Snow

The King's Summons

I was taken to the servants' quarters while Felix and his brothers went to see the king.

I didn't argue.

Part of me was relieved.

I had no desire to stand inside a room filled with powerful vampires while their sick king lay before them.

Another part of me hated being separated from Felix.

Not because I wanted to be near him.

Because I knew what happened when I didn't know where I stood.

With Felix, uncertainty was dangerous.

The maid who had brought me there gave me a quick look.

"Wait here."

I nodded.

She walked away, leaving me alone in a small sitting room.

I sat near the window.

From where I was, I could see part of the courtyard below. Servants moved through it carrying trays, clothing, documents, and other things I couldn't identify.

Everyone seemed busy.

Everyone seemed tense.

I wondered what was happening behind the enormous doors where the king was speaking to his sons.

I wondered what kind of man could summon all four of his children while he was this sick.

And why now?

---

Inside the king's chamber, the four princes stood before their father.

The room was dark despite the morning.

Heavy curtains covered most of the windows, keeping the sunlight outside. Several candles burned around the enormous bed, their flames flickering softly.

The king looked smaller than he did in the portrait.

Much smaller.

His skin was pale.

His breathing was slow.

The physicians had done everything they could, but even they knew his condition was worsening.

Sebastian stood closest to the bed.

The second prince and third prince stood behind him.

Felix remained slightly apart from them.

For several seconds, nobody spoke.

Then the king opened his eyes.

"My sons."

His voice was weak.

But every prince immediately straightened.

"Father," Sebastian said.

The king looked at each of them.

One.

Two.

Three.

Four.

His gaze rested on Felix last.

"You came."

Felix's jaw tightened.

"You summoned me."

"I summoned all of you."

Sebastian exchanged a brief glance with his brothers.

The king slowly pushed himself higher against the pillows.

"I don't know how much time I have left."

Silence.

"Father—"

"No."

The king lifted a trembling hand.

"Let me speak."

Sebastian lowered his head.

The king looked toward him.

"You have carried the responsibilities of this family while I have been ill."

Sebastian said nothing.

"You have done well."

"Thank you, Father."

The king's gaze moved to the other princes.

"But a kingdom cannot be held together by one son."

The room grew heavier.

"You were summoned because I need all four of you to understand what happens next."

Felix's eyes narrowed.

"What happens next?"

The king looked at him.

"The future of this kingdom."

Felix leaned back slightly.

Sebastian remained perfectly still.

The king continued.

"Our enemies have become bolder."

That caught their attention.

"There are whispers among the vampire houses. Some believe this family is becoming weak because I am ill."

His breathing became strained.

Sebastian stepped forward.

"Father, you should rest."

"I will rest when I'm finished."

The king looked toward the ceiling for a moment.

Then back at his sons.

"If I die, there will be uncertainty."

Nobody spoke.

"Some will support Sebastian."

His eyes moved toward the first prince.

"Others will look to one of you."

His gaze passed over the second and third princes.

Then finally reached Felix.

"And some will use Felix's reputation against this family."

Felix's expression hardened.

"I don't care what they think of me."

"I do."

The king's voice was weak, but the authority behind it remained.

"You are my son."

Felix looked away.

"You may not care about your reputation," the king continued, "but you carry the royal name whether you like it or not."

The words hung in the room.

Then the king looked at all four of them.

"I summoned you because I will not have my sons fighting among themselves after I am gone."

Sebastian's face remained calm.

"We won't."

The king gave him a tired look.

"You cannot promise that."

No one answered.

The king closed his eyes briefly.

"When the time comes, you will need each other."

Felix scoffed quietly.

The king opened his eyes again.

"Felix."

Felix looked at him.

"Do not mistake independence for strength."

For once, Felix didn't have a response.

The king took a slow breath.

"There is something else."

All four brothers looked at him.

"I want the four of you together when the next council meets."

Sebastian nodded.

"We will be there."

"Not just Sebastian."

The king looked directly at Felix.

"All four."

Felix's expression was unreadable.

"I understand."

The king settled back against his pillows.

"Good."

His eyes began to close.

Then he spoke again.

"Now leave me."

