Crown of Moonlight (Court of Midnight and Deception #2) - K.M. Shea Page 0,26
I innocently said.
“NO!” Lady Korinna and Lord Dion said as one.
I cackled some more. “You guys are so much fun to tease. But seriously, don’t worry about it. None of this is stuff they can call me out on—and if they realize the truth, maybe it will teach them a thing or two about the tenacity of humans.”
Lady Korinna looked pained, but when a fae from a different Court called out to her, she curtsied. “If you’ll excuse me, my Sovereign.”
Huh. Indigo started calling me that after she swore loyalty to me. Is it a special title or something?
I magnanimously smiled, then glanced at Lord Dion. “Still sticking around?”
“In hopes that I can tell you how dangerous this is, yes.”
“Oh, please. You’re a lawyer—you dodge the truth all the time.” I glanced back at my entourage, which had rejoined me. “I think the important question is if my fae advisor agrees with you or me,” I asked Lord Linus.
Lord Linus winked. “When in doubt, lie through your teeth.”
“Why is it you only ask for his advice when you know it’s going to be improper?” Skye asked.
“Because that’s the only time I would ever want to hear his advice,” I said. “Shall we head out? Or do I have to mingle longer?”
“I think it would be best if we finished for the night,” Skye delicately said.
“Yeah.” Indigo adjusted her cat eye glasses, which would have made her look disapproving, if not for the smile she was trying to hide. “No telling what you’ll do if we stick around.”
“Really? I was hoping I’d have the opportunity to dance with you, Skye.” Lord Dion gave her a smile, which was more dazzling than usual thanks to the way his crimson red hair flickered like flames in the soft light of the ballroom.
“I’m sure it will be an easy thing for you to find a different dancing partner,” Skye said.
I twisted back to look at Skye—she was fussing with her clutch and paying zero attention to Lord Dion, who was staring at her as if he’d never been refused before.
Hmm, now that’s an attraction I’m not sure I would have guessed. But maybe I’m jumping ahead a little bit.
“If we’re good with leaving, I’ll find Hazel and say my farewells, and then we can head out,” I said.
“I’ll send word to Azure to bring the car around,” Chase said.
“Thanks, everyone. You’re the best!” I said.
All of them laughed, and there was something fun about the moment.
I didn’t feel like I was scrambling like I had a month ago, because I trusted them.
Yeah, I was going to have to do something about the other Courts, yes someone was trying to assassinate me, and yes, the shrinking Night Realm was a major problem.
But at least I finally had friends.
“It’s just as well we retire earlier than typical from tonight’s ball,” Skye announced. “Tomorrow you have magic lessons with Lord Linus, an appointment with the accountant, a meeting with several pixie representatives, and you’re to attend the reopening of a garden in one of the apartment complexes built on the land owned by the Night Court in the human realm.”
I frowned. “I thought you were supposed to be teaching me about the annual Night Court functions and fae functions tomorrow.”
“I intend to—when we’re in the car driving between appointments.”
“Greaaat.”
“Cheer up.” Indigo patted my free hand—the one I wasn’t holding on to Rigel’s arm with. “I’ll buy you something from the supernatural market if you’re good for the next few days.”
I perked up. “When is that?”
“In two weeks.”
“I want to go!”
Skye pressed her lips together. “Monarchs don’t attend local markets.”
Chapter Seven
Leila
It turns out, Night Court monarchs attend local markets!
I grinned and clapped with the humans as I passed a werewolf juggling knives at the very front of the market. “This is going to be fun!”
“The supernatural markets are enjoyable—if not a little misrepresented,” Indigo said. She walked at my side, eyeing up the stalls with interest.
“Everything okay back there, Chase…and Rigel?” I asked.
Chase had his ear piece in and was dutifully scanning the crowd, though he stopped long enough to give me a reassuring smile. “My people are in place. You may proceed as you wish, Queen Leila.”
Rigel was loitering behind us, drawing whispers and looks from all the humans who saw him.
I wasn’t entirely sure why he’d come. He’d actually been MIA for two days, but then abruptly showed up when Indigo and I were hopping in the car to leave and wordlessly joined us.