Page 52 of Fairies Don't Fall

“As part of my coronation ceremonies, we’re having a ball with elven musicians.”

He stepped closer to me, brows furrowing. “You’re actually going to accept the title?”

“Didn’t I say that I would? And I’m going to find a consort at the ball, so we’ll have to have every eligible gentleman in all of Fairyland, especially the poor ones.”

He stared at me. “Seriously? You’d choose someone you’ve never met before?”

I shrugged. “If I dance with them, I’ll read all their thoughts and know their character. How is that less random than my mother, crashing into a swamp and being rescued by my father? It doesn’t matter who I choose.” I sighed heavily, thinking about Max, the war beast who had accidentally buried his fangs into my heart. He wouldn’t ever bury his fangs into anyone intentionally.

“So, you wish me to notify the land that this is your new court?”

“It’s one of them. I can’t use the Queen’s square, not with all the blood soaked in the stones, and the memory tree.” My heart ached as I mourned for my mother, for the world she’d created, that her sister had betrayed, and I had finished destroying. “It’s for pilgrimages, not business. We will turn my Aunt’s betrayalinto an opportunity. This place will be the beginning of a new era of life and vitality.”

“Of course, my lady.” He bowed deeply and then turned and strode away.

Two minutes later, fairies poured out of a portal in the courtyard, bringing things with them that would probably expand into rooms of furniture. I walked over to the nearest fairy as she was bustling by.

“Fiora, have you seen my guest? It’s a werewolf girl I left in the company of the guard at the square of doors.”

“No, my lady,” she said with a bob of respect before she hurried on.

I frowned and went to find some guards. They were setting up on the far side of the courtyard, and when I asked about the portal guard, they told me he was still guarding the square of doors. Of course he was. I sighed and made another portal, stepping into the square to find the guard holding Ruin in his palm up to his eyes so he could see her clearly.

“And the queen will rip you apart if you so much as breathe on me!” She squeaked.

He grinned. “What’s that, little wolfie? I can’t hear you. Your voice is too small.” He was messing with her.

I tapped him on the shoulder and he almost dropped her. I unshrank her, and then he found himself holding a full-sized Ruin, who promptly elbowed his throat and bit his arm, and then would have kicked his head, but I pulled her down instead.

“I’m sorry I left you. I had to see to an exiling, but they’ve already gone. Did the guard hurt you? I asked him to protect you.” I shot him a look which was met by a cringe and a wince.

She huffed. “Well, he didn’t hurt me, but he wouldn’t let me go find you. He said he couldn’t unshrink me, since it would be going against the will of the Queen, although you’renot technically the Queen yet. Anyway, no, but he was really annoying. He’s just like a werewolf.”

The guard looked down so his eyes wouldn’t be noticeable.

I put a hand on his shoulder. “It’s okay. I like some wolves. Ruin is my best friend. Don’t tell Vervain, though. It will hurt his feelings to know that he’s been displaced.”

He looked up and his eyes glowed. “I’m not a wolf. I’m a fairy. I’ve never shifted and I never will.” His low growl definitely was the opposite of convincing.

“Ooooh, that explains your attitude,” Ruin said, nodding sagely. “I didn’t know there were actual fairy-wolves.” She turned to me with an expectant look. “You and Max could…” I covered her mouth with my hand and dragged her back to the portal I’d made on my way here.

No. Max and I couldn’t. Not ever. She couldn’t say that it was possible, because if I heard it, I’d start believing it, and then I’d do anything to make him mine. He was in my skin, in my heart, in my head, an infection that seemed to only be spreading the longer I was without him.

“Vervain,” I called as soon as I was through the portal and in the courtyard.

“He went to get some list about the snack factory,” a fairy boy said, carrying a stack of shimmering fabrics. “He said that you’d need a new court wardrobe, as well as things for your young companion.” He gave Ruin a polite smile, but he looked nervous, probably because the last fifteen times he’d approached me with fabric I’d disappeared or bitten him.

I smiled regally. “Pontif, I am grateful for your alacrity. That’s right. My friend and I are going to do makeovers so that we can really glow at the ball, which will be the finale of my coronation. Everyone in the land will be invited. All eligible males will be required.”

He blinked at me, and Ruin snorted. “He looks like he’s going to have a heart attack.

Pontif rallied quickly. “I am in the process of making arrangements with another female. I am not eligible.”

Ruin burst out laughing at that. I shot her a frown and then smiled at Pontif. “Best of luck with your hopeful beloved. I’m going to walk about the grounds. It’s quite barren, isn’t it? There should be several romantic walks to stroll along during the ball to interview candidates.”

He gasped, then covered his mouth with a bolt of fabric, horrified that he’d made such an undignified sound. “You are going to choose a consort at this ball?”

“If all goes well.”

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