“Queen Leila.”
A cool breeze tickled my side, and I turned to the side to greet the monarch who had first approached me, Queen Rime of the Winter Court.
Chapter Six
Leila
Iwas aware that Queen Rime was considered the most powerful monarch in the region both personally and politically since she was also the fae representative on the Regional Committee of Magic—Skye had endlessly quizzed me about the monarchs, after all.
Queen Rime was known for her reluctance in politicking, and held on to her power through the impassable alliance she had with her siblings, each of which ruled over the Winter Courts in the various regions of the USA.
But it was one thing to know that—and to even have seen Queen Rime from a distance—and another to actually meet her.
I was unprepared for the icy air that flowed around her, and this close her paleness—her light-colored eyes, fair skin, and hair that was a pure shade of white—seemed to almost make her eyelashes glitter.
Not married, and no children, I mentally recited from Skye’s list.
“Good evening, Queen Rime!” King Solis was back to his bright personality, all warmth and dazzling once again as he grinned at the fae queen. “Might I introduce you to Queen Leila of the Night Court?”
Queen Rime raised an eyebrow at him.
I glanced at Skye, who nodded at me, before I spoke up. “Good evening, Queen Rime.”
Queen Rime slightly closed her eyes in acknowledgment. “I believe this is our first official meeting.”
“Yes, it is,” I said.
“You rode admirably in the races,” Queen Rime said.
“I appreciate the compliment,” I said. I had to carefully pick my words—saying thank you to a fae could be tricky as some of the nastier ones might construe it as you admitting that you owed them a favor now.
I could feel the gazes of everyone in the area as they watched us, murmuring to one another.
Queen Rime stared at me for several long moments.
I couldn’t figure out if she expected me to say something, or if she was thinking—she was too good at veiling her expressions.
But she nodded, and as abruptly as she arrived, she left. “Enjoy the summer ball,” she said. “I look forward to seeing you at upcoming events.”
She swept off, the tapping of her shoes producing little crackling noises, as if she was walking on a thin layer of ice.
Before I could ask Skye if I made her proud, another fae appeared before me—a male who had the classic handsome appearance of the fae with his smooth skin, flawless brunette hair that was short with just enough hint of a curl to it to give it a disgustingly perfect amount of body, and otherworldly grace. Oh, and enough smugness to warrant breaking his nose.
I recognized King Fell of the Autumn Court—he was way too obnoxiousnotto know.
“You’re the new Night Queen.” He looked me over from head to foot. “It’s a sad thing to see just how low some of the most illustrious Courts have fallen.”
Coming just behind Queen Rime in power, King Fell was arrogant and loved to yank the rest of the Courts around as long as Queen Rime chose not to exercise her power—as illustrated by his thinly veiled insult.
I smiled, but before I could respond, King Solis spoke. “King Fell of the Autumn Court, Queen Leila.”
I offered King Fell a brittle smile. “Good evening.”
King Fell actually snorted at me before another fae monarch appeared just behind his shoulder.
“What’s this, Fell? Greeting the neophyte, I see.” This fae had an elaborate tunic that was such a vivid and bright blue that it made my eyes almost hurt, despite places where the fabric was shot through with a few shades of yellow and orange.
His long blond-brown hair was tangled in a complicated braid, and his crown was wrapped with tendrils of a plant I didn’t know which draped down over his temples.
