Crown of Moonlight (Court of Midnight and Deception #2) - K.M. Shea Page 0,13
charming.
There was something deeply aggravating about the fact that although Lord Linus was my biological father and pretty much a wastrel, he looked like he was barely in his mid-thirties and was irritatingly good-looking.
“It’s a mystery I’ll certainly never understand,” I grumbled.
“But never mind Chase’s and my bromance. I’m more interested in your party—I see what you did.” Lord Linus grinned at me.
I tightened my grip on Rigel’s arm, which made me realize I was still holding said arm. I abruptly dropped it. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
“The other Courts are snubbing you by ignoring this party—they should have shown up by now, and as a fellow monarch they should have come to acknowledge you,” Lord Linus said. “Normally their iciness would make you look bad and lower your prestige, but instead you made arrangements for guests far more powerful than they to come, giving everyone who does attend the chance to forge new alliances and connections while casting the other Courts in a pretty poor light. Well done indeed, my sly daughter!”
“I didn’t actually do it on purpose.” I waved to a cluster of pixies who fluttered through the door, their wings dazzling flashes of light in the dim mood lighting. “And it’s really all just because I’m friends with Hazel. And Killian I guess. And I wanted Chase to feel free to invite his family, which was how Pre-Dominant Harka found out about it.”
“Of course she found out about it.” Lord Linus dramatically rolled his eyes. “Do you know how many crowning banquets werewolves are typically invited to? None!”
“Yeah, I guess not many werewolves work for Courts.” I glanced up at Rigel. “Did you have a nice day?”
Rigel’s forehead twitched so fast I almost didn’t see it. But after being married to him for more than two weeks—and more importantly after confusing and annoying him for over two weeks—I was getting better at seeing the tiny reactions he’d show. If you looked fast enough, anyway.
“Are you really attempting to exchange pleasantries in the middle of a party?” he asked.
Did I mention Rigel was as sarcastic as he was handsome?
He cut a nice figure in his dark clothes with his tall, lean build, but he was also blessed with staggering good looks and perfect silver hair that, unlike the rest of the fae, he usually cut short in something closer to human styles. His eyes put a bit of a dampener on his handsomeness, though. All the chiseled abs in the world wouldn’t make up for the dead, lifeless look that usually settled in his black eyes.
“I thought it was the polite thing to do instead of asking if you’d been murderizing,” I said.
“Lord Dion asked me to come over to see a sword he purchased,” Rigel said.
Lord Dion was Rigel’s best and only friend—although Rigel would never own up to the relationship. Lord Dion was charismatic, bright, and had a law practice for supernaturals.
In other words, he was the total opposite of my dark, brooding, assassin husband.
“I see.” Before I could ask anything more, another cluster of Night Court fae slipped through the doorway.
I slapped a smile on my face and grinned. “Good evening—and welcome to our celebration!”
Since none of the other fussy Courts are coming, tonight is going to be fun! I’m determined to enjoy it!
Chapter Four
Leila
“How are you holding up, my Sovereign?”
I glanced down at Indigo and flashed her what I hoped was a pleasant smile, even though I was so exhausted I was desperate enough to consider drinking tea.
“I could really use a latte, but it’s been enjoyable!” I backed up a few steps and pushed my back against the wall, barely avoiding one of the exuberant wizards who was dancing wildly to a song.
“Are you hungry?” Indigo asked.
I glanced from my sharp-eyed companion to the guests. “Nah. I’m okay—”
“I’ll make something for you.”
I hesitated, caught between the hunger gnawing at my stomach and my unwillingness to make Indigo work tonight. “That’s okay. Your parents are here tonight. You should have fun with them.”
“They won’t miss me for the twenty minutes it will take to make you a quick meal,” Indigo said. “In fact, I’ll tell them, and they’ll come with me—my mother would love to see the kitchens.”
“I couldn’t ask you to—”
“Leila, I want to.”
I chewed my lip. “Okay. Then yes, please. Thank you, Indigo.”
“You’re welcome.” Indigo had already turned away from me, adjusting her cat eye glasses as she looked over the crowd.