Skye almost dropped her stylus. “W-what do you mean?”
“This game that the Paragon told me about—the way I need to win over my Court and establish a strong front of power? I’m not interested in it.”
“Queen Leila.” Skye sat down in one of the chairs pulled up to my desk for the first time since I interviewed her. “What do you mean? You have to play for power—there is no other way.”
“You don’tthinkthere is another way, because there’s neverbeenanother way,” I corrected. “And there’s also never been a half human…half fae on the throne before.”
“I’ll bite.” Indigo hopped into the other chair, draping her arm over the side to pet Kevin. “What are you up to?”
Muffin made her way over to me and leaned into my chair. I petted her—a warm comfort as I tried to figure out how to explain everything.
Indigo is mine—I know she’ll stick with me. I think Skye will. I hope she will. But I have to tell them either way. I can’t keep my closest people in the dark.
“I’ve been too reactive,” I said. “I respond to insults, attempts on my life, and attacks on my people. I’m sick of just sitting around waiting for stuff to happen in order for me to really do anything.”
“If you were more aware of the intricacies of fae life, it would be easier to respond,” Skye admitted.
“Yeah, except I’m not. And I don’t think I ever will be—I don’twantto be. The fae are screwed up.” I stroked the red spot on Muffin’s head. “But I’m done being reactive. It’s time for me to go on the offense. But I’m not going to do it the classic fae way—no murders, no insults, no social snubs or stupid ploys like that. I’m going to troll my Court.”
“Troll?” Skye asked.
“Since they’re offended by me, I’m not going to hide what makes me different. I’m not going to conform to their picture of what a queen should and shouldn’t do. I’m going to name my pets whatever I want. I’m going to put a pigeon-raccoon-griffin on my seal to show them just how little I actually care what they think, and I’m going to rip this current system apart.”
Indigo adjusted her cat eye glasses. “That’s what bringing your donkey here was—the first shots fired in this new campaign of yours.”
In my surprise that she’d caught on already, I stopped petting Muffin. The cat shoved her head under my hand, restarting my brain. “Yes.”
“And what do you hope to accomplish by this?” Skye asked. She didn’t seem upset—surprised, yes, and maybe curious. But she hadn’t gotten her antacids tin out, yet, which was a good sign. “And do you mean to do the same with the other Courts?”
“The Night Court thinks they can yank me around—I just want to show them that they can’t. I don’t know about the other Courts, yet. I’ve only met King Solis, and something tells me he’s not the norm.”
“No, he’s far dreamier and kind hearted than the rest of the Courts.” Indigo sighed in appreciation.
Skye tapped her stylus on her tablet, then nodded. “Very well.”
I blinked, surprised. “You’re just going to accept it?”
Skye shrugged. “I am your steward—I do what you tell me. It’s in the job description. Besides, you have proven your desire to do what is right by your struggle with your studies and your desperation to improve your magic. Truthfully, I don’t understand what you mean to do, but I am confident enough that—based on your past actions—you don’t seek to get everyone killed.”
“No,” I agreed. “Just ruffle some feathers.”
“Yes,” Skye hesitantly agreed. “Which is something the Night Court, perhaps, needs right now.” She cleared her throat, then looked down at her stylus. “I will see to it that several sample sketches are drawn up for your seal.”
“Thank you, Skye. Was there something else you wanted to ask me?”
“Yes, about your marriage—have you given it any thought?”
I groaned and let my head fall and thump my desk. “Not much since you last mentioned it.” I peeled my forehead off the table and made myself look at her. “Is there anyone besides Lord Dion who is at all remotely trustworthy?”
“Trustworthy is not a word I would often use to describe any fae, Queen Leila,” Skye said.
“You can say that again,” Indigo muttered.
“I have taken the liberty of making two lists of the top candidates depending on your choice. A list of fae from less powerful families—which means they won’t be able to pressure you into anything, but are likely to use your position to aid their climb to power and will be unable to help you should you need it—and a list of candidates from more powerful families—which means they will certainly aid you should you need it, but they will also pressure you to rule in a way that benefits them.”
“Ohhh, I bet family dinners are going to be fun,” I said. “Which list is Lord Dion on?”
Skye slightly pursed her lips. “Neither, actually. I believe that’s why the Paragon chose him. He’s more neutral—while his family is neither powerful nor weak, he is personally well liked by the Courts, considered quite competent, and has strong ties to the Paragon thanks to his work outside the fae community.”
