King Fell watched in disgust. “Wild creatures such as shades cannot be trained. They are almost certainly biding their time so they can turn on you.”
I rolled my eyes. “You’re just jealous.”
“You cannot possibly think you can control them when they scent the prey,” King Fell said.
I sighed deep in my throat, which made my shades all peer at King Fell. Their eyes were slightly narrowed and their ears were flicked to the side in what I thought of as their “judgy” pose, because they were usually hardcore judging whoever they were looking at. But when I thought about it, they probably looked pretty scary to those who didn’t know them, because Consort Flora backed up and hid behind King Birch.
“If you insist on using them, I will not be held culpable if one gets injured because it goes mad in the hunt,” King Birch said.
“What creatures are you using that are oh-so-superior, then?” I asked.
“Wehonorthe ancient tradition of the hunt and use hounds,” King Fell said.
“This hunt is not an ancient tradition.” Queen Rime turned a page in her book. “You were the one who founded it.”
“Yes, because we’re following the traditions of our ancestors, who were known for their hunts,” King Fell snarled.
“Ooh, someone’s defensive,” I told Mary as I scratched her throat for her.
King Solis finally left the adoration of his horses and joined us in the meadow. “Well met, King Fell, King Birch, and Consort Flora.”
The usual round of unnecessarily wordy greetings were exchanged between the Day King and the other monarchs.
“Hey, Solis, what animals are you using in the hunt?” I asked when it was all over.
“Hounds,” Solis supplied. “And my sun stallions, of course. Most of us will ride sun stallions—they’re best suited for this sort of thing.”
“Makes sense,” I said.
King Birch sputtered. “You dare refer to King Solis without his title?”
“Because he’s myfriend, yeah,” I said.
King Fell narrowed his eyes. “Do not ever endeavor to refer to me without the respect of my title.”
“No problems there,” I assured him. “I wouldnevermistake you for a friend.”
King Solis made a hacking sound that seemed suspiciously musical like his laugh. “Queen Verdant hasn’t arrived, yet, has she?”
“She’ll be here,” King Fell declared. “The hunt cannot proceed without her.”
King Solis sighed and rubbed the back of his neck. “Yes, I suppose.”
Rigel had gone back to the night mares, and returned with a bundle of black. When he gestured for me to come closer, I curiously wandered up to him.
“Something wrong?” I asked.
“No. Just a precaution.” Rigel tugged the black cloth over my head.
It was actually a leather doublet with quilted padding. Fancy silver buckles connected the back and front half, and made it easy for Rigel to fit the long, vest-like clothing item to my body.
“Do you think I need to worry about getting shot at—or another attack?” I asked him in a lowered voice.
Rigel adjusted the buckles, cinching the doublet tight. “We are with the other monarchs—who are dangerous,” he said. “But I’ll be with you.”
And with that one sentence, my rapidly spiking anxiety dropped.
“How does it fit?” he asked.
