Crown of Moonlight (Court of Midnight and Deception #2) - K.M. Shea Page 0,79

make sure you use them for your causes before then.”

Whoa, that is dark. What do I even say to that?

“But you act differently,” Lady Chrysanthe abruptly said. “You treat your inner circle with kindness and trust. You know your people—not because you wish to use your knowledge against them, but because they’re important to you. I want that.”

She rested her saucer on her knee. “I’m tired of pretending, tired of playing a game no one is ever going to win. That’s why I’m telling you this.” She met my gaze. “Because I don’t wish to keep living for power.”

She held my gaze, but she still swallowed nervously, and her hands trembled a little.

Is that what she’s been doing this whole time since she got weird? Trying to talk to me?

I studied the fae lady, who had previously mocked and laughed at me. “You wanna be friends?”

Chapter Eighteen

Leila

Chrysanthe blushed such a bright pink she practically glowed in the soft light of the Night Realm. “Friends? You are incredibly forward, Queen Leila, to think your offer of friendship would matter.” Though her voice was haughty, it was impossible to miss how happy she was.

She ripped her eyes from mine and peered around, her nose up in the air, but her hands had stopped shaking, and the tiniest smile—a real smile, not one of spite—played at her lips even though she tried to smooth it out.

Aw, there’s no harm playing with her a little—she needs to loosen up anyway.

“Oh? In that case I’ll apologize for my forwardness and rescind the offer of friendship,” I said.

“There’s no need for that!” Lady Chrysanthe rushed to say. “I happen to be very understanding. I’ll look past it.”

“No, no. I couldn’t possibly leave it—based on what you’ve said it seems like a terrible faux pas!”

“The mistake has already been made. You cannot take it back,” Lady Chrysanthe primly said. “You merely must strive not to repeat it.”

“Admit it, Chrys,” I said. “You really want to be my friend.”

Her nose went up a little higher, and her blush deepened to a shade of red. “Hmph!”

“You’re not even going to protest your nickname? Now I know you want to be friends. Don’t worry—everyone will warm up to you. Well, except Rigel. I’m pretty sure he only warms up to animals.”

“I would never presume to correct a queen on the way to address me.” Lady Chrysanthe sipped her tea—which had to be cold by now.

“I have no idea how you just managed to say that massive lie. Was it because you didn’t name me specifically?” I asked.

“Rude,” Lady Chrysanthe sniffed.

“Hey, you were the one who wanted to be friends with me.”

“I never!”

I laughed loudly enough to stir the night mares from where they’d been inspecting the half-dead gardens. “Sorry, my lovelies,” I called to them. “It’s fine!”

I grinned as I watched them go back to nibbling on some of the few half-alive shrubberies. “They still are skinny. Why can’t I get them to gain any weight?”

“Their appearance reflects the state of the Court,” Lady Chrysanthe said.

“Yeah, so I’ve been told. But I don’t think things are in that dire of straits anymore. I mean, they should at least be able to stop drooling blood!” I said.

“I have brought it,” Skye announced. She reverently held the staff in front of her, her hands wrapped in what looked like a silk banner so she wasn’t touching the staff with her bare skin. She went through the door this time—can’t be casual and hop through a broken window while carrying the staff of the Original Creep. No, no!

“Great,” I said with as much sarcasm as I could muster. “I’m stoked.”

“It’s a worthwhile experiment,” Lady Chrysanthe said.

“Yeah, except neither of you have to touch it, and I do,” I grumbled.

“If it works, it means you’ll be able to defend the lands better,” Skye—knowing just where to poke me—said.

“Okay, okay, let’s get this over with. I’m staying seated this time though,” I grumbled.

Skye held out the staff for me. I gritted my teeth, then set my fingertips on the crescent moon top.

Again, the world rocked as magic pulsed through my brain. It felt like I was simultaneously on fire and drowning. I felt the wild magic everywhere—it was so strong I couldn’t even see. My brain was too busy trying to cope with the magic that flooded my body.

Someone yanked my hand off the staff, and I wheezed, finally able to breathe again.

Once my eyes recovered, I discovered it was Chrysanthe who had plucked my