Page 55 of Raven's Dawn

“You wouldn’t know them,” Laila said.

“Oh, darling, I know all.”

“I can assure you, you don’t. That’s why I’m here.” Smiling, Laila pulled out a chair on the opposite side of the table and took a seat. “But thanks. I like you too.”

Narrowing her eyes, Caeda took the seat across from her. She propped her elbows on the table and leaned forward, squinting in suspicion. “That’s not usually the way people address the queen.”

“Factually?”

“Yes. There are typically more pleasantries. ‘Apologies, your Majesty.’ ‘Thank you, your Majesty.’ ‘Anything you wish, your Majesty.’ You don’t address me that way. Is it because you’re from the Earth realm? Are you unfamiliar with our customs?”

“No, my familiarity with our customs is exactly why I didn’t say your Majesty. Do gràs. That’s what we use for our royals.”

“That’s what the Fae use.”

“That’s what the Elves used to use,” Laila said. “The Angels, they used ‘your Majesty.’ I don’t have much respect for them. So no, I’m not going to adopt their verbiage.”

“But I’m the queen. It’s what I wish to be called.”

Little did Caeda realize that she was speaking to the queen above all queens. Although, given the way she felt about the gods, I doubted that would faze her.

“Have your subjects call you that, then. I’ll address you as do gràs, because that is what you are. An Elvan queen is a Fae queen. I spent too much of my life trying to assimilate into the Angels’ way, and I won’t do it again.”

Caeda let out a little, “hmm,” and leaned back in her seat. “That is why. You rebuke the Angels.”

“You don’t?”

“Fucking stars, I’d kill them all if I could.”

“Then you understand why I don’t want to honor their culture.”

“Fair enough.” She studied her for a few heartbeats. Then she looked at the rest of us, face screwing up in confusion. “Why are you all still standing? Sit. Aeirth,” she yelled toward the double doors, “wine and a late supper, please!” She turned back to Laila. “A mind of your own. I like that.”

Slowly, looking between each other, we all did so.

We took up the entirety of the long table. Only Luci joined Caeda on the other side. Jeremy was it its end, Laila next to him, Iliantha beside her, then Connor, Naomi, Amara, and the rest of us. Ezra was beside Amara, Warren next to Ezra with Rain on his other side, and then me. Beside me, Ramona sat, giving me a wide-eyed glance.

Once we were seated, she bumped her elbow into mine. That was typically signal to drop into her thoughts, so I did. Aye?

Should we be scared?

Of Caeda?

No, of the unemotional dragon painting. Ramona shot me a look. Yeah, dumb ass. Of Caeda.

She’s odd, but I don’t think she’s dangerous. As long as we keep our mouths shut, we should be fine.

Ramona harumphed. Sorta been my motto this whole trip.

“I like a friendly debate.” Laila leaned back in her seat as well. “But maybe we should get to it then.”

“Oh, no. Not yet.” Caeda waved her off. “Everyone must introduce themselves. This is Laila. The defiant one. Iliantha. The old, silly friend who truly has no place ruling a queendom. Really, love, you ought to fuck a man and give us an heir already.” She laughed, gesturing to her as well, and then to the man who sat beside her. “Luci, he said. The handsome Angel. The rest of you, I haven’t a clue. Let’s go around the table. Make yourselves known. Tell me something interesting. Give me a reason to like you.”

Wow.

Alright, I understood why people didn’t like her.

Was Iliantha the best queen? No. She wasn’t. Although I had nothing but respect for queer people, this was one area where it became a problem. Because Iliantha had been ruler of the Deep North for thousands of years and had yet to produce an heir.

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