“His name isPaul.”
“Yes, my apologies—Paul. Got it! I’ll remember next time.” He grinned at me, not at all chastised, then turned to Lord Dion. “Since everyone here is a dead bore, what say you, Lord Dion, to a game of cards? Perhaps a little wager, to make things interesting?”
I’m going to kill him.
I hefted my clutch and considered bludgeoning him or whipping out my can of bear mace. “Lord Linus.”
The fae lord glanced guiltily at me. “Whoops. Sorry, daughter. I’ll behave.” He slightly shook his head, making the ponytail he kept his dark hair tied back in sweep over his shoulder. “So. What are we talking about?”
My throat ached dully as I made myself smile at Lord Dion. “It was a pleasure to meet you, Lord Dion. But it seems Lord Linus and I need to find my steward.”
“Of course, Queen Leila.” Lord Dion bowed slightly. “I look forward to meeting you again.”
I glanced at Lord Rigel. “Next time you decide to visit the mansion, Lord Rigel, I would appreciate it if you wore a bell or something.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.”
I grabbed Lord Linus by the arm and dragged him away from the duo.
“Why are we going to find Skye?” Lord Linus asked. “She is a likable girl, but she strikes me as being a bit too proper for a good party. Makes things boring.”
“We are going to find her because you need a babysitter,” I growled.
“You know,” the Paragon said, surprising me because I hadn’t realized he followed us. “The day you were made queen, Killian told me you had guts, but I feel better now. You’ve got the fae spirit all right!”
Both Lord Linus and I frowned at the eccentric fae.
“You’ll do quite fine,” he predicted. “Just consider Lord Dion as your marriage partner—he’s one of the few unspoiled and good ones. Toodles!” He waved to us and disappeared in the crush of the crowd.
My head started to hurt in addition to my throat. Weak, I gave in. “Chase?”
“Yes, Queen Leila?” The werewolf stepped out of the shadows, his yellow eyes gleaming in the dim light.
“Where is Skye?”
“Right this way, Queen Leila.”
“Thanks.” I followed after my director of security, names and information tumbling through my brain with every fae I passed.
That settles it. Someone tried to kill me tonight, I’m being set up for an arranged marriage, and Lord Linus isannoying!
Tomorrow, no matter what, I’m going to get myself some coffee!
* * *
“I’mglad it went well, sweetie!”
I juggled my phone to my other hand as I peered into the stall Twilight had taken over. He was hiding in the back, but when he saw me he perked his ears and walked through a skylight sunbeam to reach me. “Yeah, me too. I thought for sure there’d be a brawl—I was kind of hoping Lord Linus would get himself punched out. But the worst anybody did was sneer at each other.”
I patted Twilight on the neck and ignored the prickle of my conscience.
I had decided not to tell Mom or Dad about the attempt on my life. It would only worry them, and for all of his sleuthing, Chase and his people hadn’t been able to figure out for certain who had bespelled the food. Apparently the buffet lay just out of range of the restaurant’s cameras, and they hadn’t been able to pin down the magic—although they did confirm the spell was customized just for me. It wasn’t dangerous for anyone else to eat.
Whoopie! Right?
“One second, honey. What?” Mom shouted directly into the phone. “Oh! Yes! Paul says you looked beautiful, and thanks for texting us the picture of you in your dress.”
“Of course!” I moved down the stable, pausing to pet Fax since he had his head draped over his stall door. “I should probably go, though. Love you, Mom.”
