Page 88 of The King’s Queen

I took a deep breath, then answered. “I will.”

“Oh?” The Paragon scoffed. “So now you’re falling back on your ancestors’ ways and are threatening assassination?” He shook his head, his movements a lot faster and more fluid than usual—I was getting to him.

“No. I don’t kill,” I said. “But I’ll finally let my magic take a look at whatever your glamour is hiding, and then I’ll telleveryone.”

The street was silent for several long moments as the Paragon stared at me.

Emotion flicked across his face so quickly, I couldn’t even identify the expressions. “You…you know I’m wearing a glamour?” he finally asked.

I unflinchingly met his gaze. “Paragon, I’m a shadow.”

The Paragon’s face crumpled into something like grief, before he laughed again—this time sounding closer to hysteria. “I forgot—of course, you’re immune to magic! You’re just so nice and anxious, it never occurred to me! Hah-hah! Such a rookie mistake, and I didn’t even think of it!” He was still laughing as he threw his arm over his eyes, smashing his glasses into his face.

Well, I think that worked?

I’d hoped it was a decent threat, but I hadn’t expected that kind of reaction. This was kind of extreme. I wanted him to take me seriously, not to have a mental breakdown.

The Paragon was squatting now, still laughing as he rocked forward and backwards.

Too afraid to look away, I cleared my throat. “I think you’re misunderstanding what I mean.”

The Paragon removed his arm and owlishly peered up at me. “What?”

“I haven’t seen what your glamour is hiding,” I said. “I’ve managed to keep my magic from stripping it.”

The Paragon stood up, his glasses nearly flying off his nose with his incredulousness. “You haven’t looked? Why not?”

I think I’m losing control of this conversation…

I kept my shoulders rolled back. “Just because I haven’t looked doesn’t mean I won’t. If you go after Noctus I will—”

“I get it, I get it,” the Paragon said. “Why haven’t you looked?”

I hesitated. “Because your secrets should remain yours,” I honestly said. “I certainly don’t want to be involved in your business.”

Because that would be so much more trouble, and I have enough of that already, thank you.

I added as an afterthought, “Also, it’s not polite.”

“Not polite,” the Paragon dumbly repeated. He abruptly broke off in another laugh—this one was flavored more like an amused chuckle, thankfully—and the light entered his eyes again. “Very well, Chloe Anderson. I agree to your terms—not because of your threat, but because of who you are.”

“I’m sorry?” I said, confused.

“More than anyone else in our society, you could gather secrets, manipulate, and blackmail,” the Paragon said. “However, you obviously don’t do such a thing. Because you’re too polite, too honorable, and—frankly—too well raised. Thatyouwant to protect Noctus means something. So, I shall bow to your wishes in this matter, and add my thanks that you have refrained from peeking.”

I nodded—it was too dangerous to say thank you to the Paragon as he was a fae, especially since his mood was…off.

“Hold on.” Noctus moved in on the Paragon, looming over me. “Let it be known that if you harm Chloe—physically, with your fae tricks, or otherwise—I willendyou.”

The Paragon frowned. “So you really are that close, hm? Then why has Ama been missing from your home for months?”

“That doesn’t matter,” Noctus said.

“Of course it doesn’t,” the Paragon grumbled. “But you have nothing to fear, I assure you. Forget you, she’s far more terrifying. She drank charmed tea in front of me without batting an eyelash. I don’t think my cat would even tell me if she somehow popped into my pocket realm. Menace.”

The Paragon gave me the evil eye, but I relaxed.

A sassy Paragon was a good sign. It meant he accepted where we stood, for now.

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