by K. M. Shea
“You’ve already shown your understanding of words is flexible,” Landon said. “This just proves it.”
“Why did you choose these particular naming patterns?” Rigel asked.
I turned toward him in surprise as Muffin licked her chops. “What do you mean?”
“The other gloom that commonly follows you is named Whiskers, and I’ve heard you call the other shade that shadows your steps Kevin,” Rigel said.
“Yeah, I gave Whiskers and Muffin the most common cat names I could think of—same with their little friends who usually stay out in the stables, Patches and Fluffy. I thought that might make people think they’re cuter.”
“And the shades?”
“I gave them really bland human names,” I admitted. “I figure calling any creature—even a shade—Larry or Barbra would make them seem less…fierce.”
“It didn’t work,” Landon flatly said.
“Landon,” Rhonda growled. “What have I told you about insulting customers’ animals?”
“You told me I couldn’t tell dog owners that their fluffy purse dogs were runty. You didn’t say anything about deadly—what did you call them? Shades?”
Rhonda shook her head as Steve sat like a perfectly obedient dog, her dark tail swishing across the wood floor. “Go check on the drive through.”
“Happily!” The teenager shuffled off as Rhonda slipped Steve another cookie.
When Muffin screamed like a goblin, Rhonda chuckled and gave the cat another cookie as well.
“Okay, Leila. What’s your choice for today? Your summer usual?”
“Nope, I’m going to go with an iced miel today. The sixteen-ounce, please.”
“You got it!” Rhonda went to wash her hands at the sink as I turned to my deadly hubby.
“A miel is made of espresso and steamed milk, and is flavored with honey and cinnamon,” I explained. “But, here’s the important question. Do you like your drinks sweet, or do you prefer something more bitter?”
Rigel shifted, his eyes flicking from me to the menu written out on chalkboards that were bolted to the walls. “I despise sweet tea.”
“Pretty sure everyone in the south just cried out in a great shared pain at that one, but okay,” I said. “Do you add milk to your tea?”
“Occasionally.”
“Great—Rhonda, can you make a cortado for Rigel?”
“Any flavor shots?”
I glanced at Rigel; he was looking down at Steve, who was sniffing his boots. “I’m going to go with no.”
“Gotcha.”
The chortles and gurgles of the machinery sounded like sweet music to me as Rhonda set about making our drinks.
Muffin purred as she leaned into me while Steve continued her investigation of Rigel’s boots.
“Thanks for coming with me today,” I said.
Rigel shrugged. “It’s been interesting.”
“And educational?”
Rigel gave me the side eye. “Getting coffee to the mansion is your battle. You’re not dragging me into it.”
“Come on, you’re the best chance of an ally that I have,” I complained. “This is the most important fight I want you to be a part of!”
“No.”
Again, I thought I saw that flash of amusement in Rigel’s eyes.
“What is it?” I asked.
Rigel minutely shook his head. “More of your strangeness.”
“What about this could you possibly think is strange? I just have different tastes!”
“It’s not the café,” Rigel said. “It’s that your ongoing fight for coffee is the only real fight you’ve asked me to enter.”
“And?”
“Given your position and my abilities, it’s strange.” Rigel said.
“Maybe, but it’s a good strange, right?” I asked, not really expecting an answer.
Rigel briefly glanced at me, before he turned to the door. “Yes. A different…but good strange.”
Before I could ask him any follow up questions, the bell above the door jingled as someone entered the store.
I started to reel Steve in—worried the new customers might be scared of my pets’ presence.
“Oh my gosh! Is that the Night Queen?”
Surprised, I turned around.
Two women—one of them holding the hand of a toddler—were crowded in the door. They removed their sunglasses so they could gawk at me, their shock turning into smiles.
“It is!” the toddler-toter said. “Hi—we’re big fans. We cheered for you at the races!”
“Your horses were so sweet with you!” the second woman said.
“Thank you,” I said. “I appreciate your support.”
