When the Lilithian stepped back into the crowd, Walter stood up from his House table to my left and wandered forward, flipping pages in his notepad. “Your Majesty, Queen Amara, I present Derek Hill, of the Lower House.”
I smiled at Derek, who bowed, smiling back as he stood; he had an eager kind of grin—small eyes, bright with intelligence and what I read as a lust for life—proverbially—not the kind he usually lusted after, being that he was a vampire. My stomach growled.
“Your Majesty, first of all, congratulations on this special day.”
“Thank you, Derek.” I gave a soft nod. “And, what can I do for you today?”
“I am here to address the new laws of Vampire Sets.”
“Go on.”
“We are thrilled with the recent decision that those under your rule are free from their Set, but were unclear on a few of the restrictions.”
“Okay, what did you want to know?”
“Several of my people wish to partake in career paths which may lead to one being widely noticed.”
“Like famous?”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
I looked over at Morgaine. She did warn me that simply allowing vampires to be under my rule without issuing guidelines would be a bad idea. But I never thought of anything like fame. I guess I just assumed free meant free.
“Declined,” Walter said, without even looking up.
“Now, hang on a sec.” I stood up. “Why?”
“Queen Amara, you know the reasons we have the laws we do. Even when Lilith ruled, this restriction applied to Lilithians also, not just vampires. We must not be a spectacle in the public eye.”
“Why, because we don't age?”
“That, and people may study us too closely, come to conclusions about what we are.”
“Walter, were you not in the Queen’s Navy—when Lilith ruled?”
“Yes, Your Majesty, but—”
“Then you were well-known?”
“Yes, but it differs greatly to one seeking world fame in modern society.”
“Right. Okay, so…” I looked back at Derek. “What kinds of careers are we talking?”
“I have two bands and an aspiring actor.”
“Denied,” Walter said, without giving the man any further chance to speak.
“Stop saying that.” I stomped my foot.
“My queen, not only is it unsafe, as it may expose us to the human world, but we have skills and experience far beyond that of a human,” Walter reasoned. “What right do we have to take rolls they could otherwise occupy?”
“By giving music to the world?” My brow arched. “Walter, what right do we have to keep music from anybody, just because we may be better than someone else? Music—any area of creativity and self-expression should belong to everyone—vampires, humans, Lilithians—whoever. It’s a gift.”
“And what about in twenty years when this famous person has not aged?” Margret said.
“With the advances in medical science now, no one would really notice,” I said.
“Well, that's not the point, Your Majesty. We stick to tradition.” Walter sat down.
“Well, I don't like it.” I sat down, too. “What does everyone else here think?”
The crowd looked among themselves, shrugging, their eyes a little wide.
“Someone speak up,” I said. “Should vampires and Lilithians be allowed to follow careers of passion, which would lead to fame?”
A hand shot up in the back of the room. “I think so, Your Majesty.”
“As do I,” another said, and it seemed to be unified. Mainly only really ancient vampires or Lilithians disapproved.
I looked at Arthur, who didn't seem to have an opinion either way. I wished he did, because I’d have ruled based on what he thought. I even gave a little nod, with wider eyes, prompting his guidance, but he just smiled apologetically.
“What kinds of music?” I finally looked back at Derek.
He glanced over his shoulder at a group of young guys, who nodded eagerly at him. “Alternative and rock.”
And I was sold.
To my right, Eric sat beside Emily, grinning widely at the vampires behind Derek. I wondered if they were in his band or if maybe he just knew them.
“So, you want to write original songs?” I looked directly at the bands.
When ushered forward, one guy stepped up and bowed quickly. “We already have, Majesty—we’ve been writing for about twenty years. But we’ve just been working the cover scene, you know, since we aren’t allowed to get noticed.”
I took a deep breath. I wanted to say yes, I really did, but Walter and the rest of the House would surely skin me if I did. Except, it wasn’t fair; none of the Ancients played music—not one from the House could even play piano. They just didn't have the passion, didn't understand the burn it caused inside you—what it took to write a song and want to share that with the world. And if someone told me I could never live that dream, just because I was bitten and turned into a vampire, I think I’d shut myself in a coffin for the rest of eternity—because that's what it would feel like anyway.
Eric gave me a reassuring smile, and the excitement in his eyes set the words to my mouth before I saw them shape in my brain. “Granted,” I said.
Walter stood, a few people gasped, but it was buried under the loud rejoicing of the major population.
Derek bowed lowly and said, “Thank you, Your Majesty.”
“You're welcome.” I turned my head to catch Eric’s eye for a second. “But you all know how to keep yourselves in check. Don't make what you are obvious and don't do anything stupid, or I will revoke your rights. Got it?”
The boys in the bands all nodded, bowing then nodding again.
“Okay. Next on the list, Walter?”
He was pissed, I could tell. But it was kind of okay, and this queen duties thing was actually pretty fun—well, most of it.
“Your Majesty, I present case number—” he looked at his notepad, “—sixty five; Mr. Hamilton and Miss Crane.”
“Hello.” I nodded to them; they both bowed nervously.
“Your Majesty.” The man knelt before me, his hand on his heart. “I am in love with this girl, and I wish to marry her. But her sister, a twin, was recently granted rights to become a vampire, by the former king. Only…” He looked back at the girl. “She didn't have the gene.”
I tensed, remembering the day I discovered that same fact about myself; the girl held back tears, standing tall and strong.