by K. M. Shea
Yes, she was sleeping, but if she was frightened of me I doubted she’d get this near to me—much less sleep in my bed.
This close, I could smell the scent of the shampoo she used, and her hair brushed my cheek as she snuggled into me. I reflexively tightened our embrace, and went still when Leila released a happy sigh.
This is why I’m willing to leave—to protect moments like this.
As I half prepared myself for rising, some kind of emotion twisted in my chest, and I felt a warmth I hadn’t experienced before.
I allowed myself the luxury of embracing her for a moment longer, then I forced myself to unhook her arms from my neck. “I need to go,” I said—as if she were awake to hear me.
It took some maneuvering, but I got her tucked back into her cave of blankets, with just the top of her head poking out.
I slid off the bed before she could reach for me again. “I’m doing this for you.”
Even in her sleep, Leila was so unimpressed that she flipped over onto her stomach and smashed her face into my pillow.
I exhaled in what could have been a laugh and was filled with the desire to delay my plans, stretch out on my bed, and drape my arm over Leila when she inevitably crept closer again.
I wasn’t much for touching—or allowing others into my personal space. I knew when I married Leila that I’d have to allow her some degree of PDA, but I hadn’t expected to enjoy it to the point where I would initiate it.
I’m losing my edge—what a shame.
I checked to make certain my handgun, extra magazines, and sword were properly secured, and then I released the magic that held my wings in.
They stretched high above me, even though I had them folded neatly. I only glanced at them—I’d never liked my wings. I didn’t like what they revealed about me.
A feather fell from one of my wings, drifting through the air.
It landed on the bed, and I almost retrieved it—I’d killed the few fae who had seen my wings, and I didn’t want proof of their existence lying around.
But it’s Leila.
I paused, then left the feather on the bed.
I flipped Leila on her side—knowing her she’d end up smothering herself if I didn’t—then sauntered across the room.
I opened the windows and crouched on the window sill, then looked back over my shoulder at the Night Queen.
“Don’t do anything impulsive—or stupid,” I warned her. I then stepped out into thin air and tapped my magic, slipping into the shadows.
I hid my wings as I unsheathed my sword strapped to my belt.
It was time to hunt.
Chapter Twenty-Six
Leila
I petted Barbra—one of the shades that had taken up residence in the stables with the night mares—then put a fresh water bowl in front of her, dodging when she tried to lick me her thanks.
“Thanks, but no thanks, Barbra,” I said.
Lord Linus dumped out another water bowl and refilled it at the tap before joining me, setting the water down in front of Larry, who happily wagged his tail. “I’m pleased with your progress in magic lessons—there’s been a great deal of improvement since you are finally using your full artifact.”
“Yeah, I’m hopeful it will make a big difference the next time I have to strengthen the barrier,” I said. “Can we practice that next week?” I glanced at the fae lord.
“Most assuredly,” Lord Linus said. “We can even go to the barrier and have you practice directly with it. It won’t do anything to shore up the defenses, but familiarizing yourself with the steps should help build confidence.”
I weakly smiled as I put two fresh bowls of water down for the glooms—who were still licking out their dishes from breakfast. “Yeah. I guess I need all the help I can get.”
“Hey, Leila.”
I’d been watching Fluffy try to steal Muffin’s bowl, but I looked up when Lord Linus said my name.
“Your royal artifact is the Original King’s staff,” he said. “You are undoubtedly the most powerful monarch the Night Court has had in a long time. But you’ve only been queen for half a year. Give yourself a break—you won’t be able to fix everything immediately,” he said.
I relaxed, and my smile grew stronger. “Thanks. You’re right.”
Somehow—between all the lessons and socials, and yeah, possibly Chase’s investigation into him—I’d come to begrudgingly like Lord Linus. We had a weird relationship—it certainly wasn’t father/daughter—but it worked, and I was thankful that he’d become my fae advisor.
Lord Linus winked. “Of course I’m right! You’re my darling daughter, the light in this cold, dark world, the brightest and most beautiful—all thanks to your fantastic genetics, I might humbly say.”
I laughed this time instead of rolling my eyes like I would have as I headed to the stable door.
I meant to grab a brush—I’d sent one of Chase’s guys out to a local pet store, and they picked up this special brush that was supposed to stimulate hair growth in pets—but I paused at the open door and looked out over the lawn.
Since Lord Linus and I kept to our early morning lessons, the lawn was still frosted over since the sun wasn’t high enough to melt it.
