Page 14 of Queens Will Play

At that moment, Vanzir appeared, looking far more pulled together than he had yesterday. He took his place at the table.

“So, I have an appointment to see Lahi today. And Aeval wants to talk to me. It’s going to seem strange going back there, knowing that everything’s changed,” he said.

This was the first voluntary relationship Vanzir had ever experienced, and to have it cut off so abruptly must have thrown him for a loop. But at least Aeval was blunt and to the point. She hadn’t strung him along with half-promises.

“I know,” I said. “But you know where you stand, and if she’s willing to let you spend time with Lahi, I suppose it’s the best you can expect. When you get involved with someone like Aeval or Titania, things are never settled.”

“And you?” Vanzir asked. “Now that you belong to the Triple Threat, how will that play out for you?”

“I’m only half-Fae. So was Morgaine. We already shifted the balance of this court. If they try to force the issue, they’ll have one absent queen.” I shook my head. But Aeval would never give up her throne—not for love, and not for any matter of principle. She was who she was, and that was the Queen of Darkness and Night. “When do you go see her?”

“Tonight, at six-thirty,” he said, helping himself to waffles and eggs. “Finally, food that’s fit to eat. They eat some weird crap over there, but I never once complained. I ate out a lot,” he added, and for the first time since he’d shown up on the doorstep, he grinned. “How’s Menolly? Trillian told me that she’s staying here for a couple days.”

“Yeah,” I said. “Nerissa’s off on a business trip, and Roman…well…I have no idea what he’s doing right now. So Menolly came to stay here for a few days. She’s doing well,” I said, not adding that Menolly had told me that her mother-in-law had been trying to involve herself in Menolly’s activities lately. Menolly wasn’t sure what that was about, and she was too anxious around Blood Wyne to ask. Having the Queen of the Crimson Veil as a mother-in-law came with baggage.

“You seem nervous,” Vanzir said. He’d always been blunt. “What’s up?”

“I don’t know if I mentioned it, but I’ve been having bad dreams lately about something big coming,” I said. “So have Menolly and Delilah. Maggie’s been having bad dreams, and yesterday, Aeval told me that both she and Titania were sensing something. The other night, the Moon Mother showed me a picture of a man. The very sight of him scared the hell out of me. So, we visited Carter to ask for his advice. We’re waiting on an answer.”

I played with my waffle, cutting it into tiny squares. If only Carter would call. I felt like I was waiting for the verdict in a trial. At that moment, my phone sounded. I grabbed it, but it was a text from Aeval.

i told you not to give vanzir shelter and yet i hear that he’s staying with you. camille, as the humans say, fuck around and find out.

I stared at the screen. “Cripes, won’t she give it a rest?”

“What’s wrong?” Smoky asked.

I glanced at him, giving him a tiny shake of the head. “Nothing to worry about. Just…something annoying.” I didn’t want to talk about it in front of Vanzir. He’d feel obligated to leave, and I’d be damned if I let Aeval push me around.

At that moment, another text came in. This time it was from Carter.

camille, can you come over? i have an answer for you, but this isn’t a discussion for over the phone—or for text. we need to talk as soon as possible. prepare yourself. this isn’t good news.

I caught my breath. “Fuck…listen.” I read the text to the others. “We’d better get over there. Who’s coming with me?”

All four of the men decided to come. I put in a call to Delilah. “Can you meet me at Carter’s in an hour? It’s important.”

“Hold on,” she said. “Let me talk to Shade.” After a moment she came back. “Yeah, I’ll meet you there. What’s going on?”

As we headed out, I told her about the vision the Moon Mother had given me, and Menolly’s and my trip to see Carter. “See you when you get there,” I finished.

Morio drove. All the way to Carter’s, I stared out the window at the busy streets, wondering how bad things actually were.

Carter was waiting in the living room. His maid showed us in. I saw no sign of his sub—she was either out or tied up with something. Most likely Shibari rope. Carter, on the other hand, was dressed in a burgundy smoking jacket, a pair of black trousers, and a ruffled shirt with gold cufflinks. His hair hung long on his shoulders, his horns shimmering—freshly polished with oil.

“Sit down,” he said, motioning to the sofa and chairs. “Eírín, bring coffee and refreshments, please.”

The maid curtsied. “Of course, Sir.” She headed for the kitchen.

It must have been obvious that I was glancing her way because Carter said, “No, Camille, she’s not the next in my parade of partners. She’s actually a very good maid and so I keep my hands off. It’s hard to find good help and I’m not messing it up when I do.”

I coughed, trying not to laugh. “Was I that obvious?”

“Oh, my dear, I can read you like a book,” Carter said, giving me a long look. Without glancing toward Smoky, he added, “Not a word, Dragon. I wouldn’t think of intruding on your Quad. So, think before you speak.”

Given Carter’s nature, I had no doubt that if any of my husbands tangled with him, they’d be the worse for wear. Even after all these years, we had no real idea about what Carter’s powers were—other than his brilliance and ability to quietly dominate—and I didn’t want to find out the hard way.

Smoky arched his eyebrows but said nothing.