No one stopped me as I passed them, though everyone stared at me. There were a variety of expressions from the women, but I was used to that. The men were all obvious about what they thought of me. Or of María. But that was fine, I didn’t want anyone to pay too close attention to me. It was better if the women were cold and distant and then only saw me as a toy to play with. It increased my chances of getting in and out of here unnoticed.

When I finally made it to the throne room, I didn’t stop to look around or even slow down. I kept my chin high and walked right in. Confidence was an excellent disguise. If you looked like you knew what you were doing people noticed less. The throne room was empty, just as Everest said it would be without him or Sweyn around. I took a deep breath and paused just inside the closed door, making sure the coast was clear. This room wasn’t lined with windows like the ballroom was. Less chance of witnesses. I raced over to the throne and sank to my knees.

My fingers were just prying open the compartment door when I heard Everest in my mind, “Abort. She’s coming. Now.”

Fuck. I jumped to my feet and leapt off the steps just as the throne room door swung open.

Sweyn rushed through the door then stopped short when she spotted me. She narrowed her glowing red eyes and arched one eyebrow. “María? What are you doing in here?”

“Mi reina.” I dropped into a low bow. “¿Dónde están todos?”

She strolled forward, each step deliberate. She tossed her long white hair over her shoulder. “What does that mean, tickling?”

“¿Everest? ¿Katelin? ¿Tú?” I grimaced then bit my bottom lip and gestured around the room like I was looking for people. “No sé qué hacer ahora.”

None of this was a lie. I didn’t know where everyone was, nor did I know what to do now. I scurried up to her then pulled on all those charade game nights I’d had as a kid and acted out eating where I brought my fingers to my open mouth then chomped my teeth together like I was chewing. I pressed my hands to my stomach and shrugged.

That sharp, suspicious edge to her expression faded. “Ah, I see. Come with me, pretty tickling. You do not need to fend for yourself this night.” Then she hooked her arm around my elbow and led the way out of her throne room.