“And you were at the races, too.” The woman stooped over and picked up her toddler, balancing him on her hip as she peered at Rigel. “The screens showed you greeting her.”
Rigel stared at the women and said nothing.
“This is Rigel, my consort,” I said.
The second woman’s face lit up. “You’re married—to a fae warrior? That’s perfect! And you look great together!”
“Yeah—with your opposite hair and eyes you really look like the rulers of the night sky!”
I glanced at Rigel to see how he was handling their enthusiasm, but he’d returned to peering down at Steve—who was looking up at him and wagging her tail.
“Thanks,” I said.
“Can we take a picture with you?” the second woman asked.
“Is that okay with you, Rigel?” I asked.
“Yes,” Rigel said—unexpectedly.
“Okay, then. Come on closer. Landon—can you take our picture?” I called back to the teenager as I backed away from the counter.
“Yeah—as long as I don’t have to get near your beasts!”
One of the women came to stand by Rigel.
He stared at her until she meekly moved to my open side with her friend.
Satisfied, Rigel inched closer to me, and I slightly tipped my head in his direction—I figured I should make it look like we’re in love, or at least friendly.
Surprisingly, the woman without the kid kneeled down by Muffin and Steve, resting a hand on their backs without any hesitation. The woman with the toddler passed her phone over to Landon.
“Everyone say ‘Night Court’,” Landon ordered.
“Night Court!”
“Leila, Rigel, I’ve got your drinks,” Rhonda called when we finished.
“Wow, you really do order coffee here,” the second woman said.
“Yep. It’s my favorite café in Magiford,” I said.
“Make sure you tell that to everyone you know!” Rhonda said.
I laughed. “I will, but we should probably head out. Rigel, can you grab my drink for me?”
Rigel retrieved my miel, but to my surprise he took Steve’s leash from me and passed me my drink. Still holding Steve’s leash, he picked up his cortado and led the way out, Steve trotting at his side.
“You two look like those adorable celebrity couples out in LA!” one of the women laughed.
I laughed nervously. “Thanks?”
“You’re welcome! Just think—we’ve got the only Night Queen and consort here in Magiford! Isn’t that thrilling?”
“Absolutely!”
The door swung shut behind us, and I sipped from my drink, humming in joy. “Oh, espresso. I’ve missed you so much!” I tried to nonchalantly give Rigel the side eye. “What do you think?”
Rigel took a cautious sip of his cortado. “The froth is an interesting texture.”
“And the flavor?”
“It’s earthier than black tea, but I can see why you like it.”
“You just won major husband points there. But does that mean you think it’s okay?”
Rigel nodded once, then stepped off the curb and into the parking lot. “What is your regular order?”
“It changes every season, but in summers I love iced caramel lattes—though I’m unashamedly a pumpkin spice girl come autumn!�
��
“I see.”
I opened the back door to my truck cab. Muffin easily sprang in, but Steve just put her paws on the flooring and wagged her tail at me, hoping I’d boost her giant butt into the seat, which so wasn’t happening. Steve was so tall, she barely needed to hop to get into the truck. “Ready to head home?” I momentarily left Steve and put my drink in a cupholder as I leaned between the front seats to unclip Muffin’s leash and collar.
“Yes.” Rigel said.
I almost hit my head on the side of my truck when he scooped Steve up as if she was a puppy, set her in my truck, then unclipped her leash and collar.
“Thanks,” I said.
Rigel shrugged. “I’m still not helping you get your coffee machine.”
“You are such a tease.”
“At least I’m not strange like you.”
I thought I was done with fancy shindigs for at least a few weeks, but it turns out I was wrong.
Every year the Curia Cloisters had an annual Summer’s End Ball. It was extravagant, and while Hazel swore it had really great food, the only thing to do there was talk and dance.
I knew it existed, but it didn’t occur to me I was going to have to go…until on the morning of the ball I learned that—as a fae monarch—I had to attend.
