Crown of Shadows (Court of Midnight and Deception #1) - K. M. Shea Page 0,51

looked curious.”

“I was merely impressed with your fortitude, Queen Leila,” Indigo said.

“My fortitude?”

“I was also impressed with your conduct,” Skye said. “You were calm but measured in your responses. Most would have taken serious offense to Lady Chrysanthe’s words.”

“Oh. Well, it’s not like she said anything I wouldn’t have expected—or anything that was worth getting upset over. And besides.” I grabbed a plate and greedily scanned the table. “If I threw a fit, I knew you’d make me reread that book about ‘Good Manners Mandy,’ Skye. Did you know almost every line in that book rhymes? It reads like a Doctor Seuss book from your nightmares.”

“I would never ask you to reread it, Queen Leila,” Skye shook her head, and for the first time since I’d hired her, I saw the corners of her lips twitch. “I’d have you peruse the sequel, which follows the adventures of ‘Polite Paul’ and ‘Rude Randy’.”

I froze, and even the tantalizing smell of Italian food couldn’t drag me from gaping at Skye with horror. “Are you telling me there’s a series of these books?”

“One for every possible mishap, yes.”

I groaned. “That’s awful. You should tell Chase—he can use them as punishment for any wrong-doers.” I turned back to the buffet and pinned my clutch to my side with my elbow as I tried to decide what to go for first. I froze when I peered down to the end of the line and saw heaven: the dessert table.

I swiped up a cannoli, practically slobbering as my stomach rumbled. “Bless the Paragon for hosting the party here.” I closed my eyes in mental preparation—as excited as I was, I couldn’t scarf my food down—then took a big bite of the cannoli. The crunch of the rolled pastry and the smooth sweetness of the cream filling were delicious enough to make me hum in appreciation.

And then I felt the whispery brush of fae magic.

Oh, no.

My throat closed, and I couldn’t breathe.

Chapter Twelve

Leila

I tried to open my mouth to spit the cannoli out, but it felt like my teeth were glued shut.

It was spelled. What do I do?

I dropped my plate, and it shattered on the ground.

“Queen Leila?” Skye asked.

I fumbled with my purse, ripping it open and holding it upside down.

The bear mace fell out with a clank, my silver charm bracelet falling on top of it.

I dropped to my knees—my lungs were starting to burn, and the sweet cream filling was melting in my mouth and dripping down the back of my throat, but I couldn’t clear my airways.

“What’s wrong?” Indigo asked.

I grabbed my charm bracelet, then stared at it in horror.

I couldn’t open my mouth, and I needed to speak to activate my bracelet and cast a dispel charm.

My throat clogged. My heart beat like a drum in my ears.

“Queen Leila?” Skye repeated.

I reached up and grabbed her hand, then pointed from the cannoli to my mouth.

“…I’m sorry?” Skye frowned, thoroughly puzzled.

“Something’s wrong with the food.” Indigo dropped to her knees next to me. “She’s not talking.”

Skye, her forehead wrinkling, twisted her ring which was topped with a pink diamond and muttered under her breath.

Fae magic swirled around the ring, wispy but bright as it sucked the wild magic out of the air and twisted it into something Skye could use.

My vision was blurring and black around the edges.

Skye crouched and held out her hand to me.

The whispery feeling of fae magic intensified, then abruptly faded, as if it had snapped.

I opened my mouth and spat out the bite of cannoli, coughing and gagging as I tried to clear my throat and breathe without inhaling my spit.

Several long moments passed before I finally managed to take in a gulp of air.

“Thanks,” I gurgled.

“Happy to be of service.” Skye watched me with a worried expression while she and Indigo peered at my face.

“I can’t believe it!” I coughed and wiped my mouth off. “I was almost Snow White-ed. With a cannoli!”

Indigo was crouched next to me, her face tight with worry. “I’ll get the Paragon.”

“No!” I coughed again, grimacing at the new raspy feeling in my throat. “No,” I repeated in a much quieter tone. “Tell Chase and get this food removed and checked, but don’t tell anyone.”

“Queen Leila, someone tried to kill you at your first official social function. This is very serious,” Skye said.

“I know, but that’s also why we can’t let anyone know.” I could finally breathe enough that my heart was slowing down, though the air still tasted faintly of the