“If he thinks this will make me wear a tunic—”

Astrid laughed, a high-pitched sound that carried across the room. She was dressed like royalty herself, discarding her normal linen shifts and robes for a resplendent silver gown that looked like it could have come straight from Kali’s wardrobe. Actually, I wouldn’t be surprised if it had. Astrid had been gone most of the night after following Kali and was remarkably tight-lipped about what had happened. The air witch stood confidently next to the princess now, knowing the king couldn’t risk the faux pas of telling his newest ally to get the fuck away from his daughter. It was genius, and I laughed as Astrid continually leaned over to whisper in the princess’s ear. Erias watched from his dais, his grip tight around his goblet.

I wore my father’s gold chain, my own crown, and my blue sash. It was the only piece of ceremonial clothing I had from my father, since he had insisted on wearing it wherever he went before he died. I remembered plucking it from his cold, bloodied body along with the chain. Carefully, I took a large breath in, held it, then released it. I had also been wearing it when I crowned Wren.

Wren.

“Try not to look like you’ll shred everyone’s face off. Go dance with a lady or two.” Spike nudged my wings.

I growled. “I want my lady.”

“More for me, then.” Spike set down his glass on a nearby table and flitted away. I kept to corners and the walls, marking faces and monitoring the guards. It was because of this that I immediately noticed when the queen looked at me. Everyone around her turned to follow her gaze, and a path was cleared from me to her. I glanced around, and the king was nowhere to be found. I stood my ground as she approached me in the shadows.

I offered my hand politely. “Your highness.”

Queen Nian gave a light bow before me, the bow of two equals acknowledging each other. It was the first overt sign of respect anyone had shown me since I had been here. Mildly stunned, I bowed back.

“Will you dance with me?” she asked.

Nian’s normally vacant eyes glittered with intelligence and a sharpness that cut deep and left me intrigued. There was no sign of Spike, Zara, or Astrid with the princess. I was on my own.

“I must warn you; I’ve been told I’m a hulking brute.”

Her smile was radiant but edged with that same sharp intensity. I held out my arm like I’d seen the other men do, and she took it. Wherever she stepped the crowd parted, until we were center stage on the dance floor. I refused to shift into my human form, forcing people to move out of the way of my massive wings. The queen stopped and twirled in my arms to face me. One hand delicately landed on my upper arm, the other seeking my fingers. In reflex I grabbed her high on her waist, above where her expansive skirt began. We carefully flitted around my claws as she expertly led me in a medium-paced dance.