grin. Well, look at you, ice-boy. Playing the part, after all. I forgot you know how to do this, too, if pushed hard enough.
âOh, Sir Torin.â Titania blushed, somehow managing to look embarrassed and self-conscious even as she preened. âYou are such a flatterer. And we are so glad that you have returned. You must have stories to tell, my dear Sirs. The court is most anxious to hear your newest adventures.â She clasped her hands together. âI simply insist you join us in the Grand Dining Hall tonight. Let us toast your noble quests, recognize your great deeds and you can hear my newest acquisition play for you.â She stroked the girlâs hair again, but Ash didnât even glance at the human.
âThat would please us greatly, your majesty.â
âIt is decided, then.â Titania nodded regally, dismissing us. âWe will meet again tonight. I am most anxious to hear what you have been up to in the time youâve been gone.â
We bowed, and Ash reached down a second time and brought the back of the queenâs hand to his lips. âUntil tonight, my lady,â he murmured, and we left the queenâs court, feeling her eyes on us until we ducked back into the tunnel.
I held in my laughter until we were well away from the throne room, before turning on Ash with a gleeful cackle. âWhat was that , ice-boy? Since when did you get to be such a charmer? I didnât think you had it in you.â
His face flamed. âI did what I had to do,â he said, crossing his arms and looking away. âWe got close to the queen and saw what Leanansidhe sent us for. Now the question is, how do we get her away from Titania? How do we get her out of the Summer Court?â
âWorry not, ice-boy. I already have a plan.â I flashed him my best impish smile, rubbing my hands together. âOne brilliant Goodfellow prank, coming right up.â
Â
The Grand Dining Hall wasnât really a hall, more of a marble courtyard underneath the stars, surrounded on all sides by a giant hedge maze. In the very center, surrounded by hedgy unicorns and lions, the Summer Queen held her most extravagant parties at a long white and gold table, very reminiscent of a certain Mad Hatterâs tea party. To be invited to one of these affairs, you had to be a personal favorite of the queen, or the next one on her figurative chopping block. Needless to say, Oberon never attended.
The labyrinth was easy for âSir Torinâ and I to navigate, despite a couple statues that tried pointing us in the wrong direction, and all too soon we reached the table in the center of the maze. It was surrounded by Seelie gentry in their fanciest clothes, gowns of feathers and rose petals, cloaks of babyâs breath and spiderwebs. And at the head of the table, her golden hair braided with flowers and sparkling moonstones, the Summer Queen smiled and waved us over.
Vi, the mortal child, sat in a chair on the queenâs right, solemnly plowing her way through an impressive fountain of pink and blue cake. Her violin sat on a pillow, held by a waiting satyr behind the girlâs chair. She didnât look up as we approached, but the queen gave us a welcoming smile.
âNow,â Titania purred after introductions were made and the rest of the gentry were settled, âlet us hear of your latest adventures, knights. Sir Torin, would you like to regale the court with your mighty quests and deeds?â
Beside me, Torin lowered his head. âAh, my lady, nothing would make me happier.â He nodded to me with a small frown. âHowever, I believe Sir Fagan has won the right to sing of our adventures this evening. We made a bet on who would have the honor, and I lost. If it pleases you, I will leave the storytelling to him.â
Titania pouted a bit then brightened. âVery well, then, Sir Torin. I insist you keep me company for the evening. It is the least you can do.â She
Maya Banks, Sylvia Day, Karin Tabke