life. This isn’t some temporary job.”
I clutched my mug to my chest, but she was right.
I had focused on surviving the way the fae wanted me to. I didn’t play up the strengths I had that they didn’t. I’d let them drag me into their game, and protested by being snippy with them, when in reality I could just change the game.
“You’re right, Mom,” I said.
“Naturally—I knew this day would come eventually. You were always so proud to be considered Paul’s daughter we both worried it would make you reject your blood.” She took my cake plate off my lap.
“Dad agrees with you?” I asked.
“Of course, but whenever he tried to encourage you to embrace your fae blood more, you’d do the opposite and dig in your heels and insist you’re human.” Mom briefly scowled. “He always did dote on you too much for your own good.”
I laughed.
“Sweetie, all I want for you is that you make a life for yourself—as queen—that makes you happy. What do you want?”
I stared at Bagel. “I don’t want to scramble around in the power games that they play. I’m sick and tired of them.”
Mom rattled the dish as she started for the house. “Then make it so they can’t play those games. Use your humanity—and knowledge of the human world—against them.”
Bagel gave a loud hee-haw that made his entire body move when he sucked in air.
Slowly, I smiled. “Okay. I think I know how I’m going to start.”
I’m pretty sure everyone back at the mansion knew I was up to something when I called Azure to tell her she didn’t need to come pick me up that night.
But none of them could have expected the fun I was about to unleash on them.
As I drove through the neighborhood, passing the apartments, houses, and eventually the mansions, the loud rumble of my truck drew people outside.
My mansion had a really well-lit driveway. It was easy to pull the truck around the circle, even with the trailer hitched up to it.
Trailers aren’t loads of fun to drive, and I hadn’t driven Dad’s much, but I was determined to see my plan through. I just drove reaaallly slow around the corners and avoided backing it up.
Eventide—in his white dress shirt and dark vest—was the first to greet me. “Welcome…home…Queen Leila?” He looked from me to the trailer.
“Don’t worry about this—Dad is coming to pick it up tomorrow morning.” I patted the side of the trailer, then walked around to the back end to open it up.
“Did you need to bring it for something?” Eventide scratched at the base of the small goat horns that popped up from the mop of his thick, curly brown hair.
“Oh, yes.” I was practically glowing with smugness. I swung the doors open and hopped inside. It was dark, but I was familiar with the trailer, so I was able to move the necessary bars, click and unclip the right ties, and lead out what I’d brought back.
Eventide clutched the bottom of his vest. “Is that…a donkey?”
Bagel stopped at the end of the trailer to happily hee-haw out to his new abode.
Surprisingly, I heard happy shrieks drift from the direction of the stables—the night mares must have heard him.
“Might I enquire what’s going on?” I heard Skye’s voice, and Bagel and I hopped off the trailer in time to see my steward, companion, and Lord Linus stroll down the front sidewalk.
When they saw my furry friend, they stopped dead.
“You brought a donkey back with you?” Indigo asked.
“Yep! This is Bagel.” I patted him on the neck, and he peeled back his lips to smile at my friends.
“Why?” Indigo asked.
“Because he’s my pet. I’m queen, I shouldn’t have to go without him.”
I turned to Skye—I’d thought she’d have lots of objections—but she was too busy opening her antacid tin and crunching pills to say anything.
To my surprise, Lord Linus strolled closer then squatted down next to Bagel and started stroking him.
Bagel preened under the attention.
“He’s cute,” Lord Linus said.
“Thanks.”
The screams coming from the direction of the stable were getting louder.
I better take him back there before they break their doors down.
“There should be room for him in the stables.” I tugged on Bagel’s lead rope. “But I still need to tell Dusk and Dawn—”
I jumped, and I heard bitten off curses and startled yelps behind me as a familiar stone archway and gate popped into existence.
Solstice, Eclipse, Nebula, Comet, Twilight, and Blue Moon charged through the gateway, prancing across the perfect lawn.
Bagel bellowed