“Indeed,” Manith confirmed with a wink. “Though quaint Magiford has attempted to charm us. But that is why we were especially intrigued to meet you—since yours is the only Night Court in the United States.”
Yeah, that was why the Original Creep of a king laid all the extra rules down—so the Night Court and Day Court wouldn’t go crazy in the future being that we technically ruled Day and Night everywhere in the USA.
Obviously he wasn’t the saint Skye made him out to be, or he would have just crowned additional kings or queens and established other Night Courts, but nooo. That would be giving up too much power, I’m sure.
I tried to keep my inner tirade from showing on my face as I nodded and rearranged my gown. “In that case, I’m glad you could come.”
“Your mansion is beautiful—and I enjoy the energy of your party,” Angstra laughed.
“I watched some of the wizards join in…what was it called? Karaoke?” Manith looked to King Solis for support.
A smile briefly twitched at King Solis’s lips. “I believe that is what the great matron of House Medeis said, yes.”
“Fascinating,” Manith said. “I’ve never seen a Court so aware of the human world.”
“It’s not that we’re aware as much as it’s my world, too, since I’m half human,” I said.
“Ahh yes, King Solis told us of your story,” Angstra said. “It must have been shocking to be made queen.”
“In more ways than one, yes,” I nodded.
Although Manith and Angstra seemed pretty nice—especially for fae—I was keeping a bit of my guard up as I glanced at King Solis.
He called them acquaintances, not friends…after he’d just confirmed that we were friends.
I was probably overthinking it, but I hadn’t survived this long among the fae by being impulsive in my friendships.
“King Solis also told us you were recently married,” Manith said.
“Yes. I married Consort Rigel the day of my crowning,” I said.
“He seems like an unusual—and remarkable—choice,” Angstra said.
“You’ve heard of him, then?” I asked.
Angstra glanced at Manith, her eyes a little wide with panic in them.
That’s something to remember; even out in the Mid-Atlantic states they know whothe Wraithis.
I couldn’t help the little smirk that played on my lips. “We have the most romantic love story ever! The first time we set eyes on each other, he tried to kill me.”
I laughed as Angstra and Manith clutched each other in apparent horror. Even King Solis froze and seemed shocked.
That was fun—I’ll have to do it again!
I tapped my thigh, patting my skirts. “Best meet-cute story ever!”
“I’m glad you think so.”
I almost jumped out of my high heels when I heard Rigel purr behind me, but was able to course correct at the last moment and just wobbled instead.
“Darling,” I said. “Hello. Hi.”
I managed not to ask him the question that burned in my heart.
What possessed him to come out here?!
After greeting the guests Rigel had gone off and done his own thing—which pretty much summed up our relationship. He did whatever he wanted and didn’t kill me, and I was free to muck up all the stupid political games the fae played as I wished.