Sebastian bowed his head.

The four brothers turned toward the door.

But before Felix could leave, the king spoke once more.

"Felix."

Felix stopped.

"Yes?"

"Be careful who you bring into this family."

Felix's expression changed slightly.

Only slightly.

But Sebastian noticed.

So did his brothers.

The king closed his eyes.

Felix said nothing.

---

Outside the chamber, I was still waiting.

I had been staring through the window for so long that I almost didn't notice the doors opening.

The four princes walked out.

Sebastian came first.

His expression was serious.

The second and third princes followed.

Felix came last.

His face was impossible to read.

I stood immediately.

His eyes found me.

For a moment, he simply stared.

Then he walked toward me.

"Come."

I followed.

But we didn't make it far.

"Felix."

He stopped.

Sebastian's voice.

Felix slowly turned around.

"What?"

Sebastian looked at me.

Then back at Felix.

"Why is she here?"

I froze.

Felix's expression remained blank.

"She's my maid."

"I know that."

Sebastian's gaze sharpened.

"My question is why you brought her to the royal palace."

The second prince folded his arms.

"I was wondering the same thing."

The third prince nodded.

"Me too."

I suddenly wished I could disappear.

Felix glanced at me.

Then at his brothers.

"She came with me."

"That isn't an answer," Sebastian said.

Felix's eyes narrowed.

"It's the only one you're getting."

The second prince gave a small laugh.

"Since when do you take servants on family visits?"

Felix didn't answer.

"Exactly," he continued. "You don't."

I kept my eyes lowered.

I didn't want them talking about me as though I wasn't standing there.

Sebastian seemed to notice.

His expression softened slightly.

"Snow."

I looked up.

"Yes, my prince?"

"Did Felix order you to come?"

I hesitated.

"Yes."

Felix's eyes flicked toward me.

The second prince raised an eyebrow.

"So you didn't ask to come?"

"No."

"Why not?"

I looked at him.

"Because I am his maid."

It was the safest answer.

He studied me for a moment.

Then he looked at Felix.

"You've never brought a human servant here before."

Felix's voice became colder.

"I don't remember asking for your opinion."

The prince smiled.

"I didn't give one."

Sebastian stepped between them.

"Enough."

Everyone fell silent.

Sebastian looked at Felix.

"Father is already concerned about the family."

Felix's expression changed.

"What does that have to do with her?"

"Everything."

Sebastian glanced toward me.

"You brought an unknown human into the royal palace at a time when Father believes there may be enemies watching this family."

Felix stared at him.

"She's not an enemy."

"You know that."

Sebastian paused.

"Do we?"

My stomach tightened.

I had no idea why his words bothered me so much.

Maybe because I knew exactly what I was to them.

A human.

A servant.

An outsider.

And no matter how beautiful their palace was, I didn't belong here.

Felix stepped closer to Sebastian.

"She's staying."

Sebastian held his gaze.

"Why?"

For several seconds, Felix said nothing.

Then he turned away.

"Because I said so."

He walked past them.

I hurried after him.

Behind us, the second prince whispered,

"He's hiding something."

Sebastian didn't answer.

The third prince watched Felix disappear down the corridor.

Then he said quietly,

"He's never cared about a servant before."

Sebastian's eyes remained fixed on the direction Felix had gone.

"No."

His voice was thoughtful.

"He hasn't."

---

I followed Felix through the corridor.

Neither of us spoke.

Finally, I gathered enough courage to ask,

"Is your father going to be okay?"

Felix stopped.

I nearly walked into him.

He turned around.

For a moment, I expected him to tell me not to ask questions.

Instead, his expression was strangely distant.

"I don't know."

It was the first time I'd heard those words from him.

I stared at him.

Felix looked toward the closed doors behind us.

Then he said quietly,

"That's why he summoned us."

He started walking again.

I followed.

But now I understood something.

The king hadn't summoned his sons because he wanted a family meeting.

He had summoned them because he believed he might not have much time left.

And somehow, in the middle of all that—

I had become a question his sons couldn't stop asking.

Why was I here?

Why had Felix brought me?

And why did he seem so determined that I stay?