It was supposed to be pretty safe—the Curia Cloisters were considered a safe haven area, no fighting was allowed—so I only had Chase, Indigo, Skye, Lord Linus, and Rigel with me for the night. Well, Rigel had come with us, but he’d disappeared into the crowd of shifters, wizards, vampires, and fae about an hour ago.
There were a few other Night Court nobles, but they’d already said their hellos and were mingling with the other fae. Hazel, Killian, and the Paragon were still being waylaid by adoring crowds. I hadn’t had a chance to greet them yet, leaving me with plenty of time to contemplate the important things in life.
“Chase, do you think it’s safe to eat the food here?” I asked my director of security as I stared at the massive buffet of desserts.
“I wouldn’t recommend risking it at this time.” Chase never stopped scanning the crowd of the local supernatural movers and shakers. “Considering someone attempted to kill you at your own wedding not long ago.”
I gloomily sighed. “Good point.”
“It’s just as well,” Skye said. “I would expect tonight you will officially meet the other monarchs.”
“Yeah, except we’ve been here for nearly two hours already and none of them will even look at me.” I tried to discreetly twitch my skirts, which had gotten a slight wrinkle in them.
Indigo had stuffed me in a mermaid gown—which was fitted all the way from my hips to my knees, making it a little hard to run away and was probably why Indigo had chosen it.
Tonight’s dress was a dove gray color, with silvery lace applique over the bodice and sleeves. My crown was nestled into my thick hair—which Indigo had braided and pinned up—so the metal band didn’t squeeze my head.
“Patience,” Lord Linus advised. “They’re trying to assert their power station by refusing to greet you.”
“Does that mean I should remind them how the night mares absolutely trashed all the other Courts in the summer race?” I asked.
Lord Linus grinned. “Absolutely!”
“No—she should not!” Skye loudly and firmly said.
Lord Linus immediately shook his head. “I mean, no. Nooo, definitely not. Wouldn’t be a very mature thing to do.”
I cracked a smile at Lord Linus, but before I could say anything, King Solis joined us.
“Good evening, Queen Leila, Lord Linus—and to you as well, obviously, Skye, Indigo, and Chase.” King Solis smiled as he warmly greeted my employees, his golden hair twinkling in the radiant light cast by the chandeliers.
“Hello, King Solis,” I said.
Skye, wearing a peach colored dress that wonderfully complimented her golden hued skin, bowed. “I am gratified you remember me, King Solis.”
King Solis laughed. “Of course I remember you—you and Indigo were backup singers for Queen Leila during our karaoke sing off, and I believe even Chase sang a line or two. You’re all very skilled singers, and I look forward to a rematch.”
“Even if we do, no one could defeat Pre-Dominant Harka, her mate, and Chase’s pack,” I said. “They were amazing—I almost cried.”
Chase bowed. “Thank you, Queen Leila.”
“They were unbeatable,” King Solis agreed. “But each performer brought so much to the table. For example, I also deeply enjoyed Lord Linus’s rousing song.”
I eyed the fae lord. “Ahh, yes. You mean his drinking song?”
“It’s an Irish drinking song that I learned while touring the UK,” Lord Linus said. “That makes singing it a cultural celebration!”
“Whatever. The important thing is, I’m glad you enjoyed it, King Solis,” I said. “I know it was a bit of an unusual party by fae standards.”
King Solis laughed. “Of course! It was a marvelous time. I hope you hold similar functions in the future.”
“You can plan on it,” I promised. I blinked when I saw two familiar faces in the crowd. “Oh—did you bring your acquaintances to this party as well?”
“Angstra and Manith? Yes, they’re somewhere around.” King Solis peered around the room without much concern.
“Do I need to let you leave so you can entertain them?” I asked.
“Nonsense,” King Solis said. “They’ll be pleased with their activities tonight regardless of whether I’m with them or not.”
“I see.”
I didn’t, actually, but it was my prerogative as a half fae to lie as I liked, and I was willing to agree for Solis—the one monarch I actually liked.
