Page 76 of Maksym

Grace typed more slowly now: Angel King. Non-territorial authority. Significant power.

“Political ally?”

“Yes.”

She looked up. “To you personally, or to your family?”

“To my father. To our house. And, I believe, to justice when he recognizes it.”

“That is not the same thing.”

“No.”

“Good.” She typed: Possible ally, but values own righteousness. Do not assume automatic alignment beyond facts.

I had brought warlords to heel who understood less about power after centuries of ruling men.

“The Demon King is newly appointed,” I said. “Adramal. His predecessor was corrupt and was killed by Archon after serious violations. Adramal is working to establish legitimacy.”

Grace blinked once. “The Angel King killed the previous Demon King?”

“Yes.”

“And now sits in Council with the new one.”

“Yes.”

“Monster Congress sounds tense.”

“It often is.”

She typed: Demon King Adramal — new ruler, legitimacy concerns, predecessor killed by Angel King. Potential instability.

“I might mention Iron Valor was also involved in his demise. Although not by their choice, which is invariably always how it goes. But that is a story for another time.”

Remy lifted her wineglass from the small side table beside her chair. “You should see the seating arrangements at Council. That is where the true brutality lives.”

“I am not surprised,” Grace said. “Every court I ever entered had at least one judge who could start a war with a seating chart.”

I inclined my head. “Then you understand more than you think.”

Her eyes lifted to mine. I wanted to touch her. I did not.

“The vampire representation has more balance now than in the past,” I said.

Her attention sharpened.

“I am King of the Western vampire territory. My kingdom covers the western United States. I answer to my father.”

“Kazimir,” she said.

“The King of Kings.”

She typed the title, then paused as if it offended some constitutional principle in her soul.

“My father technically represents the Eastern United States territory on the Council,” I continued. “In practice, that is an inadequate description of his authority.”

Grace stopped typing entirely.