Page 69 of Dance with the Dragon Duke

“It’s such an honor to meet you, Your Majesty,” Tomorrow muttered.

“Another hugger,” Sora said, arms stiff at her sides. She frowned at Dark over the top of Tomorrow’s snowy head.

Dark sniggered. Tomorrow released her to explore the hoard with eager excitement. Ruby chittered with the same high energy as her mistress. At first, Dark was tempted to warn her off, but despite his sister’s grumping, the hoard hummed with contentment even as this new intruder ran her fingers over every corner and nook.

“This place is extraordinary,” Tomorrow said, gazing about with ever-expanding copper eyes. The hut sighed as though it were pleased by the compliment. She tapped her foot, and the floorboards squeaked. “That’s where I’d hide my treasures for sure.”

“Shine shinies,” Ruby chirped.

Sora chuckled. “What else do you see?”

“Oh.” Tomorrow hummed, glancing around. “Never-ending possibilities! Gemstones in the bricks. Priceless art in the chair cushions. Gold in the chimney. It’s cozy and homey and marvelously deceptive.”

She babbled on for a time, asking questions, then interrupting the answer to eagerly ask about something else, darting from one side of the room to the other like a bouncing ball of star fire.

Sora took her in with a watchful expression, arms crossed over her velvet dress. The hut continued to hum in a satisfied way.

Eventually, the queen explained her need to attend to urgent matters on her brother’s behalf and rose to leave. Dark let his mate and Ruby out into the corridor but hung back before joining them.

“Now you’ve met her.” Dark grinned at his sister who appeared as amused as she was befuddled.

A befuddled dragon.

“I could do without the hugging,” Sora said.

“You like her,” Dark accused. “Ferocious things always like Tomorrow.”

Sora’s lips quirked. “You’ve chosen well for yourself. Now get out of here. I’ll go and speak with the Queen of Night before she lops your head off. Or worse.”

Dark shuddered. “I wish you’d stop saying ‘or worse’.”

* * *

Dark

Three days later, Dark left his hoard to collect supper for himself and his mate. He sat in the dining room of the Gilded Boot, waiting for their meal. From his seat, he could see through the foyer to the parlor. The snow had fallen heavily that day, and the crowd was smaller than usual. The house was short on staff because of a winter storm. Their food was taking much longer than usual to be prepared.

The doors burst open. A sharp wind whistled through the foyer, snow blasting over the threshold to coat the entrance in glistening slush. A black cat bounded inside, and the scent of Hell followed him. The demon familiar took in the house with large yellow eyes. They found Dark stunned speechless in his seat, and they narrowed on him.

The parlor fell silent as all heads turned toward the foyer.

The Bloody Queen of Night joined her familiar, carrying a pine box so large it made her appear even more Seelie small than usual. Chairs scraped against the floor as patrons stood suddenly from their seats. Footmen wrestled with the door to close it against the winter storm. Once they had it bolted, they shuffled off to hide in the kitchen.

Rain’s face was shadowed by the hood of a heavy brown cloak, only white hair and a narrow chin peeking out. The box in her arms was stained with moisture at the bottom. She set it down beside her tall boots.

Red dripped from the corner of the box.

Courtesans sprinted for the stairs. Patrons scattered. One pushed open a window and crawled his way out, braving the storm. Others ran for the side door. The hair on the back of Dark’s neck stood on end, but he kept himself seated while the Bloody Queen of Night removed thick gloves from her hands one finger at a time, unmoved by the chaos her presence triggered.

Dark couldn’t stop himself from imagining how many pieces he’d have to be cut into to fit in such a box. His stomach clenched.

When the parlor was empty save for Margot and Susan, the queen lowered her hood. There was fire in her amber eyes. Pulling back her cloak, she removed her elven dagger from its sheath, a long piece shot through with gold and green that glinted in the gaslights. Dark worked his throat.

Rain charged forward.

“My queen—”

She kicked his chair over, silencing him. He landed on his back with a thud that jarred his spine. Gathering himself, he kept still. When he tried to speak again, she silenced him with a boot on his throat.

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