I froze for a few moments but it felt like hours as everybody stared my way. I had so much to say but would they even listen?

“You don’t have to,” Velador said but I stood up without thinking.

I exhaled slowly and wished vampires were immune to anxiety. “Good morning,” I said and realized I spoke far too low. “Good morning,” I stated at a better volume. “Thank you for the invitation to this summit. I have been the duchess of the Avenadyn at my husband’s ...