongue. I could count on one hand the number of times I’d enjoyed a glass of wine. The last time was when I was admitted as a Knight of Boudica. Kami and I had splurged on a bottle and split it between the two of us. The wine had been expensive but not particularly good. This bottle, on the other hand, was incredible.

“Can you believe there was a time when wine was so plentiful people spat mouthfuls into a vat?” Maeron asked.

“Abundance only leads to waste, Your Highness,” Adwin agreed.

Callan poured his own glass of wine. “I think we ought to tell our guest why she’s here.”

Please do.

“Our dear sister has gone missing,” Maeron said.

Callan shot him a disgruntled look. “A bit of finesse might have been nice.”

I swallowed hard, forcing down the mouthful of wine. “I’m sorry. Did you say the princess is missing?”

“That’s why you’re here,” Maeron said.

I cast an aggrieved look at Callan. “This is the job? Find a missing princess?”

“What’s the issue? Don’t think you’re capable?” Callan let the question hang between us.

“Davina was following a lead on a confidential matter,” Maeron interrupted. “And she seems to have gone walkabout in the process.”

Taking another sip of wine, I inhaled its intense aroma of black cherry and cinnamon. If nothing else, this glass of wine was worth the price of admission to the palace. It also helped relieve the tension in my body.

“If you expect me to track her, it would help to know what lead she was following.”

Maeron grunted. “I don’t think that’s necessary.”

“Ah, excellent. Our knight is here.” A statuesque woman entered the room wearing a floor-length dress that hugged small breasts and narrow hips. The fabric was a deep emerald green that matched Callan’s eyes—not that I’d taken special notice of them.