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Which presents a challenge.
Many of the families aren’t here for a lovely time.
Many are here to bicker about the past or even dole out vengeance, making cruelty appear the most desirable mating trait.
Good thing Evie came. With her pleasant smile and harmonious magic, she spells some of the females and most of the males without them noticing.
I sit up in bed and sigh at the single soldier on my nightstand. It’s the one from seven nights ago that Nottuza left after eating me out and putting me in bed.
When he requested I reserve my orgasms for him, he asked for exclusive control of my pleasure. I agreed, thinking he would tease me. Relentlessly. But seven spans later, and with fae males staying in the court, releasing their mating scents around the group of females Evie and I befriended, it’s all I can do to stop from combusting with sexual frustration.
And no general in sight to release me from the deal or relieve me with his clever fingers.
As I rise out of bed, my nipples brush the silk of my deep blue nightgown, and even that soft friction sets my channel fluttering.
I can’t remember the last time a male turned me on without being in the room with me. It makes me both frustrated with Nottuza and curious about him.
I slide my feet into fluffy slippers and shrug on a robe before exiting my chambers and entering the common area by the pool, where we’ve set up our gathering center. Every court should have one, and seeing as how this is the largest and prettiest area of the tower, it’s a perfect place for people to meet.
Granted, other floors have a common lounge with a pool and even mineral spas, but this is the largest one and with the best positioning. The Unseelie call it the Sun Lounge, a reference to the pair of us from the Summer Court who started improvements on the space.
I come here every late afternoon, right after I wake up.
The moment I open the door, the smell of freshwater lilies floating over the pool hits my nose. I inhale deeply and think of the warmth of my court. I miss it. I do, but the nostalgia evaporates when I take in the noise of staff and the fairies already preparing for the big night.
Dahlia, a middle-aged shoemaker with one of the most desirable magics in the design world, is making rounds, showing the ladies what their outfit will look like in the many mirrors Augusta sent with Dahlia when the designer arrived at court.
The mirrors make the room appear larger, which is a great thing because the court is filling up quickly. Their snotty manners aside, some of the new arrivals carry powerful magic, which is what the fae courts need.
That and more staff.
This season, the court is providing fabrics and jewelry, and trunks filled with mating supplies, the same way we provide for anyone staying in the Summer Court. Thus, the Unseelie who want to look their best must come to court. In addition, some of the poorer families can come to court and not spend coin they don’t have on trying to look as good as their rich peers.
Evie waves from across the room, where Augusta’s hairdresser is braiding her hair.
“Over here,” she says as loudly as it’s appropriate to without shouting. The noise level is clamorous, and a high duchess of the Summer Court doesn’t shout.
I walk past the pool and take the only other chair at the small round table where she sits.
“Good afternoon, Princess,” Augusta’s personal stylist bows.
“Good afternoon, I see you two started working early.” I pick up the first cup of tea in a row of seven different teas. I’m testing them for the season as well as monitoring the preferences of the Winter fairies, who are drinking from the assorted box. They seem to prefer their traditional green and pale pink teas, as well as the Summer Court’s teas with lighter notes of menthol.
I swirl this afternoon’s new addition in my mouth, noting the bitter taste before the sweet finish. “Mmhm.” This is different. “What is this?”
“My herbal remedy for surviving this court,” Augusta’s hairdresser says.
“It’s quite good, actually.”
Evie leans in. “It has alcohol.”
“In that case…” I set it aside. “We can serve it later in the evening.”
Evie slides the cup back to me. “You’ll want a sip or a few before you start the span.”
“Is it bad news about the trunks I ordered?”
Evie drinks her tea.
