“She is here today,” Chase said. “I’ll gather my men and bring her in for questioning.”
“The Paragon is here, too,” Skye said. “It might be worthwhile to have him look over the flower.”
Chase bowed slightly. “A worthy plan.”
“Leila!”
Indigo plucked the potion bottle from my fingers as I stupidly turned around. “What—”
Lord Linus stopped just short of crashing into me. He set his hands on my shoulders and forcibly turned me in a circle, checking me over. “Did you give her a healing potion?”
“Yes—though her back is no longer bleeding.”
“She still needs to get looked over,” Lord Linus said.
“I agree.”
There was an ear-splitting hee-haw, and the night mares turned as a group and trumpeted in happiness to Bagel and Fax.
Lord Rigel was leading Fax, but King Solis had apparently taken temporary custody of Bagel as the donkey happily trotted at his side.
“You’re alive—and you won!” King Solis grinned at me. “Congratulations are in order!”
“Thank you!” I beamed at the Day King, then hesitated as Lord Rigel drew closer.
He ignored the night mares that twined around Fax like pleased cats, and looked me over from head to toe. “You survived.”
“What, disappointed?” I asked.
Lord Rigel was silent for several long, awkward moments.
Oh, nice. He reallywasdisappointed!
“It was…illuminating,” he said.
I frowned. “Illuminating? What’s that supposed to mean?”
“No matter, you can flirt with your fiancé later. Drink this.” Indigo pushed the nasty potion back in my fingers. “And get ready.”
“For what?” I asked.
“Justice,” Skye said. “Because that flower should be all Chase needs to prove Lady Chrysanthe is responsible for all the recent attacks on you.”
* * *
“Lady Chrysanthe isguilty of conspiring against Queen Leila.” Skye gestured to Lady Chrysanthe—who was being led toward us by Chase and a squadron of guards.
We were in the gardens of the Night Realm—apparently fae justice needed to be meted out in the fae realm. It made sense, sort of?
I was seated in a large chair that had a massive, circular back that was sculpted to resemble the full moon.
A structure that was faintly reminiscent of Greek architecture with its classical columns and open ceiling surrounded the platform I was seated on.
Flags bearing the Night Court crest—a crescent moon with a spattering of stars—were hung between the pillars, and silver bowls bearing silvery globes of light illuminated the area.
When I glanced up, I could see the beautiful cosmic twists of blue and purple, and thousands of glittering stars we didn’t have on earth.
Both Skye and Lord Rigel stood at the base of the platform, and past them spread my Court.
