It was time to deploy some charm.
“I know I’m being fussy,” I said, giving her my most winning smile. “But Sasha is… Well, she’s remarkable. Brilliant and serious and completely unlike anyone I’ve ever met. I want everything to be perfect. And I know that the only way to ensure perfection is to put it in your capable hands.”
Alaina’s expression softened. “You really care for her.”
“I do.” The admission came easily because it was true. “More than I probably should after only knowing her for such a short time.” She’d made an impression on me the first time we met, however, while signing our marriage agreement. I hadn’t been able to stop thinking about her since.
“Love doesn’t follow a schedule, Your Majesty,” Nan said from the ovens, her voice gentle. “Sometimes it arrives all at once, like a summer storm.”
“Perhaps.” I set my basket of ingredients on the counter, letting my magic flow through them one more time. Everything felt connected to my court. “Alaina, would you mind keeping an eye on the preparation personally? I know it’s a lot to ask when you have so much else to manage, but?—”
“Of course I will,” she said. “I’ll oversee every step myself. Nothing will go wrong with this dinner, I promise you.”
Relief flooded through me. “Thank you. Truly.”
“Though I should mention,” she added with a sly smile, “the way to a witch’s heart might not be through her stomach. From what I saw this morning, your queen seems more interested in mysteries than meals.”
“Oh, I’m counting on that too,” I said. “But a man must do what he can.”
The kitchen staff chuckled, and the tension I’d been carrying eased. They’d watch the food, keep it safe, and never realize they were doing anything more than helping their king romance his new bride.
Getting people to do what you needed while makingthem think it was their idea all along was political management at its finest.
“I’ll get started right away.” Alaina was already reaching for the vegetables I’d selected. “You go make yourself presentable. We can’t have you showing up to this dinner in council clothes.”
I glanced down at my formal robes. “You make an excellent point.”
“We’ll have everything ready in an hour,” Tomis called out as I headed for the door.
“You’re all wonderful,” I said. “The court is lucky to have you.”
Their pleased expressions followed me out into the corridor. As the kitchen door swung shut behind me, I smiled. The food wouldn’t bring on laughter, Sasha would be fed something she’d enjoy, and I’d managed to arrange it all with the kitchen staff without revealing my suspicions about contamination.
Now I just had to hope the dinner itself lived up to this careful planning.
The manor house hallways stretched quietly around me, most of the staff having retired for the evening or moved to their own quarters. Magical lights flickered to life as I passed, responding to my presence with a soft glow.
Portraits along the walls turned to follow me as I passed, their painted eyes tracking me with interest. One elderly fae lord tipped his painted hat, while a lady in elaborate court dress adjusted her fan.
“Good evening, Your Majesty,” they whispered from the canvas.
I dipped my head their way. “A good evening to you.”
I came across more wilted plants in the alcoves, decorativevines that should be lush and green but drooped against the stone walls instead.
Another problem to solve, but not tonight. Tonight was for Sasha and me, for building something beyond investigating this mess.
“Dominic.”
I turned to find my mother emerging from a side corridor, elegant as always in a flowing gown of deep purple. Her silver-streaked hair had been arranged in a simple style that looked more regal than her usual court fashion.
“Mother,” I said. “I thought you’d retired for the evening.”
“I was reading in the library.” She studied me with those sharp eyes that had governed this court for decades. “You look pleased with yourself.”
“Do I?”
“Mm. The kind of pleased that usually means you’ve either won at something or you’re planning to.”
