“Thanks,” I said.
Rigel shrugged. “I’m still not helping you get your coffee machine.”
“You aresucha tease.”
“At least I’m not strange like you.”
* * *
I thoughtI was done with fancy shindigs for at least a few weeks, but it turns out I was wrong.
Every year the Curia Cloisters had an annual Summer’s End Ball. It was extravagant, and while Hazel swore it had really great food, the only thing to do there was talk and dance.
I knew it existed, but it didn’t occur to me I was going to have to go…until on the morning of the ball I learned that—as a fae monarch—Ihadto attend.
It was supposed to be pretty safe—the Curia Cloisters were considered a safe haven area, no fighting was allowed—so I only had Chase, Indigo, Skye, Lord Linus, and Rigel with me for the night. Well, Rigel had come with us, but he’d disappeared into the crowd of shifters, wizards, vampires, and fae about an hour ago.
There were a few other Night Court nobles, but they’d already said their hellos and were mingling with the other fae. Hazel, Killian, and the Paragon were still being waylaid by adoring crowds. I hadn’t had a chance to greet them yet, leaving me with plenty of time to contemplate the important things in life.
“Chase, do you think it’s safe to eat the food here?” I asked my director of security as I stared at the massive buffet of desserts.
“I wouldn’t recommend risking it at this time.” Chase never stopped scanning the crowd of the local supernatural movers and shakers. “Considering someone attempted to kill you at your own wedding not long ago.”
I gloomily sighed. “Good point.”
“It’s just as well,” Skye said. “I would expect tonight you will officially meet the other monarchs.”
“Yeah, except we’ve been here for nearly two hours already and none of them will even look at me.” I tried to discreetly twitch my skirts, which had gotten a slight wrinkle in them.
Indigo had stuffed me in a mermaid gown—which was fitted all the way from my hips to my knees, making it a little hard to run away and was probably why Indigo had chosen it.
Tonight’s dress was a dove gray color, with silvery lace applique over the bodice and sleeves. My crown was nestled into my thick hair—which Indigo had braided and pinned up—so the metal band didn’t squeeze my head.
“Patience,” Lord Linus advised. “They’re trying to assert their power station by refusing to greet you.”
“Does that mean I should remind them how the night mares absolutelytrashedall the other Courts in the summer race?” I asked.
Lord Linus grinned. “Absolutely!”
“No—she should not!” Skye loudly and firmly said.
Lord Linus immediately shook his head. “I mean, no. Nooo, definitely not. Wouldn’t be a very mature thing to do.”
I cracked a smile at Lord Linus, but before I could say anything, King Solis joined us.
“Good evening, Queen Leila, Lord Linus—and to you as well, obviously, Skye, Indigo, and Chase.” King Solis smiled as he warmly greeted my employees, his golden hair twinkling in the radiant light cast by the chandeliers.
“Hello, King Solis,” I said.
Skye, wearing a peach colored dress that wonderfully complimented her golden hued skin, bowed. “I am gratified you remember me, King Solis.”
King Solis laughed. “Of course I remember you—you and Indigo were backup singers for Queen Leila during our karaoke sing off, and I believe even Chase sang a line or two. You’re all very skilled singers, and I look forward to a rematch.”
“Even if we do, no one could defeat Pre-Dominant Harka, her mate, and Chase’s pack,” I said. “They were amazing—I almost cried.”
Chase bowed. “Thank you, Queen Leila.”
“They were unbeatable,” King Solis agreed. “But each performer brought so much to the table. For example, I also deeply enjoyed Lord Linus’s rousing song.”
