Page 32 of A Sky of Emerald Stars

I immediately intervened, stepping up to Mina’s side with such ferocity that the guard took a step backward. Good. He should think twice before messing with a member of the Golden Court.

“All of my courtiers will stay on this floor with me,” I insisted, staring daggers at the guard who at least had the good sense to look a little embarrassed.

The guard beside him cleared his throat and took a step forward. He had sky blue eyes, white-blond hair, and skin paler than milk that covered his sharp features. “There are no other available rooms on this floor,” he said.

I cocked my head at him. He didn’t seem to back down the same way the other guard did. He was clearly high-ranking within the pack. I assessed his uniform. He wore more badges and insignia than the other guards, his cape made of finer material, his boots bearing not a single scuff mark.

“What’s your name?”

“Klaus,” Grae answered for him, clearly already knowing the prick based on the venom in his voice.

Klaus flourished another bow. “I’m the Queen’s second cousin.”

“Of course you are,” I muttered under my breath. I pointed at the last door across from Hector’s room. “Who is staying in that room?”

Klaus cleared his throat. “No one currently, but—”

Mina tapped on my arm. “It’s fine,” she signed.

“It is absolutely not fine,” I signed back.

Klaus just glanced between us, confused. Clearly he didn’t know the language of signs.

“Mina will stay there,” I said to him. “Bring her things.”I turned to the more sheepish of the two guards and asked, “Where is Queen Ingrid? We have urgent matters we’d like to discuss with her.”

Klaus leaned in front of the other guard and answered for him. “The Queen wanted you to get settled in first.” His smile was predatory, his canines glinting. “And I presume you’ll want to get changed?”

I stared down at my outfit. I wore black leather trousers, shined black boots, and a golden tunic that hit me just above the knee. My fur-lined jacket was intricately embroidered and detailed in golden lace. My hair was braided up and a golden crown sat atop my head, my neck dripping in golden jewelry and my fingers covered in gemstones.

I arched a brow at Klaus. “What is that supposed to mean?”

His smile widened. “I can send up some dresses if you desire. Perhaps something more regal—”

Grae let out a feral growl and stormed up to Klaus until they were chest to chest. Despite them being the same height, Grae was twice as broad with muscle and clearly the dominant fighter from his skilled stance. Klaus had the audacity to wink at Grae anyway, daring him to make a move. In a flash Grae grabbed Klaus by the back of the neck and twisted him to face me.

“Say the Golden Court Queen isn’t regal,” he snarled, his voice promising the violence I knew he could deliver so well. He shook Klaus by the neck and Klaus winced. “Go on.”

“Grae,” I snapped, giving him my best cutting look. Despite his anger, Grae instantly released Klaus.

Grae’s fingers twitched at the hilt of his sword as he said, “The Golden Court Queen wears what the Queen wishes.”

Briar breezed over and intervened as Klaus rubbed the back of his neck.

“Apologies, Klaus,” she said in her flirty, high-pitched voice as she sauntered over to him and placed a concerned hand on his shoulder. Klaus blinked at her once and then, as if under her spell, he melted under her touch. His scowl morphed into anintrigued smile. “You know how we Wolves can be when cooped up in a sleigh for too long.” She laughed as if she’d just told a joke and he smiled along with her. “I’m sure after a good run, we’ll all be feeling much more settled. Thank you so much for all of your help.”

Klaus flashed her a puppy dog smile, all his bite disappearing. “My pleasure, Your Highness.” He lifted her hand and kissed the back of it as Briar demurred; then he gave us one more much less threatening glance before swaggering off with the rest of the guards and maids in tow.

Once we heard their footsteps clinking far enough into the distance down the glass steps, we all let out a collective sigh.

“You are too good at that,” Hector said to Briar with a snort.

“You need to teach me your ways,” Mina signed with a smile.

“He knows you have a mate,” Grae started. “If Maez were here...”

Briar pinned him with a look. “If Maez were here, she would say to use every tactic to our advantage and trust me to handle myself when it comes to any hound that comes sniffing my way. Let me handle the puppies like Klaus.” She turned back to her room and said over her shoulder, “You said we came here for allies. Starting a war against the Queen’s second cousin will do us no favors in the actual war that Nero is bringing to our doorsteps.”

Grae opened his mouth to protest but my hand landed on his forearm. “She’s right,” I said. “Let him misunderstand me for now.” I hated the words even as I said them. Maybe there would be a time and place for me to be myself with these Wolves, but I wouldn’t risk their allegiance for it. I didn’t know if that made me a better or worse person; all I knew was there was too much at stake. “Tolerating him and his jabs right now is for the greater good. And they don’t hurt me.”

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