Page 175 of The Stolen Crown

I grinned and slipped back onto the bed, pressing a kiss to the pulse point in his neck. “Good morning.”

“Aye.” He chuckled and cradled my head against the skull tattoo on his chest. “A very good morning.”

“Well, with everyone returning for Bloodsinger’s mysterious council before the ball, I did not know if we’d get much time alone.” I pressed a kiss to the place over his heart.

Tait rolled me beneath his body. “I ought to return the favor.”

I hummed and kissed his lips.

A heavy knock pounded on the damn door.

He paused, frowning, then dipped his chin again. “They can wait.”

Another knock came, followed by a nasally voice. “Begging pardon, My Lady, My Lord. The royal houses have arrived, and the king requests your presence.”

“Give us a moment, Alistair!” Tait shouted. “And I’m not a lord.”

I covered my mouth with one palm, muffling a laugh when an overdone sniff came from the corridor. It was not hard to imagine the pompous steward lifting his nose at Tait’s retort.

“I fear I must insist,” Alistair said, voice lifted. “They have, in truth, been here for the better part of a chime. I have already allowed you both to be…quite late. The king’s temper is flaring.”

My laugh burst free.

Erik Bloodsinger was, perhaps, even more wretched with his moods than his cousin. With every noble house from the Ever and earth fae realms invading his palace, no mistake, the Ever King would be pacing the halls, plotting who he could poison with his blood from sheer annoyance.

“A chime?” Tait rolled off my body and pulled back the shade over one window. “Dammit.”

“Should I have bid you a good afternoon instead of morning?” I propped onto one elbow.

“Almost. The harbor is full.” Tait knelt on the edge of the bed, cupped one of my bare breasts, and pressed a kiss to the swell. “What are the chances we can finish what we began after Erik’s council? We both know my cousin is not a man who delights in long speeches.”

I tugged his mouth to my own, pressing a sweet kiss to his lips. “I can always craft an illusion that we’re there. Although, should anyone speak to the glamour, our likenesses might repeat the same three lines until they fade.”

Tait laughed. “It’d be worth it, Vicious.”

With a touch of reluctance, we rose, dressed, and strode into the great hall together.

In the center of the room was a long table lined with high-back chairs. Each seat was filled with nobles of the Ever Seas and the royals of the earth realms. Sewell sat between Celine and Gavyn, and Lady Narza was joined by Tavish, his mate, and Lady Avaline on the other side.

More than one face from the inner courts of my kingdom had joined and stood near the back walls. I wiggled my fingers toward Lord Gorm, who simply dipped his chin in respect.

Alver folk stood behind the twins’ mother and father. The way some of them were looking about, it would not be long before guards of the palace were locking treasury doors and hiding the fine satins and silks tucked away in the rooms.

Livia and Aleksi spoke animatedly with her parents and Alek’s two fathers. My parents laughed at some tale told by the Night Folk first knight.

“Finally.” Erik stood at the head of the table, his dark crimson eyes bouncing between the two of us. “I sent Alistair to fetch you over a chime ago.”

I clicked my tongue as Tait guided me into a chair to the right of my mother. “Bloodsinger, we thought it was prudent that you have more time alone with our royals. Peace is so new, after all. It will only serve you well.”

Tait took the seat at my other side, his palm immediately falling to my thigh.

Only one king and queen were missing at the table: Calista and Silas. I was promptly told they already felt the new path of fate Bloodsinger planned to announce and wholly agreed with the decision.

Curious. Not that my cousin and her king were absent—they did not care to travel much—but I had no idea what the Ever King had planned.

“Now that we are all here.” Erik shot another glare at Tait. “I’ll make this brief. There is a change to implement in the laws of the Ever. One that I felt required the acceptance and understanding from every kingdom and noble house. It has not been done before.”

“Still with that brazen initiative, Bloodsinger.” Jonas clapped the top of the table. “First with a queen, now with whatever’s happening here.”