Page 77 of Queen of the Night
Mama Tina’s eyes open wide, then her mouth curves into a wide, approving smile. “You should know I wouldn’t approve of justanycriminal for my niece.”
“Yes, well…” I clear my throat, and with a somewhat sober tone in my voice, I try to prepare her for my title. “While I’m grateful you think so highly of me, I hope you continue to once you know the full truth.”
“Please, tell.” She appears overjoyed to be let in on a secret, her eyes shining bright as she leans forward in her chair with her hands clasped tightly.
I begin slowly. “I am not, and never have been, a criminal. Vera arrested me, but the warrant was false. She didn’t know who I was until halfway through the mission she contracted with me on.”
Her eyes are full of delight at the mystery of it all.
She leans forward even further. “And?”
“I’m Ikar, High King of Moneyre.”
Mama Tina’s eyes widen. “The high king?”
She throws her head back and laughs so hard that the large bees embroidered on her full skirt bounce with the movement, and I’m concerned she’ll fall off her seat.
I sit forward the smallest bit, confused by her reaction, but prepared to catch her if needed.
“Forgive me. It’s just… knowing Vera, I can imagine her reaction to all of this.” She laughs again, setting her bees to flying a second time.
I sit there with a careful smile on my lips until my patience wears thin. The woman tests me almost as much as Jethonan. Time is ticking.
“Where can I find her?”
She blots at her eyes with her dainty tissue. “You can wait for her here, or go search her out at the fae market. She and Renna planned to spend the day there.” She clasps her hands together and tilts her head, more serious than I’ve ever seen her now. “You should know that I’ve never approved of a man for Vera, before you. But you have your work cut out for you. I’ve never been very supportive of the way the Black Tulips have secreted themselves, hiding behind magic bracelets and such?—”
“Hiding behind bracelets?”
“Yes.” She stands and picks up a small box sitting on a nearby table, muttering something aboutwasted moneyas she goes. She returns and places it in my hands, waiting for me to open it. I lift the lid, and inside is a bracelet identical to the one that Vera wore—the one that broke.
I think I already know the answer, but I ask to be sure. “What does it do?”
“Hides them from kings, of course.” Mama Tina takes thebox back. “This one arrived just last night, and I didn’t have the nerve to give it to her before she left this morning. I’ll tell her when she returns, and I’m sure she’ll put it on.” She looks at me with a raised brow. “Unless you can find her and convince her not to. She’s been taught to hate you; you’ll have to earn her trust.”
Something I am highly aware of.
She grabs my hand and squeezes. “Go find her, boy.”
I stand, amused by her familiarity and prepared to thank her for her help. Then she adds, “I expect grandchildren right away.”
I choke as she pushes me out the door.
Chapter 44
Vera
Iwander the fae market, grateful for the busy chaos around me that distracts from the dream I had last night that brought all my locked-up feelings for Ikar back to the surface in the most torturous of ways. The last thing I wanted to do was leave Mama Tina’s, but as usual, Renna seemed to sense my inner turmoil and dragged me out shopping.
Now, as the suns warm my face, I’m glad we came. I hold up a glass tea kettle in the sunshine. The light emphasizes the glass etching of intricate leaves, trees, and flowers that climb up its sides. I justknowit’ll sell easily in my future shop. Rupi chirps in approval, shuffling across my shoulder and bobbing her head. She loves the markets as much as I do.
“You already know you’ll be buying it,” Renna chimes in, impatient. “Hand over the money and let’s move on.” She eyes another vendor’s items down the way eagerly.
The merchant waits to see if I’ll purchase it. I bite my lip as I consider the price and finally decide it’s worth it. I pull the money from my bag and pay the woman, then use the daintywood handle to lower it carefully into the leather bag slung across my body. It’s already weighed down with several other items I’ve found this morning, and I’m feeling like a pleased and greedy dragon sitting atop its treasure.
Renna twines her arm with mine and pulls me to the next merchant, chatting happily as we weave through crowds of people who come to the fae for their renowned markets. She gasps, pulling me toward another table. “Look at this ribbon!” She snatches a spool of gray-blue that reminds me of Ikar’s eyes and holds it to my face. “It’s the perfect complement to your skin tone.”
I force myself to laugh. “I’ve no need of ribbons, Renna. All I ever wear is this.” I wave my hand down my body, still attired in the blousy shirt and corset-style vest, to the close-fitting breeches, and tall leather boots I plan to wear for the foreseeable future. Just because I’m retired from my work as an originator doesn’t mean I don’t reach for the comfortable apparel and my favorite weapons—and Icertainlyhave no need of ribbon that reminds me of Ikar.
