Apparently my Court had gotten word that I was at the market, because tons of Night Court fae, both nobles and common, stormed it. This drew admiration from the human attendees, who frequently asked my people for pictures.
I had called Skye to ask if it was okay, and she’d jumped into action, gathering more of Chase’s security team and sending them to us while she rushed to let the local government know that an entire Court was about to descend on Magiford before coming here herself.
I scratched under Kevin’s chin, making him wag his tail. “Sounds great, Skye. I think we’re all good, then. I saw two of Chase’s people directing the trolls so they could safely see the market, and the pixies were entertaining the group of school kids that the banshees accidentally scared,” I said.
Skye let out a whoosh of air. “Yes. I believe everything has been righted.”
I patted her shoulder. “Thanks, Skye. You were amazing with all of that.”
“It was an unexpected task.” She slouched a bit, making me believe I’d made a good decision a few minutes ago.
Skye—always graceful, always put together—had looked so troubled I’d sent Indigo off to get an apple fritter for her.
I waved to Lord Dion, who arrived shortly after an extremely harried Skye. “Why don’t you go find Indigo? She’s at the brownie bakery stand—I gave her cash, she was going to put an order in for you and get you a hot apple fritter.”
Skye wrinkled her forehead. “But then you’ll be alone.”
“Nah, Rigel’s here.” I jerked my thumb over my shoulder at the fae assassin. “And so are Kevin and Whiskers—and I can see Chase from here.”
Kevin and Whiskers looked with me to Chase, who was about a market stand’s length away, talking on the phone as he finished organizing security for the impromptu “the Night Court Visits the Supernatural Market” excursion.
“Okay,” Skye reluctantly said.
“Or if you’re that tired, there’s a café right here on Main Street. We could get you some coffee.”
Skye made a face. “I’ll find Indigo.”
“Enjoy!” I called after the beautiful fae, but she was already gone.
“Well. This has been…something.” I adjusted my hold on Kevin’s and Whiskers’ leashes as Whiskers yawned, flashing his mouth full of glinting teeth. “You okay back there, Rigel?”
Rigel glanced in my direction. “I’m fine.”
“You’re not upset by all the Court people who showed up?”
He shrugged. “It makes no difference to me what events those from my Court decide to attend.”
“Yeah, I wanted to ask you about that,” I said. “Why did you come?”
Rigel stared at me.
“Not that I don’t want you here! You’ve just looked bored. It made me wonder why you wanted to come in the first place.”
Rigel stared at the crowd, and I waited patiently for a response.
And waited.
And waited.
We sat in silence so long Whiskers actually lay down to people watch, and Kevin tried his paw at begging for more chin scratches.
“I wanted to know,” he finally said.
I rubbed Kevin’s ears. “Wanted to know what?”
Rigel rubbed a spot on his leather bracers. “What your goal was. That’s what the point of coming was.”
“I could have told you why—it’s to have fun!” I said.
