371 The Day of the Meeting
371 The Day of the Meeting
<i>Meredith</i><i>. </i>
Morning came softly, the pale gold light stretching across my room like a whisper.
For a long moment, I just sat up in bed, listening to the faint rustle of the curtains and the distant hum of life
in the estate.
Today wasn’t just any day; it was the day Draven would meet Mayor Brackham face–to–face.
Just then, a knock sounded on the door leading to the bathroom, drawing my attention.
“Mydy,” Azul called out to me gently as she stood at the open door with a bright,posed smile that always managed to soothe my nerves. “Your bath is ready,” she said softly.
I nodded, rising from the bed and wrapping a silk robe around me. “Thank you, Azul.”
Steam greeted me as I entered the adjoining bath chamber. The scent ofvender, rosewood, and
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something faintly citrusy filled the air–warm, calming, the kind of fragrance that seemed to wrap itself around you likefort.
The surface of the water shimmered with scattered petals of lc, pink, and white.
Azul busied herself lighting another candle on the counter. “You have a long day ahead, mydy. You should start it feeling light.”
“And you are right.” I smiled faintly.
She left me alone, closing the door behind her, and I slipped into the bath.
The warmth spread through me instantly, drawing the tension from my shoulders and slowing my heartbeat. I closed my eyes, letting my head fall back against the rim.
My thoughts wandered to Draven, to the meeting, and to the strange satisfaction I had seen in his eyes
yesterday at noon when we reviewed our ns onest time.
He thrived on control, on reading people before they
371 The Day of the Meeting
could speak. And today, I would do the same, but only through their minds.
Valmora’s voice surfaced like a ripple beneath the
water.
<i>“</i><i>You </i>must <i>keep </i><i>your </i>emotions <i>in </i><i>check</i>. Men <i>like </i>Brackham wear masks<i>, </i><i>but </i>his <i>thoughts </i>will <i>show </i><i>you </i><i>what </i><i>lies </i><i>beneath</i><i>.</i><i>” </i>
“I <i>know</i>,” I murmured under my breath. <i>“</i><i>And </i><i>if </i>I see <i>something </i>dangerous<i>?</i><i>” </i>
<i>“</i><i>You </i><i>will </i><i>know </i><i>what </i><i>to </i><i>do</i><i>,</i>” she replied, her tone almost approving.
When I finally stood, the air was cool against my damp skin. Azul returned almost immediately, helping me wrap myself in a towel before leading me into the dressing room, where the others were already waiting.
The moment they saw me, their faces lit up.
“Good morning, mydy,” Kira said, bowing slightly as the rest followed suit.
“Good morning,” I returned with a smile.
371 The Day of the Meeting
Arya was already arranging the outfitid neatly on the rack–a tailored lc suit dress, fitted at the waist with a soft sheen that caught the morning light.
Though it wasn’t too loud, it held authority, dignified and feminine.
“Perfect,” I said under my breath.
“The colour brings out your eyes, mydy,” Cora said with a proud smile. “No one will look away from you. today.”
Deidra began drying and brushing out my hair,
humming softly. “The Mayor will be too nervous to blink.”
Iughed lightly. “Let’s hope so.”
Once I was dressed, Kira sped the ne around my neck. I reached up to touch it, the cool metal grounding me.
Azul stood back, sping her hands. “You look powerful, mydy.”
I turned towards the mirror and examined my
reflection—sleek hair styled into an elegant updo, light
371 The Day of the Meeting
makeup highlighting the lc shade of my dress and the violet hue of my eyes.
I didn’t just look ready, I felt it.
Just then, Azul stepped forward with my purse and heels. “My Lady, the Alpha is waiting for you at the dining hall.”
I smiled at her, straightened my shoulders, and took one final breath before leaving the dressing room.
The soft click of my heels echoed along the corridor as I made my way down the grand staircase.
The air smelled faintly of coffee and toasted bread-
the quiet, steady rhythm of mornings here in the
estate.
When I entered the dining hall, all three of them were already there.
Draven sat at the head of the table, dressed in a dark, tailored suit that looked made for power itself. Dennis and Jeffery were seated to his left, halfway through
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their meal.
The moment Draven’s eyes lifted and found me, something in his expression softened just a little.
“Good morning, my love,” he greeted. His voice carried warmth, but beneath it, there was steel–that
calcting stillness he always wore before a major
move.
“Good morning,” I replied, taking the seat to his right.
Dennis grinned as soon as I sat down. “You are looking like royalty today, Luna. Mayor Brackham won’t know whether to greet you or kneel.”
Jeffery smirked, shaking his head. “You had better focus on keeping your mouth shut during the meeting, Dennis, before Draven tells you to wait in the car.”
Dennis only chuckled, lifting his cup. “No promises.”
I rolled my eyes but smiled. “You both seem unusually cheerful for a day that might end with a deration of
war.”
“That’s because,” Draven said smoothly, cutting into his food, “we are the ones holding all the cards.”
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His calm confidence drew silence for a moment. Even the clink of cutlery seemed to fade.
The conversation that followed was light butced with strategy. Draven reminded Dennis and Jeffery to keep the mind–link clear once we entered the
government house, only using it for essentialmunication.
I watched him as he spoke, every word measured, and every tone controlled. He was the kind of man who could turn tension intoposure, chaos into precision. And today, I had to match that energy.
“Remember,” Draven continued, “our purpose today is simple. We observe, we listen, and we find what we came for. No unnecessary violence unless provoked.”
Dennis gave a short nod. “Understood.”
Jeffery added, “Brackham will fail if he tries to y politics with us.”
When the tes were cleared, a servant poured fresh coffee into the cups. I stirred mine absentmindedly, ncing toward the tall windows where sunlight pooled over the floors.
371 The Day of the Meeting
“Do you think he will look nervous?” Dennis asked suddenly, his tone amused. “I mean, knowing what happened thest time his soldiers faced vampires?”
Draven didn’t look up. “He will try to hide it,” he said. “Men like Brackham always do. But we will see through
him.”
Valmora’s whisper stirred faintly at the back of my mind. <i>“</i><i>And </i><i>you</i>, <i>my </i>dear, <i>will </i>hear <i>what </i><i>he </i>cannot <i>hide</i>.<i>” </i>
I lifted the cup to my lips, concealing a small smile.
The clock on the far wall chimed softly—a reminder that time was slipping closer to ten. Draven pushed his chair back, signalling the end of breakfast.
“Let’s go,” he said, standing with quiet authority. “We make men like Brackham wait for us.”
Dennis chuckled under his breath. “I love it when he says things like that.”
Jeffery just muttered, “That’s only because you are a
menace.”
Draven nced at me, a hint of a smirk touching his
371 The Day of the Meeting
lips. “Ready?”
I rose, smoothing the fabric of my lc suit dress. “Always.”
As we stepped out of the dining hall, the servants bowed and opened the grand doors leading to the front courtyard.
The sleek ck cars were already lined up in formation, the drivers waiting.
Draven led the way, his hand brushing briefly against mine before he opened the rear door for me.
By the time the convoy rolled out through the gates, my heart had steadied into a rhythm that matched the hum of the engines.
Cede
<strong>Cede</strong> is a passionate storyteller known for her bold romantic and spicy novels that keep readers hooked from the very first chapter. With a ir for crafting emotionally intense plots and unforgettable characters, she blends love, desire, and drama into every story she writes. Cede’s storytelling style is immersive and addictive—perfect for fans of heated romances and heart-pounding twists.