The morning air was especially chilly, and almost all the trees had lost their leaves, leaving a thick carpet that the gardeners had promptly raked up.
“Yeah,” I absently said. “I bet you regret missing my childhood.”
“No. Not at all.”
Surprised, I spun around. “What?”
Lord Linus was staring back at me, and for the first time he really looked like a fae. His expression was blank, almost cold in the lack of emotion—which looked alien on his normally smiling face.
He’d always had the appearance and charisma of a fae, but now, stripped down, I could see that same ugly ruthlessness, the same selfishness that plagued most fae, had been hidden deep within him as well.
“I don’t regret missing your childhood,” he factually said.
“But you’re always going on about how you missed out seeing me grow up,” I said, my stomach souring.
He blinked. “I wouldn’t change a thing, even if I had a chance.”
I didn’t know what to say—he’d caught me off guard because his words hurt. It felt like he’d stabbed me in the gut, and I didn’t know what to say.
He’d taken my side when others hadn’t, he had never tried to curb me, he’d even been helping me with magic.
I thought that meant something.
Obviously, I thought wrong.
So…I ran.
It was either that or burst into tears in front of him, and that wasn’t an option—especially after what he’d just said.
I knew I was right to hate him.
I sprinted across the lawn, running for the mansion.
I passed a perplexed Eventide, and Indigo—who was carrying a breakfast tray for me.
I would have stopped to talk to Indigo, but something pushed me on. I thundered up a set of stairs, dodged a maid, and skidded to a stop in front of Rigel’s room.
“Rigel?” I opened the door—my heart rising.
Maybe he’s finally back?
I stepped inside, and my hopes collapsed.
Nope. The room looks the same as it did when I woke up yesterday morning.
I closed the door behind me and sagged against it as I stupidly looked again.
Nope. Even the giant white feather I’d found on the middle of the bed was still sitting on the chest of weapons that I’d set it on.
I sighed and slumped my way across his room, aiming for the door between our rooms.
I furrowed my eyebrows as I rested my hand on the door knob and felt a familiar, wispy sensation.
Is that fae magic?
I pushed the door open, and the sensation of magic flashed stronger.
That was when the dagger bit into my shoulder.
I shouted with pain as I fell into my bedroom, almost tumbling on top of a
second dagger that had fallen to the ground.
My palms sweated, and I tried to look back in my pain to see who had hurt me, but I was alone. No one was there.
The back of my throat burned, and blood dripped down my arm.
“Leila?” Indigo opened my bedroom door. Still holding my breakfast on a tray, she took a few steps in, but dropped it with the crack of shattering dishes when she saw me. “Chase!” she screamed. “Chase!”
My body trembled, and I tried to nod at Indigo. But in my mind, the truth had already dawned on me.
That was a trap, set with fae magic. A trap that sprang when I opened the door.
“It was rigged with magic so it would trigger when the door was opened,” Chase explained to me about an hour later. “It is fortunate you were going from Consort Rigel’s room to your own, or you would have been struck in a way that could have killed you.”
I was seated at my desk in my study. My shoulder barely ached. My staff had it bandaged with cloth that had been soaked in such a strong healing potion, I could taste its floral scent.
Lord Linus stood with Chase—I had no idea why he decided it was necessary to come. I wanted to see the fae lord about as much as I wanted to see Rigel at that moment.
I looked from Chase to the weapon that was used in the trap.
In the moment I’d thought it was a pair of daggers, but since Chase had set the weapons on my desk, I recognized the thicker blades and their eye-catching metal hand guard.
Rigel had told me himself, they were Chinese butterfly swords—the very same ones from his collection.
“Do you recognize the swords, my Sovereign?” Chase asked.
I ignored the question. “Rigel didn’t set the trap.”
Chase hesitated. “It’s to be hoped that he didn’t. Have you used the door since he was last seen?”
“Yes. Once,” I said. I’d used the door when I’d gotten up that morning to go get ready.
Rigel was already gone—or at least he wasn’t around. But his magic would have let him disappear if he wanted to.
“At this point, it’s more likely whomever is trying to eliminate you set it. You said you felt fae magic?”
“Yeah.” I stared at the swords—which had been cleaned of my blood.
Chase nodded. “Consort Rigel is loyal to you, my Sovereign. When he returns, I’m sure we’ll be able to clear the matter up.”
“It’s fine,” I said robotically. “Thank you, Chase.”
