I inhaled my own spit and choked. After about ten prolonged seconds of coughing, I assured him. “No!”
His expression cleared—he seemed to feel better about it—and Skye slowly approached the base of the gazebo. “If you would step forward, Queen Leila and…Lord Rigel. I will arrange a receiving line so the Court can…wish you both well and give you its congratulations.” Skye kept giving me a meaningful look during the lulls in her sentences.
Lord Rigel dropped my hand like it was a dead fish and glided down the stairs. I was a step behind him—moving more carefully because I still wasn’t great with heels.
Once Skye arranged us to her satisfaction, she stepped to the side to converse with some of the guards, who started motioning at the fae like an airport employee directing landing airplanes.
Indigo joined Lord Rigel and me, looking markedly less disturbed than anyone else on my team as she scooted around to stand behind me.
“Congratulations, my Sovereign, and to you, Lord Rigel,” she said.
I peered back at her. “You seem remarkably chipper.”
“Of course!” She sniffed up at me. “I was really worried for you. But this is exactly the sort of thing I would expect from you normally. I’m glad you’re still doing fine.”
“Gee. Thanks.”
“Now smile!” Indigo poked me in the lower back for emphasis. “And enjoy this moment. Because everyone is going to befuriousthat you’ve outfoxed them again!”
* * *
“Are youinsane?”The Paragon planted his feet and set down the baby car seat he’d been carrying. It was about six in the morning, and he’d obviously just woken up based on the fuzzy blue slippers he was wearing, as well as his blue bathrobe that was dotted with overweight, gray cats.
Given how late the celebration “festivities” had lasted the previous night, I was still in my fancy dress—although I yanked off my gloves with enthusiasm. “What do you mean?”
“Marryinghim!” The Paragon poked a finger in Lord Rigel’s direction. “What else—besides a loss of all intelligence—could inspire you to marry an assassin?”
“Perhaps you shouldn’t be quite so strong in your words, Paragon?” I suggested.
Lord Rigel didn’t look upset. He’d settled against a wall where his dark shirt let him blend in with the early morning shadows.
Still. Hewasone of the deadliest fae in America.
And I just got myself engaged to him.Shock was settling in, but I didn’t regret my decision.
The anger of the nobles had actually convinced me I’d taken the best route by choosing Lord Rigel.
The Paragon scoffed. “Ihave no reason to be afraid of your new beau. Even if he is a murder hobo, my power is far superior—he’s just a cub. But a deadly, murderous cub that you’ll be living with!”
“Mmert!” Aphrodite poked her head out of the car seat.
“Oh, Aphrodite.” The Paragon scooped his pet up—she was wearing what looked like pink baby pajamas. “I’m sorry, are you cold?”
“I think this whole thing is the best thing that’s happened to the Court in decades.” Lord Dion laughed as he flopped down on the couch, looking much freer than I’d ever seen. “It’ll be good for Rigel—and it’s hilarious!”
The Paragon gave Lord Dion a withering gaze. “You’re an idiot.”
Lord Dion shrugged. “I was prepared to do my duty and marry her because you asked me, but I think this is a far better outcome. I mean, who is going to mess with her now?”
The Paragon turned back to me. “Is that why you asked him?”
“Yes, tell us, my Sovereign,” Indigo drawled as she eased herself into a chair. “We’re all dying to know your thought process.”
Chase and Skye stood behind her—Chase with his arms folded behind his back and an expectant look in his eyes that said Indigo was right. Skye was still chewing on antacids—I don’t think she’d stopped taking them since the receiving line finished the previous night.
That can’t be healthy. Maybe I should send her to a doctor?
“I asked Lord Rigel to marry me because you, Paragon, told me to marry someone who didn’t have split loyalties.”
