“Yeselda,” she said and shook his hand. “It's a pleasure to meet you, President.”
“Excuse me, Ma'am, but may I inspect the room before the President enters?” a woman in a suit asked.
“My guard,” President Lopez whispered to Yeselda.
She smiled and stepped aside to wave the Secret Service agent in. “Yes, of course. We aren't having classes today so there is only me here.”
“You're the teacher?”
“Yes, I spent a month in Washington D.C. learning about your country with a man you assigned to teach me.”
“Oh! Yes, I recall that. So that was you?” He beamed at her.
“Yes. I brought many books back with me and maps to prepare the faeries who wish to travel to America. I hope my curriculum meets with your approval.”
“I'm sure you've done an excellent job.”
“All clear, President,” the Secret Service agent said, giving him a strange look.
President Lopez cleared his throat. “Thank you.” He went into the classroom, followed closely by the agent, then the teacher.
“Is President Lopez married?” I asked Az.
“Oh, yes,” Azrael said.
“He seems to have forgotten that.”
“I think his Secret Service agent just reminded him.”
“I thought the American presidents are expected to take lovers?” Arach asked.
Az and I both looked at him in surprise while Lugh burst out laughing.
“Why is that humorous?” King Cian asked his son.
“Because so many of them have cheated on their wives,” Lugh said. “I can see how King Arach might assume it was accepted.”
“There haven't been that many,” I protested.
“There haven't been that many who have been caught, you mean,” Azrael said.
“As I said.” Arach waved an elegant hand at Az.
“But that behavior is not expected so much as tolerated,” Az said. “And hidden. That Secret Service agent may not approve of the President cheating on his wife, but if he did, she'd never tell a soul.”
“Ah. Thus the title.” Arach nodded.
I giggled. “No, that's not why they're called Secret Service agents, but I suppose that is part of their jobs.”
“Well, let's leave the humans to their secrets, shall we?” King Cian asked. “I have some refreshments waiting for us. Just a little something to tide us over until lunch.”
“That sounds lovely. Thank you, High King,” Queen Bronagh said.
We followed the High Royals down the corridor and into a small but luxurious room with an array of velvet-covered seats, including some backless options for the winged Air Royals. The furniture was not of the tree-grown variety that I'd seen in other rooms of the castle but was free-moving and had obviously been collected and brought into the room for our use. Along one wall was a sideboard laden with trays of food—not just appetizers either—and an assortment of hot and cold beverages.
“It's not Dad's fault,” Lugh whispered to me when he saw my wide eyes. “This is what you get when you ask the kitchen staff for some light refreshments.”
I snorted. “I'm not complaining. I have a dragon's appetite.”
