I opened my mouth and spat out the bite of cannoli, coughing and gagging as I tried to clear my throat and breathe without inhaling my spit.
Several long moments passed before I finally managed to take in a gulp of air.
“Thanks,” I gurgled.
“Happy to be of service.” Skye watched me with a worried expression while she and Indigo peered at my face.
“I can’t believe it!” I coughed and wiped my mouth off. “I was almost Snow White-ed. With a cannoli!”
Indigo was crouched next to me, her face tight with worry. “I’ll get the Paragon.”
“No!” I coughed again, grimacing at the new raspy feeling in my throat. “No,” I repeated in a much quieter tone. “Tell Chase and get this food removed and checked, but don’t tellanyone.”
“Queen Leila, someone tried to kill you at your first official social function. This is very serious,” Skye said.
“I know, but that’s also why we can’t let anyone know.” I could finally breathe enough that my heart was slowing down, though the air still tasted faintly of the sweet cream filling.
Ugh. I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to eat another cannoli ever again.
“My first event, and my Court nearly succeeded in offing me?” I shook my head. “I don’t know if it’s feasible to ever get a good relationship with my Court, butthatkind of opener is going to make them think I’m easy prey. No—we have to act like it didn’t happen and see who is angry as a result.”
Indigo and Skye exchanged looks.
“As you wish, Queen Leila,” Skye said slowly.
I nodded and tipped my head back—thankful to be able to breathe again.
I thought I was taking this pretty seriously, but I guess not seriously enough. I can’t cower from them and let them walk all over me—or I’ll never survive long-term. But what can I do?
I glanced down at my charm bracelet.Practicing magic would probably be my best option. I’m so-so at it, but if I want to survive I’ll need to geta lotbetter. Preferably good enough to make charms that don’t need words to activate, as it seems I’ll be needing those.
Indigo stood up and brushed off her skirt.
“One more thing,” I said.
She bowed to me. “Yes, Queen Leila?”
“I don’t want to hear another word about how upset my chef is,” I said. “I almost died because I took a risk. I’m not going to be shamed for being proactive when my life is on the line.”
Indigo’s forehead wrinkled. “I’m sorry.”
I waved my hand and stood up. “It’s fine.” I smiled, trying to appear at least a little friendly. “I just don’t want to hear about it again.”
Indigo bowed, then hurried around the corner of the hedge, disappearing from sight.
I sighed and brushed my gown off, looking for spots of dirt.
I survived my second assassination attempt. Now I just have to get through this party without letting anyone find out.
* * *
Chase provedthat hiring him was possibly one of the best ideas ever.
He handled everything like a pro and had the food quietly removed before instructing the waitstaff to restock the buffet. He also pulled all the security camera footage and packaged up my half-chewed cannoli and sent one of his people—a fae—off with it to see if the magic used could be traced. He also personally accompanied Skye, Indigo, and me, and did all of this without raising any suspicions from the partying fae.
“You’re a gem, Chase.” I raised the water bottle—which he’d delivered to me unopened—to him in thanks.
It had been about two hours since the party started. The near brush with death put a real dampener on my appetite, so the smells were actually making my stomach turn, but I was thankful for the water.
