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“Oh.” She stopped in her tracks, touching his arm. “Mine too. I’m sorry. It never hurts less.”
He nodded. “But they are still king and queen until we are of age, which we will be in a few years in Fae terms. Technically, we don’t need to step in yet because the court runs itself when it comes to daily activities. It’s during wars, breaches, and huge political decisions that we have to exercise our command.”
“So, there are trusted advisors?”
“Bronco runs the castle in general and his sister, Jyss, plans the events. There’s another Fae who runs interior domestic stuff and more who run individual things like the outside activities, the island security, the castle security, and trading—not that we do trading often. The Winter Court is known for being able to sustain itself.”
“And being formidable pricks,” she said lightly. “Your court is one that no one wants to get entangled with.”
He smirked. “Then we are doing a good job of maintaining our security. Anyway, any shift in the routine would need to be consulted with me and my sister until someone’s officially sworn in. In the meantime, we do run one thing ourselves: the court’s army, though we have a separate Fae training them.”
“That’s…”
“Complicated,” he confirmed. “It’s why Erin and I try to keep other things simple.”
“Right. We don’t have a monarchy in Broom’s Isle, but we have a council that makes the hardest decisions. Sometimes they make the wrong ones, but for the most part, they try their best.” Her brother came to mind again before she brushed it off. “I hope your group of heads isn’t making the wrong decisions.”
“Hmm. Em?”
“What?”
“Don’t get me wrong, I love your compassion and get so turned on by it…” The words were low, sending her body in a wake of vibrations. “But I need that cool mask now. It’s for your safety.”
The vibrations crashed. She regarded him and was unable to stop the lurking suspicion from being spoken out.
“Your sister. She’s in on it.”
Pain flashed in his eyes, confirming what she thought. But he shook his head.
“No. My sister’s mischievous and loves adventures, too, but she’s not in on this one. I decided to have the adventure myself.”
“What?”
“You have very unique ears, Em. And the prettiest eyes. I’m so glad I kept you.”
Translation: there were eyes and ears everywhere and he was still maintaining his excuse for being gone. The chill from earlier returned. Knowing when to back off, she shut her mouth and didn’t ask the hundreds of questions that swam in her mind. Yet.
“Your Majesty, may I have a word with you?”
It was Bronco, standing a respectable distance and waiting for Rick’s response. Rick nodded graciously, but Bronco waited some more until Emerald understood and wandered off. She watched the Fae regard her in distrust, then looked away when the two men began to talk in low voices. Not understanding some of the questions she caught, she followed the flutter of wings as they flew away.
“Don’t stray too far,” she warned Yu.
“Rick safe. No one dare in public.”
The pixie was right, easing some of her worries. But she gave him a speculative look.
“How do you know about it, anyway?”
“Listen. All the time.”
Her mouth formed an O and her cheeks heated when she remembered how…expressive she and Rick had gotten in that tower. But Yu didn’t catch on to her mortification as he continued flying away, more interested in exploring the place. She followed him more willingly, taking note of the icy walls and careful to stand in spaces where there were no spiky formations.
“Fae there.”
That Yu was cautious again spoke a lot. She paused at a corner and took a peek. Sure enough, a couple of Fae folks were gathered in a smaller hall, their laughter tinkling now and then and filling her with a magical sensation. Something blurred in between them, passed around so quickly as they kicked and punched effortlessly.
“Ball?” Yu queried.
