Page 65 of Bounty Hunter

“Better than the dress of death?” She holds her arms out and turns from side to side.

My mouth is dry as sand, but I force an easy grin. “You named the dress?”

“It seemed appropriate at the time.” She shrugs.

“You look like a true adventuress.” And more, a tempting siren, but I keep that to myself. She smiles brightly, seeming happy with my compliment. I notice Mama Tina watching the exchange between us with a wide, satisfied smile.

I direct my gaze forward as we make our way back to Mama Tina’s for our final night with the fae. Vera is happy to chat with Renna and Mama Tina while my thoughts turn. I can’t help but consider Drade’s question.ShouldI be searching for a Tulip when my own kings may very well aim for my throne in my absence? This is messy work, finding a Tulip. If I don’t marry a Tulip, Vera and I could be together, too. It’s a tempting thought since it seems like a win in two ways. Too tempting. But with those two wins brings the greater loss. Lucent magic will continue to weaken, and my people will continue to die. I would be returning with no solution for the gloam that is literally destroying my kingdom.

My will hardens as I rebuild my confidence in my decision. No matter how deranged the low kings may think I am, the weight of duty is mine to bear, and that means restoring magic for my people. Hopefully before a war is started that will kill even more people and my throne is stolen from beneath me. Not only that, what is the explanation for the fae potion that healed me from the bantha claw? I trust Vera, but I acknowledge that she still holds much back from me—as I do from her. I can only hope our secrets don’t end up destroying our mission.

Chapter 45

Nadiette

King’s Council

The four low kings sit around the table, all with various expressions, most displaying frowns bordering on confusion on why they were called to a King’s Council, and their High King isn’t at the head of the table. Strange how an empty chair can have as much presence as a filled one.

I stand. “I am here on behalf of the High King?—”

Drade speaks up, not attempting to hide his irritation. “This is unheard of, an abuse of the council.” His voice is like ice.

He’s joined by other mumbles of assent. I hurriedly continue, aware that I’m close to losing control of the room.

“The High King has gone in search of a Queen of the Night, and he must be stopped from this foolishness.” I state firmly. “I have attempted to delay him in his efforts, but I’m not sure it will be enough.”

“What I find odd is that you still expect him to marry you after what you’ve done.” Drade lifts a brow derisively. Humor laces his dark expression at my expense and I hear a muffled chuckle from someone else in the room.

My eyes flash with anger. “How doyouknow what I’ve done? Have you seen hi?—”

Waylon intervenes, waving a hand through the air. “Enough. This is not a time for silly quarrels.”

Drade’s lips twist in a smirk while I merely nod and force myself to primly sit back in my chair to listen.

“I have employed the help of an experienced mercenary.” Waylon pauses to shuffle a few papers and brings one to the front, then lifts it a bit closer to his face and reads, “Ah, yes, Renton is his name.” He looks up and lays the papers flat on the ancient table. “He approached me, asking about the Black Tulips—I must say his timing was impeccable. He has agreed to track our wayward king and deliver him to the High Kingdom safely, and in exchange, he has asked that we don’t interfere with the Black Tulips. I agreed on the council’s behalf.” He looks my way. “And that includes you, as well. No more interference, m’dear.”

I nod slowly, fisting my skirt in my hand beneath the table.

Rhomi leans back in his chair. “This Renton, is he trustworthy?”

Everyone looks toward Waylon.

With a confident voice and relaxing into the arm of his chair, Waylon says, “He has the same goal—to prevent any Black Tulip from bridging with our king. He has agreed to find King Ikar and return him to the kingdom, while also taking care of any possible Black Tulipproblemsthat may arise. Tell, do any of you have any other, better, ideas?”

The room is deathly silent. Drade appears annoyed, a slight sneer twisting his lips. Rhomi shifts uncomfortably in his seat. Waylon and Adrian looked between each other with an indecipherable look.

Drade speaks again, this time a sarcastic note in his voice. “Have we considered simplytrustingthe man who was raised to be High King and getting back to the business of ruling our own low kingdoms?”

My voice hardens toward Drade, irritated. “Sometimes the weight of responsibility, when carried alone, causes people to act in a way that isn’t normal for them. This isn’t who Ikaris.”

“You just want to be queen,” Drade says with acid in his voice.

I hate that I sputter a bit, my cheeks red. “I want the best for our kingdom. And the best for our kingdom is Ikar and I. Not a dangerous Queen of the Night.”

Waylon speaks up with a calming voice, attempting to lower the growing tension. “The king is in danger. His heart is good, but he takes a great risk in bringing the Tulips back into power, blatantly ignoring the advice of the council. We must remember the danger they present.”

The table is once again silent.

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