“Thank you. Now come on,” I held my arms out to her. “Twilight is nearly over. I can feel it draining away.”
It was too difficult for me to carry her, so we'd practiced a maneuver where she placed her back paws on my feet and her forelegs over my shoulders. Then I could levitate us both, and access the In-Between. She jumped up, bracing herself, and the twilight magic intensified as I lifted us just above the ground. In between earth and sky. I mentally reached for the Between and guided us through it. We rushed through the dark, safe space, and then reformed in Raza's bedroom.
“May I cut in?” Raza asked smoothly.
“Of course,” I chuckled as Cat jumped down. “Hey there, tall, dark, and dragon. How's the flower picking going?”
“It has gone well,” he slid his hands around my hips, his claws just lightly grazing me. “The kuperi have helped in the harvest.”
“Really?” I had a sudden image of the little, glowing, floating puffballs slowly bringing in the flowers, and laying them at Raza's feet, like an offering to their dragon god.
Cat's head jerked up. She hurried over to the bedroom door and growled at it a second before a knock came.
“Raza?” A feminine voice carried through the wood.
My eyes went wide as I stared at Raza. He groaned.
“Is that Daiyu?” I asked.
“I was going to tell you,” he rolled his metallic, gold eyes. “She came for another diplomatic visit.”
“Oh really?” I eased away from him. “Has she been hitting on you again?”
“Hitting me?” Raza was aghast. “As if I would put up with such behavior.”
“Making sexual advances,” I explained as I headed for the door.
“Oh. Well then, of course she has,” he said as if it was a given. Which, it kinda was.
“Let me handle this,” I went to the door and swung it open.
“Princess Seren,” Queen Daiyu's face registered surprise briefly, before settling into its usual, sassy and cynical lines. “I didn't know you were in attendance.”
“Just arrived,” I smirked. “You needed something from Raza? Cause we were just about to have sex.”
“Really?” Daiyu wasn't at all deterred by my directness. “How lovely for you. Enjoy him while you can because I was just-”
“Leaving,” Raza declared, startling her. “Were you not coming to tell me you were leaving, Queen Daiyu? Going back to the sea where you belong?”
“Are you certain you want me to leave?” Daiyu recovered gracefully. “I was told your kingdom is facing war.Mykingdom may be willing to offer you aid.”
“For what price?” I asked.
“Friendship,” Daiyu looked shocked that I would think otherwise. “We wish to cement our alliance with the Unseelie King.”
“Uh huh,” I narrowed my eyes on her. “That's why you're at his bedroom door, right? To cement your alliance. With the King, not necessarily his kingdom.”
“Something like that,” she smiled wickedly, her luscious lips stretching wide in a greedy smile.
“Who told you my kingdom is facing war?” Raza stepped forward, looking from me to Daiyu.
“Right, I was getting to that,” I looked to Daiyu. “We'll meet you downstairs, Your Majesty. Goodbye,” I shut the door in Daiyu's face and then turned to Raza. “It looks as if the elves have turned against you, and Moire is coming to claim the Unseelie crown. Possibly even attempt to put Bress on the throne.”
“What the fuck did you just say to me?” Raza growled.
“And Danu is supporting her.”
“What?!” Raza roared, sending Cat running into the bathroom. He leaned into my face, “Say that again if you please, my dearest.”