I glanced at the nearest fae ruler—Queen Verdant, who was laughing with enough enthusiasm that she could be heard above the stringed quartet and the accompanying piano player.
“I wouldn’t recommend it,” King Solis said.
“Recommend what?” I asked.
“Approaching the other monarchs,” he said.
“I wasn’t planning on it, but now you have me curious. Why shouldn’t I?”
King Solis’s lips quirked in a cryptic smile, and for the first time since meeting him months ago, I saw the renowned fae cunning make his eyes glint. “Because.” His voice was far deeper and less balmy—more like the enigmatic way Rigel talked sometimes. “They were the ones who underestimated you and attempted to give you the cut by failing to attend your party. Your rather illustrious guest list was a far bigger coup, which means their showmanship was for nothing and they are now the ones who look foolish.”
I glanced at Queen Verdant again. “I understand it, but I don’t like it,” I said. “I hate double meanings, and when people use innocent things to struggle for power.”
“You’re the Night Queen. This will be your life from now until the day you die,” King Solis said.
I shivered. “Don’t say it like that, please.”
“My poor daughter,” Lord Linus soothed. “Don’t worry. They’ll approach you soon anyway, just wait for it.”
“What is she to wait for, Lord Linus?” King Solis asked.
At that moment Hazel popped out of the crowd. “Oh good—you’re still here!” She beamed, totally oblivious to the giant vampire that flanked her. “I’m sorry, Leila, I want to catch up, but Elite Bellus keeps dragging me off to meet more people. But he said I should tell you he and Pre-Dominant Harka enjoyed themselves, and he hopes you throw another party again, because he’ll be the first to arrive.”
“Thank you, Hazel. I hope you and Killian had fun?” I asked.
“Oh yeah.” Hazel wildly nodded her head, making the perfect curls her blond hair was coiled in tumble over her shoulder. “That shooting range was excellent, and next time I’m bringing a change of clothes so I can really fight dirty against Killian in laser tag.”
“No burning my shrubbery next time,” I warned.
“Got it!�
�� Hazel gave me a thumbs up, then made a face. “I better get back to Elite Bellus—but call me!”
I waved to the petite wizard as Lord Linus made a show of adjusting his cufflinks.
“She was waiting for that,” Lord Linus smirked.
Ahh yes. More politics. It’s now obvious that we’re friends, and our conversation was a reminder that all the big players in Magiford came to my party. I’m sure there’s some kind of power play there—at least the other fae will interpret it that way.
I wanted to massage my forehead. Seriously, the fae could turn a bowling game into a political maneuver if they were given the opportunity.
“Queen Leila.”
A cool breeze tickled my side, and I turned to the side to greet the monarch who had first approached me, Queen Rime of the Winter Court.
Chapter Six
Leila
I was aware that Queen Rime was considered the most powerful monarch in the region both personally and politically since she was also the fae representative on the Regional Committee of Magic—Skye had endlessly quizzed me about the monarchs, after all.
Queen Rime was known for her reluctance in politicking, and held on to her power through the impassable alliance she had with her siblings, each of which ruled over the Winter Courts in the various regions of the USA.
But it was one thing to know that—and to even have seen Queen Rime from a distance—and another to actually meet her.
I was unprepared for the icy air that flowed around her, and this close her paleness—her light-colored eyes, fair skin, and hair that was a pure shade of white—seemed to almost make her eyelashes glitter.
Not married, and no children, I mentally recited from Skye’s list.
“Good evening, Queen Rime!” King Solis was back to his bright personality, all warmth and dazzling once again as he grinned at the fae queen. “Might I introduce you to Queen Leila of the Night Court?”
Queen Rime raised an eyebrow at him.
I glanced at Skye, who nodded at me, before I spoke up. “Good evening, Queen Rime.”
Queen Rime slightly closed her eyes in acknowledgment. “I believe this is our first official meeting.”
“Yes, it is,” I said.