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I lift my head. “We went over this. You sever his head, and we sever our relationship.”
“I will kill him, then make him mine.”
“You can’t touch him.”
“Oh, my siren,” he purrs. “I can. I really can.”
“But you won’t.”
“Nobody will know it’s me, and it’ll look like an accident.”
Okay, now he’s getting into planning territory, so I stop joking. “I have no date. The commander is there because protocol demands it, nothing more.”
Nottuza nods. His eyes have returned to their usual black color. He smiles, showing me the normal size of his fangs. “The siren is playful, I see.”
“She only plays with you.”
“That’s a good girl.” He presses my head back onto his shoulder. We remain on the bench, unmoving and unspeaking, until I fall asleep.
36
FLEUR
Ilove weddings.
They’re the most glamorous, happy, and exciting events in the world. And a royal wedding? No event brings more excitement than a royal wedding. Actually, for me, there’s only one: a royal wedding that people other than I have organized. Ah, what glorious bliss.
Taliant outdid himself. My staff from the Summer Court even got a commendation from Aamako, who offered them all jobs. Which they refused because they work for me, but still, I’m so happy they delivered an experience the Unseelie Court will remember with fondness.
After all, it’s the first of many events that will repair the people’s trust in their violent rulers, so it was important to get it right.
As I make the rounds this evening, checking the flower arrangements, the selections of meals and drinks and the elaborate, rich yet dim lighting setups, I slide a yellow card into the pockets of the service staff. The card can be cashed in at the royal treasury.
At the royal table, Augusta and Aamako sit with my brother and June, while El’jah is on the other side working the crowds. It feels like we’re in the Summer Court with all the glitz and glam. However, it is on the darker side. Black pearl chandeliers contrast against stern white walls, interrupted by only a few carefully selected paintings. Red-inked calligraphy spans most of the room, courtesy of Aamako’s sister.
Shouting comes from one of the tables, and El’jah and I lock eyes from across the room. Subtly, he jerks his chin toward the table. I shake my head, telling him I’m not going over there. He gives me those pleading eyes he knows I can’t refuse. Our relationship, even when strained, requires little talking.
“Fine,” I mutter under my breath and head on toward the noise.
Oh great, it’s the Spring Court’s royal family. The king and queen are supposed to be sitting with the other royals over with Aamako. I tuck my hand under Taliant’s arm on my way there.
He gives me an annoyed look. “Those royals are driving me nuts.”
“Did they ask to be moved?”
“Not quite. The queen sat with the prince and his entourage.”
The seating arrangement is awkward with the queen sitting next to a young lady I don’t recognize.
“Who did they unseat from that table?” I ask.
“You and El’jah.”
“Was El’jah sitting with the young lady?”
Taliant chuckles. “How did you guess?” A kitchen staff member rushes up to Taliant with an emergency, and he bids me farewell. “Do your thing, Fleur. Bye!”
I move toward the table as quickly as possible without looking like I’m rushing to get over there as the argument escalates. The queen unseated El’jah, which means there’re young people there whom she fears my brother will charm into his bed. If my brother wanted a male or a female, he could charm them from across the room. But she doesn’t need to know that.
