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Jester’s privilege rendered me immune to punishment… at least, in this court I could do and say as I pleased. Others courts were far less forgiving. But among the weakest court, the Court of Love, I was untouchable.
Out of the corner of my eye, I caught sight of the queen stumbling her way through the guests toward me. She tripped on her skirts and fought with their many layers, muttering under her breath. Her golden hair had fallen free of its pinned swirls and spilled unchecked about her flushed face. Around her, a few of the guests arched eyebrows and curled their lips. I loved a spectacle as much as the rest of them, but if the queen unraveled here on the dance floor, Albus would place the blame at my feet and I didn’t have time for his bluster.
I swooped in and tucked her against my side. “Your Majesty, some fresh air, no?”
“Lark, so thoughtful! Where would I be without my favorite fool?” She leaned against my side and patted my chest, lips pouting.
“Facedown on the floor, my queen.”
“Ha, yes.” She giggled and hiccupped. Her behavior was partially my doing, considering I’d been topping up her cup all night. But I had my reasons, which would soon become apparent.
We passed through double doors onto a terraced hallway, open along one side toward the ocean. The cool, salt-laced breeze touched my face and lips. A glance over my shoulder revealed several guests watching our departure moments before the doors slammed closed. The disgraced queen, saved by her pet jester. Whispers would swirl, reinforcing untruths. I’d need to return quickly, so those whispers died on painted lips before they grew too loud to ignore. If Katina had a husband who cared, I wouldn’t have needed to be her crutch, saving us both from this merry dance. Where was the king? Probably too engrossed in eyeing whatever new serving girl had caught his eye.
“Take me to bed, Lark.” Katina giggled and grabbed my cheek in an attempt to turn my face toward her, and from there it would descend into far too much touching. She’d begun her seduction early tonight. We had witnesses. A couple sauntered by, laughing and pretending not to notice us.
I brushed off Katina’s wandering touch, sweeping her eager hands back into mine to keep control. “Now then, you know the king will have my cock if he sees you so enamored.”
“Well then,” she scoffed, then plucked her hand free and poked at her ragged hair, trying to fix herself up. “He’d have more of you than I’ve ever had.”
We passed by the prince’s gilded doors, always locked, and then the king’s. No light flickered from beneath his door. Back in the feasting hall, he was probably aware both I and his wife were missing from the celebration.
The queen’s chamber lay ahead. Once inside, her waiting aides would see to it she was cared for. I opened the doors, expecting the fires to be ablaze and the room warm and lit by candles. But the aides weren’t here, and the fires were too low. They hadn’t been tended in hours. Worse, Katina and I were alone.
Katina frowned at the gloom and sighed.
I abandoned her side and lit the standing candelabra, keeping the woman in the corner of my eye at all times. “I’m sure your aides will be along.”
“More like they’ve found themselves some fun.”
With the candles all lit, I moved on to stoking the fires and tossed on a few more logs. “The room will be bright and warm again soon.”
Katina still hadn’t moved from the door. “Court of Love?” she snarled, marching toward the four-poster bed. “More like the Court of Wrongs.” She tore off her shoes and flung them across the room with impressive force. “My husband ignores me, I haven’t seen my son in months. I don’t know—” Her voice trembled. “I try…” She sniffed.
“Oh yes, you’re very trying. Now, forgive me, I must return to the gathering—”
“Lark.” Her tone caught me at the door, fingers already wrapped around the handles, freedom so close.
“Stay.”
I bowed my head. “My Queen of Hearts, you know I cannot.”
“You fuck everyone else.”
I turned and all I could see was a woman wrapped in the trappings of royalty. Her colorful dress hung askew from her slim shoulders, while her expression somehow portrayed fury and desperation in equal measure. She could be fierce, but her fire had faded years ago.
“They think we fuck, so what does it matter?” She dropped onto the end of the four-poster bed and stroked the drapes as though they were the lover she so pined for.
“It matters.”
“I suppose you’re right.” When she swept her bangs from her forehead, her fingers trembled. She noticed, and curled them into a small fist. I almost went to her, but I’d made it as far as the door, and any step toward her would be a mistake. She wanted—needed—company.
She grinned suddenly and tucked her hand against her heart. “Fine then, go be with your many lovers. What’s another night alone in this prison?”
“That’s the spirit. Good evening, my queen.” I opened the door behind my back and retreated through it. “Sleep well.”
She snorted and flopped back.
Good, she’d be asleep in moments and her aides could wrangle her moods while I did what I was good at and slithered among the crowd, gathering courtly gossip while spinning some of my own tales.
