Page 101 of Fae Farewells

“Make a bigger mess?” he proposed. “You look every bit the Winter Queen of my dreams.”

When I made a show of swooning over his answer, he rolled his icy blue eyes.

“Come on, Princess. We have a queen to kill.”

He pulled me to his chest as he misted us into the throne room behind a marble pillar—or column, as Tilly had called them. They were the same thing to me, but I was happy to find they’d work perfect for my game… If they could withstand Alania’s attacks.

Lashul was the only person in the throne room. She dropped her mop carelessly on the floor as she backed toward the doors.

“Three minutes,” she warned us. “I’ve already seen what you’ll do, Princess. All the staff have left for the winter palace. Send them home when this is over. We’ll have the place tidied up.”

She disappeared before us, a floral scent lingering in her place.

“She’s spring fae,” Vaughn whispered. “I didn’t know that.”

“I have a theory,” I casually tossed out. “And she just backed it up.”

“Care to share?”

“I don’t think I have enough time, but I’m going to mention it to Alania, so listen in. We can talk about it later,” I told him. “Try fading into the shadows.”

Vaughn raised a brow, unimpressed with my suggestion. “How?”

“Step into the darkest part and let it embrace you.” I pushed him backward three steps. “When you hear the low hum of white noise, you’ll know you’re covered.”

“What are you doing?”

I smiled as I twirled in a circle. “I’m going to sit on her throne while we wait.”

We didn’t have to wait long.

Lashul had been spot on when she left.

Alania slung the doors open, stomping toward her throne before coming to an abrupt halt. Tilly trailed behind her, but she stopped outside the threshold, tipping her head at me. Thatcher passed in a blurb of motion, scoping her up and out of the way, as he sped into the sitting room across the hall.

“What do you think you’re doing on my throne?” Alania asked, her threat evident in her movements.

“Admiring the view,” I responded in an airy tone, waving my hand in front of me. “It must be quite the power trip to tower over your people.”

She narrowed her eyes as she made her way closer. “Get off of my throne”

“I have a proposition for you,” I countered, then smirked. “Alania.”

“My name is Vex.”

I clicked my tongue. “We both know it’s not. Drop the charade.”

“What makes you think you can come to me with a proposition after you’ve been caught stealing from me?”

“Oh? What did I steal?”

“My crown.” Fury washed over her features, her glamor slipping the slightest bit to show her sharp teeth.

I smiled as I felt the weight of said crown fall upon my head. “This one?”

“That is mine,” she hissed.

“But is it?”