Crown of Moonlight (Court of Midnight and Deception #2) - K.M. Shea Page 0,112
me up and down. “And I don’t mind saying so myself, but you look gorgeous. Doesn’t she, Consort Rigel?” Indigo turned to Rigel for confirmation.
I maybe would have felt awkward under his careful consideration, but I was too wound up about the meeting to feel anything besides the somersaults my stomach was performing.
Something—fondness, maybe—played in Rigel’s dark eyes. He took a step closer to me. “You look ready for the battle you’re about to enter—and win.”
I stood a little straighter; the slight weight of my crown made me more aware of my posture, and I pulled my shoulders back. “Thank you. And thank you, Indigo, for your help.”
Indigo waved a hand through the air. “Think nothing of it—it was fun! This is the first time you’re really showing off your fae blood.”
What she meant was it was the first time I was wearing a gown by a fae designer.
Of course, this meant the dress was made of gauzy material with enough gems sewn into the torso of my gown to make it sparkle, but it did give me that extra flair that human gowns lacked.
The dress itself was somewhat reminiscent of human fashion—a mermaid gown with a v-neck, made of dark purple fabric and accented with silver detailing that looked like stars if you squinted just right. The fae flair came in the gauzy cloak—the same dark shade of purple as the dress, but see-through except for the silver star embroidery—that settled over my shoulders like sleeves and cascaded down my back.
It had the very pleasing effect of billowing with my hair—long and loose—whenever I walked.
That was the vibe we were going for—wild, unbound, and hopefully dangerous. Or bossy—whatever worked best for the moment.
“It’s time.” Skye looked up from the stopwatch app she’d been using on her phone and nodded to me.
I nodded, and gathered up my cloak/train a little so I could walk up to the meeting room without getting it dirty.
“Good luck, my Sovereign,” Chrysanthe said.
I frowned at her in surprise. “Aren’t you coming in with us?”
Chrysanthe’s cheeks turned the faintest pink, and she snuck a peek at Chase, who was standing off to the side with a small band of Night Court guards. “My presence will not help you. I’d rather stay out here and maybe be of use in other ways?”
Oohh, someone has a thing for Chase!
It wasn’t shocking—the werewolf was as attractive as he was likeable. I mean, I married above my league with Rigel—especially when he smiled—but Chase was handsome with his yellow werewolf eyes that set off his sepia-brown skin and warm grins.
It was maybe a little surprising because supernaturals don’t tend to mix romantically, but it wasn’t taboo or anything.
In fact, Chrysanthe’s little revelation was the cute moment I needed—it made me relax a little.
I could embrace my new friend developing a crush on my director of security. That was way more fun than the smack down I was about to deal.
But I’m not going to stand by and let the fae get wiped out because the other Courts in the Midwest are stubborn, I reminded myself.
“It’s fine,” I said. “I’m just glad you’re here.”
Chrysanthe stopped giving Chase a sappy look, and her expression turned serious as she bowed to me. “Of course, my Sovereign. I’ll follow you wherever you go.”
“Thanks, Chrys.” I smiled at my unlikely new friend, then set my shoulders, and strode up to the meeting room.
If I thought about it, I’d talk myself out of it, so I didn’t stop at the doors, but shoved them in, striding into the meeting room with all of the false bravado I could muster…and was totally unprepared for what I found.
All the monarchs were present, and Solis had chosen a pleasant room, well-lit by sunlight from the giant windows on either side of the door, which bounced off the many mirrors hammered into the white plaster walls.
A round table was placed in the center of the room—with a massive sun design cut into its wooden surface. I had imagined the monarchs would sit around the table and exchange insults.
Instead, they had erupted into a brawl.
Verdant jumped on Birch’s back, and was attempting to put a choke hold on the Summer King. “You killed my stag!” she screamed at the Summer King—whose veins were starting to pop on his forehead.
“Verdant, this is not the wisest course of action.” Solis tried to pry her off without injuring her, and he got elbowed in the nose for his trouble.