have viable reasons behind them, my Sovereign,” Skye said.
“I’m really glad, but I was hoping someone would be upset.”
“Don’t worry—I’m sure some of the nobles will faint,” Skye said.
“Faint in awe, right?” I winked at her, then glanced up at my consort when I felt his dark eyes on me.
“My shirt stays closed,” Rigel said. “But I’ll wear my jacket.”
“The one you wear when you’re in your Wraith mode? Really?” I squealed and clapped my hands. “Great—you look awesome in that. Oh—and then we can say it’s in memory of our first meeting!”
The subtle light of Rigel’s rare humor sparked in his dark eyes.
“Though—don’t get me wrong—I’ll mourn the lack of your abs,” I said.
“It has come to my attention that you mainly seem to esteem me for my appearance,” Rigel said.
“Nah.”
“Given how often you carry on over my abs, I must disagree.”
“He’s not wrong,” Indigo piped in.
“I can’t be that bad.”
“Before your marriage, I don’t believe the term ‘ripped’ or ‘amazing abdominals’ had ever been uttered by any fae,” Skye said.
“Ah. Okay, I see your point. Very well! I shall endeavor to start bringing up your other good points, Rigel! I’ve gotta be a supportive wife, after all. Though I wish you’d quit your day job.”
The gnome artist made a mewling noise of distress as Rigel shrugged on the slitted jacket that made him look even more wild and spectacular.
“Would you rather I hold a sword for the portrait?” he asked. “It’d be more imposing and impressive.”
He was changing topics—a tricky fae…trick—but I knew this was a battle I wasn’t going to win. I gave up and took the offering. “That is an excellent idea! Want to borrow my pistol, too?”
“No, thank you.”
“Your loss.”
As I took up my place with Solstice, Eclipse, and my other pets so the poor artist could begin, it occurred to me that I was actually happy.
I’d been miserable those first few weeks after being queen. But I’d come to trust Skye, Indigo, and Chase. Rigel, surprisingly, had become a fun addition to our group.
He’s willing to play along a lot more than I thought any fae would.
I smiled, and I felt warmth settle in my chest.
We’re going to be okay. We’re in it for the long ride. The other monarchs are poisonous, but eventually I’ll wear them down. It might take years, but eventually I’ll get the other Courts to stop fighting.
Chapter Twelve
Rigel
All my life, Night Court socials and events were occasions I dreaded. When my parents and brother were alive, it meant being dragged to a stuffy party filled with insincere people who insulted me or even slapped me if they felt it fortified their position of power above my family’s.
Once I was the sole member of my family, they became things I despised.
Queen Nyte always skulked around, whispering in my ear as she tried to lure me into a contract or bargain while the rest of the Court was too terrified of my reputation and the bodies I left in my wake to approach me.
They were suffocating, cloying, and I knew I wasn’t the only one who hated them.
How did things change in such a short amount of time?
“No, no, no. Don’t get two small popcorns, get one big tub,” Leila instructed Dusk and Dawn. “I specifically rented the three theaters today because it’s Discount Wednesday when their popcorn and drinks are half off. That means the large tub is—for this event only—the better buy.”
The stable managers nodded in unison. “If you do the math, you can see it.”
“Exactly,” Leila agreed. “Remember to tell them to put it on my tab. You guys are my employees. I’ll pay for your snacks. But for crying out loud, do not tell Lord Linus!”
I let my arms fall to my side, casually checking that the artifact I had slipped into the top of my right boot was still secure. It was a prized piece of my weapons collection because, although it appeared to be a butter knife, once magic touched it, it transformed into a full broadsword.
It was one of the few weapons I could easily smuggle into the facility.
“Yes, Queen Leila,” the siblings chorused. They bowed to her, then ambled off to join the line at the concession counter.
Leila smiled fondly at their backs, then spun around to speak to her steward. “Skye, how long until the movie in the third theater is over?”
“Half an hour,” Skye said.
“And the movie in theater one already started?”
“Yes—it is a romantic comedy, I believe. Theater two has