Crown of Moonlight (Court of Midnight and Deception #2) - K.M. Shea Page 0,37
it, and if you are right about your guess, it will solve the assassination attempts as well.”
“No, no, no,” I said. “I told you before, I don’t want to win the power games you fae play—I want to end it.”
“It may be possible for you to end political strife in the Night Court—at least during your reign,” Rigel said. “But the idea that you’ll ever be in a position to stop the other Courts from inciting fights and struggling to top one another is folly.”
Rigel, obviously, didn’t share my aspirations to end the infighting.
In fact, before we’d gotten married he’d told me that he was marrying me just so he could more easily kill me if I ended up being bad for the fae.
He’d relaxed on that vow—or at least I was assuming he had since he’d protected me in two different assassination attempts. Maybe he realized I wasn’t going to purposely bring ruin down on everyone?
Anyway, the point was I was still the only one cheering to end the games of power the fae played. Indigo, at least, was on my side. And I think Skye wanted to believe it was possible, but was afraid to hope I could pull it off.
“Rigel, Rigel, Rigel,” I sighed. “You are such a killjoy.”
“I grew up among the Courts of nobility,” Rigel said. “I’ve had to do terrible things to survive. That’s why I know your vision—though admirable—isn’t possible.”
I’d been playing with one of Muffin’s giant paws, but at the grimness in Rigel’s voice, I shifted on the couch so I could see him.
Rigel wasn’t looking back at me—he was staring into his bathroom, totally unaware of how sad his statement sounded. “Did that gloom turn on my shower?” he abruptly asked.
“Huh?” I said.
Rigel flicked his eyes to the door between our rooms, and threw a magic dagger. It hit the door, digging in hilt deep.
The door creaked open, and I barely had enough time to see a shocked and terrified Eventide standing on the other side of the door before Rigel stepped out of the shadows behind him.
How did he even get over there that fast?
“I assume he’s one of yours?” Rigel asked.
Eventide screamed and whirled around, his shoulders shaking as he peered up at Rigel.
“Y-yes,” I said once I found my voice. “Eventide—he’s a butler.”
Rigel glided around Eventide, stepped back into his bedroom, then closed the door in Eventide’s stunned face.
He wrenched his dagger from the door, leaving a gash in the door, then casually strolled back over to his bed.
My mind was still trying to catch up with him.
I hadn’t even seen where he pulled the dagger from.
I gulped.
I guess I really did take my life in my own hands when I burst in. But he doesn’t seem to mind too much?
Rigel tossed the dagger on the bed, then glanced in my direction. “I assume from the presence of your employee that you have something to see to? He was in your room and appeared to be holding a book.”
I hadn’t noticed the book, either. Wow, this has been a fun morning for my confidence!
“Yeah, I do a lot of studying this early in the morning, and I’m starting morning magic classes with Lord Linus this week, too.” I trailed off a little as I studied Rigel.
He had no qualms about terrifying poor Eventide, but he hasn’t made any indication that he really doesn’t want me busting into his room—besides complaining about the hour. I think…I think I trust him.
I cleared my throat and pushed Muffin off me so I could stand. “Yep, busy mornings. I need to get moving. Thanks, Rigel.”
He shrugged casually and turned his back to me.
I paused in the doorway of my room as it occurred to me I’d thanked Rigel several times, despite the dangers of saying thank you to a fae. I guess I trusted him a lot more than I even realized.
I bit my lip. “Hey Rigel?”
“What?”
“I really mean it.”
He peered at me over his shoulder. “What?”
“Thank you,” I repeated. “For everything.”
Rigel waited a moment, then nodded—acknowledging everything my thanks meant.
I gave him a super awkward smile as I tried not to ogle his abs, then closed the door.
Okay, maybe the “life advice” vampire wasn’t too far off. Maybe we are friends.
While I agreed to Skye telling me to take on Lord Linus as my teacher for my supplementary magic classes, I’d been planning to jettison him within days—I just had to give him enough time to prove his incompetence.