“And Queen Leila of the Night Court!”
I was perfectly prepared for zero noise. None of my people were here at the start line, and my riders had all backed out. So I was shocked when there were whoops and cheers behind me.
“Our Queen!”
“You get ’em, Queen Leila!”
“Night Court, Night Court!”
“Go angry demon horses!”
I spun around and was shocked to recognize Landon, the barista from King’s Court Café, the two girls I had taken the selfie with, and about a dozen other humans, cheering and bouncing on the balls of their feet.
I laughed and waved to them, making them cheer louder.
It was around then I felt eyes piercing my back. I suspiciously turned around, expecting to see Lady Chrysanthe or Lord Myron.
Surprisingly, it was Queen Verdant who was flashing such a hostile glare at me, it made her beautiful facial features drawn and almost evil. She turned her back to me and enthusiastically chatted with her riders.
What was that about?
“Queen Leila!” King Solis—handsome, golden, and warm—strolled up to us, a smile gracing his lips. “How good it is to see you here today—and you, too, my fine fellow.” He extended his hand and Fax nickered, then rested his muzzle in King Solis’s cupped fingers.
“It’s good to see you, King Solis,” I said. “I’d say I wish your mounts luck, but it seems like most everyone is riding a sun stallion.”
King Solis laughed. “They are beloved—speaking of which, I heard from the Paragon I am to offer you and Lord Rigel my congratulations.” He was the first person to look from me to Lord Rigel without any open sign of anxiety or fear. Which meant either he was a very good actor, or he didn’t care who I got myself hitched to as long as I didn’t run the Court into the dirt.
“Thank you,” I said.
“Lord Rigel is a very strong, respected warrior—a good choice. Surely he’ll be able to protect you,” King Solis said.
“Aha,” I laughed weakly. “Maybe. Are you participating?”
“No—rulers traditionally don’t risk themselves in this sort of manner,” King Solis said.
“See! I told you!” Lord Linus glared at me over Bagel’s head—the donkey was grinning as King Solis rubbed his forehead.
“You can’t mean to imply Queen Leila is participating?” King Solis said.
“Me and the night mares,” I confirmed. “I should probably get up to the lineup.”
King Solis frowned. “Are you certain you should enter? It can be very dangerous.”
“Yep. All my riders backed out—and I’m not looking to win,” I said. “I just want to get through it.”
“Even if you only wish to come in last, it still is folly,” King Solis said. “It’s an unnecessary risk.”
“Listen to the Day King,” Lord Linus echoed.
“I trust my night mares,” I said. “Besides. Everyone seems to forget—I’m human. I grew up in Magiford.”
King Solis’s frown deepened. He glanced away from me, his eyes going to the other monarchs, before he leaned in and spoke in a quiet tone. “Very well, then I must warn you to stay away from the Fall riders—they’re the most brutal, and will attack with weapons if it means securing a front position. Also look out for Lord Umer from the Summer Court. He’s won every year for the past five years. It’s a given that he cheats, but the area is warded against portal magic for the derby, and no one has been able to catch him in the act. He’s avoided disqualification thus far, but he won’t react well if you try to follow him as a result.”
“Don’t worry, I intend to go on a less traveled path,” I assured him.
“Ahh, you’re going for a longer route then? Good choice,” King Solis said.
Lord Linus relaxed and dangled an arm over Bagel’s neck. “If you do that, the danger factor will drastically decrease.”