Chase bowed. “My men have almost finished sweeping the mansion for additional traps. I’ll let you know when it’s safe.”
I smiled, but it was difficult—like I couldn’t remember how. “I appreciate it.”
Chase sauntered off with his smooth, werewolf gait, but Lord Linus stayed behind.
He shifted from one foot to the other. “Queen Leila…”
“Leave,” I said.
Lord Linus hesitated, bowed slightly, then followed after Chase.
I rubbed my eyes, but didn’t let my shoulders fall until the door clicked shut behind him.
This doesn’t mean Rigel did it. Just because Lord Linus is a jerk doesn’t mean Rigel is. I have to believe in him.
But when a day passed, and then a week, and then another week, and then a month, and Rigel still hadn’t returned…what little hope I had withered and died.
Rigel had left me.
Some stupid, optimistic part of me insisted he hadn’t been the one to set the trap. Given my life, it probably would have been easier to forgive him for something like that.
Instead he’d disappeared without a word.
I loved him, and he left.
I either had the worst luck, or the worst taste in men.
To be continued in The Queen’s Crown: Court of Midnight and Deception Book 3
For free short stories and more information about the Court of Midnight and Deception Series, visit kmshea.com!
Afterword
Thank you for reading Crown of Moonlight, I hope you enjoyed Leila’s story! If you want to read more of my work, sign up for my newsletter to receive my free K. M. Shea Starter Pack ebook.
It contains:
A Hall of Blood and Mercy short story
A King Arthur and Her Knights prequel short story
A Red Rope of Fate prequel short story
An original fairy tale, Princess Snow and Queen Ruby
A fairy tale retelling, The Princess Who Chased Sheep
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Thank you for your support and encouragement. I am proud to say I have the best readers. Therefore, it is my dearest wish that Leila and her friends made you laugh and warmed your heart. Thank you.
Leila’s adventure continues in…
The Queen’s Crown
Available on Amazon!
Since the day I was crowned Queen of the Night Court, someone’s been trying to kill me. Yay, me!
Finding my would-be-killer has been last on my to do list for a long time—which should tell you what a dumpster fire my life has been. But I can’t ignore it anymore. Whoever is after me is getting serious, and if I don’t do something soon I might not survive their next attempt.
Normally, I’d count on Rigel—my Consort, who also happens to be a deadly fae assassin—to have my back. But he’s been gone for two months and when he finally returns he won’t say where he’s been. Great, that’s totally not sketchy.
To make matters worse, I love Rigel—and he doesn’t believe me when I tell him! How’s that for romance?
New to do list: catch my would-be killer and convince my own husband I love him. All in a day’s work for the Night Queen.
I knew I should have demanded a job description before I took on this gig…
Other books by K. M. Shea
The Snow Queen Series:
A completed Epic Fantasy series of two books and an anthology of short stories
Timeless Fairy Tales:
Beauty and the Beast
The Wild Swans
Cinderella and the Colonel
Rumpelstiltskin
The Little Selkie
Puss in Boots
Swan Lake
Sleeping Beauty
Frog Prince
12 Dancing Princesses
Snow White
Three pack (Beauty and the Beast, The Wild Swans, Cinderella and the Colonel)
The Fairy Tale Enchantress:
Apprentice of Magic
Curse of Magic
Reign of Magic
The Elves of Lessa:
Red Rope of Fate
Royal Magic
The Prince’s Bargain
Hall of Blood and Mercy:
A complete urban fantasy series of 3 books
Court of Midnight and Deception:
An urban fantasy series of 3 books
King Arthur and Her Knights:
A complete historical fantasy series of seven books
Robyn Hood:
A compete historical fiction series of two novellas
The Magical Beings’ Rehabilitation Center:
A complete urban fantasy series of two books and an anthology of short stories
Other Novels
Life Reader
Princess Ahira
A Goose Girl
Second Age of Retha: Written under pen name A. M. Sohma
The Luckless
The Desperate Quest
The Revived
About the Author
K. M. Shea is a fantasy-romance author who never quite grew out of adventure books or fairy tales, and still searches closets in hopes of stumbling into Narnia. She is addicted to sweet romances, witty characters, and happy endings. She also writes LitRPG and GameLit under the pen name, A. M. Sohma.
Hang out with the K. M. Shea Community at…
kmshea.com
K. M. Shea, Crown of Moonlight (Court of Midnight and Deception Book 2)