Lark scowled.It would make more sense for you and Skye to share a room,she thought.
Azaleen turned to Lark, catching her gaze. Love and regret mingled in her eyes. Lark nodded. “That’s a good idea,” she said, pushing her own desire aside. “I don’t like the idea of the queen being alone.”
“Well, if you two have decided, there’s no point in me arguing,” Azaleen said, tongue in cheek.
“Take room number three,” Luke directed as he came back down the hall. “It’s in the safest location. I’ll be in two with Eldrin when I’m not patrolling the hallway.”
“I guess that leaves you and me, roomie.” Skye strolled up behind Lark and clapped a hand on her shoulder.
“Right.” Lark and Skye strode down to number six.
Skye turned the key in the lock. “I know this isn’t what you wanted.”
“Doesn’t matter,” Lark said as she dropped her gear inside the room—all but her machete, crossbow, and bolts. “I’ll be on the other side of her door all night. I trust Luke, Diego, and the others, but another layer of security never hurts.”
“But what about sleep?” Skye peered at her with concern.
“Who can sleep?”
“I hear you.” Skye sat on the bed, her focus still on Lark. “High Chief Batise is coming. Do you think Renée will be with her? Will she remember me?”
Skye’s worried expression teased a smile from Lark, despite her tension. “I’m sure she remembers you. You’re kind of hard to forget—all bossy and snarky. Easy on the eyes to boot.”
Skye laughed and shook her head. “Watch it, plebe. Go on. Stand guard over your lover. I’ll just lie here by myself, tossing and turning.”
Lark snickered. “I love you too.” Closing the door behind her, Lark took position outside room number three, alert to every sound and movement. She’d napped on the balloon ride anyway.
Chapter forty-six
The Conclave
A quarter to ten, the next morning
Skye ran the brush through her long, brunette hair one more time. “Are you sure I look OK?”
Lark stood behind her, leaning against the wall with her arms and boots crossed, looking way too relaxed with her simple fade that never needed brushing.
“You look great—honestly.”
Skye fastened, then unfastened the next-to-top button on her uniform shirt. “How many buttons? I don’t want to look stiff or slutty. There doesn’t seem to be an in-between.”
Ten minutes ago, they received word that all parties had arrived. The AlgonCree had checked into their accommodations an hour before that. Why were they so slow delivering messages in this town? Skye couldn’t be certain Renée was with them, but it would make sense. Her grandmother had been encouraging her to become a diplomat, an ambassador like Aunt Camille. Surely the high chief brought her along.
“She won’t be looking at your buttons,” Lark said. “Her focus will be on youreyes—trust me.”
“I wouldn’t mind if she notices some of my other assets too.” Skye turned around to face her friend. “How did you get Queen Frost to notice you?”
Lark shrugged, letting her arms drop. “I don’t know—get shot?”
“Oh, she had her eye on you before that,” Skye said. “Besides, I really hope no shooting breaks out. But if it does …” She began to speculate how she could throw herself in the line of fire to protect Renée Rivard, whose graceful dance movements had hooked her the first time she’d seen the woman.
Skye had enjoyed the company of men and women, had fun times with both. They had all been temporary flings, a way to unwind, explore fresh experiences, or build friendships. None had stuck with her, carving out a place in her thoughts like Renée had. It was silly. They only spent a few days together, lived thousands of kilometers apart, and had hardly anything in common. Or maybe they did. Skye just wanted the opportunity to find out.
“Stop it!” Lark snapped. “Getting shot is the worst way to grab someone’s attention. Besides, I’m pretty sure she noticed you. Now, hurry up, or there’ll be no time to say hello before the summit starts. We’ll be on duty then, staring down the Iron Guard and whoever LeCun brought with him.”
“Yeah, yeah.” Nerves twisted in Skye’s stomach. “Come with me? Aunt Camille is assisting Queen Frost, prepping her for the meeting. You’ll still get to see her before they get locked in for who knows how long.”
Lark pinched the bridge of her nose. “I’ll walk down the street to their inn, but then I’m coming right back here. They will not head out to the courthouse without me at Azaleen’s side.”
