Page 21 of A Touch of Poison
“Didn’t I mention it?” I raised my eyebrows. “It must’ve slipped my mind.”
Sitting at her dressing table, she pulled pins from her elaborate hairstyle, depositing them in a dish. The tight curls eased over her shoulders as they were released. “You ran a stag to death to bring her here. She must be important. Too important to slip your mind.”
“She uncovered the changeling. I would’ve felt bad if she’d died on my account.” Not untrue. Just not theentiretruth.
Clicking her tongue, she shook her head. “Really, Bastian. First you don’t report to me as soon as you return, then this? You’ve got me wondering what other secrets you’re keeping.”
I bit my tongue on the reminder that Dawn was Ascendant by the time I reached the palace. It wouldn’t help. “What could I possibly be hiding from you, Your Majesty?”
In the mirror, she arched an eyebrow at me. “Isn’t that the question?”
I held still, used to these games, and returned her penetrating look with a bored one. She was the person who’d taught me how beneficial it was to put others off balance, and it was from mybabaI’d learned a mask of boredom could hide a multitude of sins.
“I want to meet her.”
“That won’t be—”
“Ennet,” she called, voice taking on a commanding quality that would pierce the doors to her chamber.
At once, her assistant’s face appeared at the door, notebook and pen in hand. “Your Majesty?”
“Arrange a ball for next week.”
Ennet pulled a slim diary from her pocket. The pages flicked themselves. “Your Majesty’s calendar is full all week. There’s nothing until next month.”
“Fine.” Braea flicked her hand, impatience huffing through the solitary word. “Arrange it for then. Just don’t bore me with the details.”
“Very good, Your Majesty.” Ennet scribbled in the diary before tucking it away. “Any particular theme, or should I take care of it?”
“I want to reward this human of Bastian’s for services to my court.”
“She isn’t mine,” I said a little too quickly for my bored exterior.
Ennet shot me a glance but nodded. “Bastian is right. We don’t steal humans anymore, if you’ll recall. You agreed—”
“Oh, I know very well what I agreed, Ennet!” Braea slammed another hair pin into the dish. “Stars above, must you be so literal? All I mean is for you to organise something in the girl’s honour.”
My blood ran cold. I wanted to lurch forward and stop this, but I needed to remember myself and what it meant to be calm.
Oblivious, Braea went on. “Show her the Night Queen rewards loyalty.” She snorted. “Maybe even blow her little human mind with all the wonder of fae hospitality.”
“That won’t be necessary.” I chuckled and waved my hand, proud of how at ease I seemed.
“Nonsense!” She shook her head before disappearing behind her dressing screen, which showed the night sky lightening ready for dawn.
Not long before Sleep would claim her and I still had questions—questions that related to work rather than to a ball that would draw far too much attention to Kat. “We need to—”
“The girl saved your life, and I want to meet her,” her voice cut from the other side of the screen. “She will have a ball. Ennet, you will arrange it. That is that.”
“Consider it done, Your Majesty.” Even though the queen couldn’t see us, Ennet bowed her head before starting for the door.
Braea emerged wearing a dressing robe. “Oh, and have it in the lodestone ballroom. Invite Dawn.” She gave a narrow smile that made her black eyes glint. “I want them reminded that a mere human girl foiled their attempt to poison my Shadow.”
I bit back a groan. Great. So Dawn would also be reminded of Kat’s importance.
Not missing a step, Ennet scribbled in her notebook. “Goodnight, Your Majesty.” With a bow, she exited.
“My dear Bastian.” Braea sighed as she approached. “There’s no need for that scowl. I’ll ensure everyone knows Kate—”
