“Queen Leila of the Night Court,” Skye bowed first to me, then swiveled and bowed again to my royal visitor. “King Solis of the Day Court.”
King Solis smiled, making him even more dazzling. “Queen Leila,” he said. “It is my honor.”
“The honor is all mine, King Solis.” I evaded an end table that held a stoneware tea set that was glazed jade green, and made my way to the star patterned chair directly across from the wooden chair he’d been sitting in.
Now that I stood closer to him, I could see he wore a gold circlet studded with red and orange gems threaded through his hair, and the crest of the Day Court—a rising sun—was embroidered into his robes.
“Thank you for seeing me today.” He sat down in the chair, somehow able to make it seem throne-like even though it was unadorned and simple in design. “I’m sorry for dropping in with no prior notice.”
“I’m a new…queen,” I said—I still wasn’t quite able to say the title without stumbling over it. It still felt foreign, and like a lie. “I’m highly gratified you deigned to visit me at all.”
King Solis smiled slightly, but didn’t comment on my honesty. “I actually wanted to thank you.”
Surprised, I furrowed my brow. “For what?”
“Fax,” he said, naming the older sun stallion I’d elected to keep. “My steward told me you were selling all but the oldest sun stallion and submitted the deals through us to broker a proper buyer.”
He met my gaze, and the honesty and warmth in his eyes was shocking. “He said you’d chosen to keep Fax, and that your stable managers said you wished to provide him with a comfortable home for the remainder of his life.”
“He’s in great health—he still gets ridden and exercised,” I said.
“Yes, but I’m aware he’s of the age where he shouldn’t join in on the races—possibly even the hunts,” King Solis said.
Just how many races and hunts do the fae hold?!
“And I know some Courts would be unwilling to have the expense of keeping a sun stallion if it could not be shown off,” King Solis added.
“Yes, well, I take pet ownership as a serious charge—and he seems to get along great with the night mares. I’m happy to provide a home for him.”
King Solis leaned back in his chair. “I’m glad as well. It seems like the Night Court finally has a good queen.”
“I’m not certain my subjects would agree with you there,” I said plainly—it wasn’t like the entire fae race didn’t know my human blood horrified my nobles.
“As you said, you are a new queen. You need time to grow into your role,” King Solis said. “But I am greatly encouraged.”
I blinked—a little surprised by the king’s warm but frank manners, which went against everyone else I’d met in this mess. “Encouraged?”
“The Day Court and Night Court are inescapably linked due to our shared natures,” King Solis said. “We’re the opposite faces on the same coin. When the Night Court suffers, so does the Day Court. And the Night Court has not been well for…some time.”
It’s pretty telling how bad things are when a king from a totally different Court is concerned for you.
I pressed my fingertips together as I carefully considered my next words. “I didn’t know the Day Court and Night Court were dependent. I always admired the Day Court when I was a kid.”
I’d actually spent years wishing my fae blood came from the Day Court and not the Night Court, but I didn’t need to unload on him like this was a therapy session.
“The Day Court is, thankfully, thriving now. But I’m aware things could get worse.” He waited until I met his gaze before continuing. “If you should need any advice—or a word from someone experienced—I should be honored to guide you.”
“Thank you.” I smiled at the king. “I appreciate it.”
King Solis frowned slightly, furrowing his forehead so his golden eyebrows knit together. “In fact, I suppose now is as good a time as any to warn you. In late July we’ll have the annual Magiford Midsummer Derby. During which, you’ll meet all of the Court monarchs in the Midwest. Make sure you stay clear of the Autumn King.” He slightly shook his head. “He can be a poor sport.”
That big of a jerk, is he?
I resolved to ask Skye about the Autumn King—and what the heck the Magiford Midsummer Derby was—as King Solis stood.
“But I’ve taken enough of your time.” He twitched his robes straight and graced me with another smile as warm and mellow as sunshine. “Please allow me to say again that I am delighted with the dedication you have shown Fax—and that you are the Queen of the Night Court.”
“Thank you,” I said. “I hope together my stable manager and your people can find the rest of the sun stallions wonderful homes.”
