I smiled to show I appreciated the gesture. “Thank you for saying that, but youarehalf human. I know you can lie to me.”
Skye looked slightly puzzled. “Do humans commonly lie?”
Her question felt genuine. The light in her eye was questioning, and she hadn’t smothered her reaction like a fae usually would. But seriously, how could she not know?
Her face cleared, her confusion smoothed away by a solemn expression. “Regardless, you are correct. As a half fae, my vows don’t mean as much. But as a pledge of my loyalty I will reveal that I am here at the request of my grandfather.”
“He’s plotting against me?”
“Not at all. But his line is one of the smallest noble houses. If I became your steward, it would bring us honor and prestige,” Skye said.
“And he asked you because he was hoping I’d be softer toward a fellow half human?” I guessed. She didn’t react, so I was probably right on. “Were you primarily raised by fae?”
“Yes,” Skye said. “My father was human, but he died when I was young. My mother and I moved in with my grandfather, then.” She paused, then added. “I received a fae education, as well as a general human education at my mother’s insistence. I have the training necessary to fulfill my duties.”
She’s lived among nobles, and she obviously understands how fae society works. I don’t trust her—not this soon, anyway. But as long as I stay on my toes, it should be okay. She doesn’t feel off to me.
For a moment I paused, and the impossibility of what I was trying to do threatened to collapse on me.
I’d been here forone dayand I already felt tired. But, hey, hopefully that was the sleepless night talking!
Hmm, which probably means my director of security is the most important position I hire if I ever feel like sleeping again.
“Okay.” I slapped my hands on the table and stood up. “Welcome to the team, Skye.”
She stared up at me. “You’re hiring me?”
“Yep.”
“To be your steward?”
“That’s the position you were applying for, right?”
“Yes…”
“Great. Then your first task as steward is to make an online job application ad for my new director of security.” I strolled outside the meeting room and was pleased to find the faun waiting outside. “You’re still here, perfect. I’ve hired my steward, who is next?”
“Ah, this way, Queen Leila.” The faun swayed in a dance-like bow and hurried down the hallway.
Skye left the meeting room and followed us, typing away on her smartphone with a speed I knew I couldn’t match. “You wish to place an onlineadfor the position of director of security?”
“Yep. I’ll need to hire a supernatural, obviously, but the Curia Cloisters does have a specialty jobs for hire section on their website. You can start by posting it there.” I studied the mansion decorations with fascination as we walked.
Apparently I was slow on the pickup. I was just starting to realize everything in the place was decorated with dark shades of blue and purple, with streaks of black and accents of silver.
“You mean to open the position up to the other fae Courts?” Skye asked.
“No,” I said. “I mean to hire anyone but a fae.”
Skye didn’t say anything as she tapped away on her smartphone, stopping without looking up when the faun hesitated in front of a large door.
“In here, Queen Leila, are the applicants for the esteemed position of companion,” the faun said.
I tilted my head. “What?”
“Companion,” the faun repeated.
“What does a companion do?”
