“Oh, that’s good,” Carys snickered. “I have my work cut out for me if I want to beat that.”

“When do the games commence?” Darrow asked.

“Not until autumn,” Carys replied. “We were planning on the summer but it can get too hot in Wynreach, and we worried that the people wouldn’t be able to gather for the events.”

“Hot in the East?” Tem laughed, his eyebrows raising. “The sun is weak on that side of the continent.”

“Well, they’re not accustomed to it,” Carys gritted out. “And we want to make the competitions available for all citizens to watch. They’ll be voting for their future ruler, after all.”

“I still can’t believe you’re letting the witches and humans vote,” Darrow said with a disapproving laugh. “They can select their own local officials; why do they need a hand in fae leadership?”

“I think you’ll find they’re invested in who rules their kingdom.” Carys frowned. Clearly Darrow didn’t know that Carys had a halfling sister. “The fae sovereign affects them all.”

Tem yawned, stretching his arms over his head. “It’s getting late. We should retire.”

“Thank the Gods,” Bri muttered, pushing back from her chair. She had no interest in hearing Darrow and Carys spar about politics.

“Are you staying here tonight?” Lina asked Tem as she rose.

Bri’s eyes snagged on Lina’s curving figure, the fabric of her dress perfectly hugging her hips in a way that made Bri’s throat go dry.

“Yes.” Tem stood and kissed the back of her hand. “Why don’t you stay too?”

Bri bit down on the growl that rumbled in her chest.

“I’ll sleep better in my own bed,” Lina said with a careful smile as she pulled her hand from his.

A smirk pulled on Bri’s lips at the way Lina diplomatically rejected the invitation.

“We’ll escort you back to the castle,” she said, gesturing for Lina to lead the way.

“Thank you for the delicious dinner,” Carys said with such warmth that Bri knew it was sarcasm.

They gave Darrow a half-bow.

“We’d love to have you again sometime,” he said with a gruff nod, his expression not matching his words.

Bri snickered, following Lina out of the room, Carys beside her.

“Ugh.” Carys licked her sleeve. “That was so gross.”

Lina shot her a sharp look. “Tell me again why you think you’d make a good Queen?”

Carys gave a mock flutter of her lashes. “Because I waited to wipe my tongue until I’d left the table.”

Lina tried to maintain a steely expression but her cheeks dimpled and she pressed on faster out of the foyer.