In the third chamber, the honey-voiced singer’s voice combined with drum and cello. Dancers filled the main body of the room, but this wasn’t the kind of dance we’d done in Albion.
They heaved with the music’s heady rhythm as though they were part of it. Bodies entwined, they rocked and wound around each other, laughing, kissing, some biting their own lips in that delicious moment of resistance that came before giving in to temptation.
The dancers parted for us, though they watched. Despite her small stature, Kat’s hair was a beacon, and I stiffened, ready in case anyone thought her appearance was an invitation to touch.
Rose squeezed my arm. “She’ll be fine.”
I scowled at the people we passed. “I hope you’re right.”
We reached the edge of the dancers and found the queen upon a gilded chair, watching as she stroked the hair of the lover sitting at her feet. We’d discussed the Dusk folk who’d been executed and put in place countermeasures to ensure there wouldn’t be a repeat of that. It was almost enough to ease my guilt.
Dark eyes on Kat, Braea smiled slowly. “Ah, and here is our guest of honour.”
Rose gave my arm another comforting squeeze before retreating. Faolán nodded to the queen and joined Rose. Just past them, the lush green curls of the Queen Meredine’s hair caught my eye as she watched Kat approach Braea. It made my spine stiffen, but I couldn’t tell if that was because of some ill intent in the Day Queen’s expression or just my protectiveness.
Still, she wasn’t the queen who’d summoned Kat here. I bowed my head formally to Braea. “Your Majesty. I present Lady Katherine Ferrers.”
Kat swept into a graceful bow.
“None of that.” Queen Braea clicked her tongue and waved Kat closer. “Come here, child.”
I didn’t detect any reaction in Kat to being called “child” but she had to wonder—after all, the Night Queen didn’t look much older than her. But Braea had lived many human lifetimes. At thirty-five, even I was a child to her.
Kat approached and I lingered nearby, close enough to hear any quiet conversation and swoop in for rescue or damage control, if needed.
“Let me see you properly.” Braea reached out as if to turn Kat’s head. Her fingers closed just short as she must’ve remembered my warning. She took her in for a long second before nodding. “Such a sweet-looking girl.”
“Your Majesty is too kind,” Kat murmured with lowered lashes.
Braea chuckled. “You may look sweet, sound sweet, yet you helped my Shadow uncover a plot.”
“Luck put me in the right place at the opportune moment, Your Majesty. But I’m grateful I was able to help.”
I frowned as their soft, polite conversation drew to a close.
“What’s wrong, dear Bastian?” Braea raised an eyebrow at me. “Surely you can’t complain about our guest of honour?” Again, that reach for Kat before pulling back. “She is delightful.”
“Not that.” I shook my head and couldn’t help my gaze skipping to Kat. “Never that. But I think she may be thirsty.”
“No drinks? We can’t have that. Go—get yourselves away. Drink and enjoy all my court has to offer.” She spread her arms to encompass the room and dismissed us.
What an idiot, I told myself as we turned away. I should never have underestimated Kat. Of course she knew how to juggle a queen, whether human or fae. Anyone else listening wouldn’t be able to guess Kat’s skills. What she knew. What she wanted. Her heart.
Even in a strange court, she understood how to keep herself safe.
33
Kat
Not yet familiar with fae drinks, I let Bastian choose me something pale amber and sparkling from the a tray. When I tasted it, the bubbles danced across my tongue. Sweet and sour, like lemons and limes but… different. Brighter—more like sunshine. I made a soft sound of pleasure and let my shoulders ease.
“I think that went well.” I raised my eyebrows at him, hopeful.
He eyed me over his drink as he took a sip. “You were perfect.”
His words suffused me, and, face heating, I had to take another gulp of whatever it was in my glass. Slowly. I had plans for tonight. Not to mention the need to keep hold of my magic.
A moment later, his expression stiffened and he looked away before leading me to a small group including Ella, Rose, and Faolán and introduced his assistant, Brynan, and his partner, Gael. Then Bastian excused himself.
I stood there amidst their small talk, tiny thorns pricking my heart. Things between us weren’t right, not entirely, but after our travels, I thought they were better. That moment when he’d given me this ring and removed the necklace… it had felt like something.
Ella ducked closer, eyeing guests passing. “How’s your ‘project’ going?”
I’d told her about my investigation into unCavendish. She’d given me a fierce grin of approval and offered to help in any way. But she’d endured enough fae intrigue—if I could keep her out of this, I would.
“Mixed results so far.” I scanned the crowd, which was as full of Dawn folk as Dusk—their outfits blending to create a full rainbow from rich jewel tones to pale whispers of colour. “I’m looking for Caelus. Think he knows something.”
“He’s here—I saw him earlier.” She nodded back towards the entrance. “Over that way.”
Perfect. My first instinct was to give her a squeeze, but… poison. It had been enough of a challenge to trust my gloves and layers of clothing to take Faolán’s arm on the way here.
Instead, I blew her a harmless kiss. “You are a diamond.”
She primped her hair and grinned. “I know. I’ll help you get away, too.” She winked before draining her drink and turning to the rest of the group.
Effortlessly, she inserted herself into Rose and Brynan’s conversation about the coming eclipse and listened as though rapt.
A moment later, she asked, “And that’s the only time the queen and king can be awake at the same time? Fascinating.” She went to take a sip but widened her eyes at the empty glass. “Damn.”
I bit back a laugh, suddenly filled with fierce joy at having my friend back. “I can get you a fresh drink—save you missing out on any of this fascinating discussion.”
She touched her chest. “Oh, would you? So thoughtful.”
“Aren’t I?” I gave her a wink, mouthed a thank you when no one was looking, then slipped into the crowd.
The folk from Dusk glanced at me and nodded, most of them smiling—I was old news to them. But those from Dawn watched more closely, albeit from behind fans and glasses. They were courtiers, and just like back in Albion, they knew a little about subtlety.
Any one of them could be behind unCavendish. Admittedly, it was possible he’d been sent by someone from Dusk—someone who hated Bastian, but Dawn seemed most likely. Poisoning him at the wedding—that felt less personal, more political.
The question was, who had tried to ruin the alliance?
I searched for Caelus in the crowd, careful to keep my gloves up to my elbows so no bare skin peeked out.
Although I searched for one fae, it was Bastian’s name I picked out on someone’s lips. It was too noisy for me to catch much more than the word “oathbreaker” and I didn’t spot the speaker.