“I did.”
“What did you think of the high lord of the Autumn Court?”
“Don’t you mean high lordandcommander-in-chief?” I jeered. Caius gave me a knowing smile. “Well, Caius, you’ll have to be on your best behavior. I’d say Lord Wymond will give you a run for your coin,” I said, fully serious.
Caius’ brows furrowed. “Oh? In what manner?”
“In who my favorite high lord is, of course.” I gave him a wink.
Thaddeus gave a wry smile, and Caius looked like he’d break into laughter but found his composure and gave me an unabashed smile instead.
“Well, whatever could I do to tip the scales in my favor?”
“You’rethe high lord, you tell me.”
“I do still owe you a proper date, one that doesn’t have us lost in time, or in peril. Would you do me the honor of joining me for lunch tomorrow?”
“Umm…” I said, holding Caius’ gaze in a teasing manner. “I’ll have to move some things around. But, I suppose, as my solstice gift to you, I could make it work.”
“Tomorrow it is, then,” Caius said, with a broad smile, and a sound chimed. “If you’ll both excuse me.” He gave Thaddeus and me a nod and made his way to what looked like a dining room.
When Caius was well out of earshot, Thaddeus leaned in close. “You’re good with Caius,” he said, pride in his voice.
“It’s easy with him, but we’ll see what tomorrow brings. Unfortunately, I learned very little about him the other day.”
“What did Wymond say to you?” Thaddeus asked, his tone serious.
“Nothing.”
“I know that smile you gave him, Nyleeria. It wasn’t nothing.”
“I think he threatened me.”
Thaddeus gave a silent command for Tarrin and Nevander to join us.
Both men looked at us expectantly. Thaddeus nodded for me to go on, his features neutral.
“I think Wymond, the high lord of the Autumn Court, threatened me,” I repeated quietly. Their features maintained the illusion that our conversation was light. “I’ll fill you in on the details later. But if any of you can get closer to him or his courtiers, it would be good. I doubt I’ll be granted access again.”
“I was wondering who the poor bastard was,” Tarrin said. “Only you, Ny, would turn your back on a high lord before you’ve been dismissed.” He shook his head and chuckled.
I went to retort, but Nevander cut in.
“Wymond has three from his court here. Lothar and Njal, although I haven’t gotten the name of the third.”
“Endymion,” I offered, “his second-in-command. That’s who I danced with the other night in the high lord’s stead.” I smiled inwardly, recalling our conversation, our dance. I’d unnerved the male, and I could admit that a piece of me felt no small amount of smugness from it.
“Okay,” Tarrin said. “This is a good opportunity for us to meet them. It’s the only event where the entourages are part of the celebration, not just guarding shadows.” There was no judgment in his words, as if he genuinely didn’t mind being on the sidelines, observing the action instead of being part of it.
Tarrin must have read my mind, as he gave me a wry smile. “Not all of us like being the center of attention, Ny.”
I gave him a death glare. He damn well knew how much I loathed being in those situations. “And not all of us can cower in the shadows either,” I threw back at him. He covered his chest with his hand in mock pain, as if a blade had struck true.
Even Nevander smiled, but our conversation got cut short when Caius called everyone to join him.
Stepping into the dining hall, I understood why Kai had called ita feast. The spread was so vast that even the most rapacious giant would have been glutted. A large table stretched before me, laden with an opulent mixture of exotic dishes that I’d struggle to name. Interlaid in artful arrangements were blooms not of this world, as if they’d been plucked from the garden of dreams. The air was a medley of inviting, yet unfamiliar scents that weaved a tantalizing aromatic tapestry.
Awe written on my features, Caius flashed me a smile, and I mouthedbeautifulto him—his grin widened with a radiant glow.
