Page 14 of Queen of the Crimson Throne

“But you’re not my ladies maid.”

He threw me one of his sly Nico smiles that only curved up one side of his mouth. “Are you sure? Perhaps I took up a new profession while we were apart. Being an emissary can get boring. Thought it was time for a change of pace.” He winked before pushing himself off the door frame.

I shook my head. “I’m serious Nico, what are you doing here?”

“Like I said, I’m bringing you your dinner?”

I let out an irritated sigh. “But why areyoubringing me dinner?”

“Because I missed you.” I froze, my entire body stiffened at his words.

“Don’t look so surprised, L. You make a damn good impression. Now are you going to let me in or make me stand in thehallway all night and eat this food alone?”L? Where the fuck did that come from?

I moved aside, allowing him room to move through the doorway before shutting the door behind him.

“C'mon, Lennox. I want to hear all about everything you’ve been up to these past few weeks.”

When I finally turned away from the door I found Nico perched on the couch in the sitting room, filling two glasses with wine before holding one out to me.

He waggled his eyebrows at my hesitation. “I’m not the one who bites, remember?”

I crossed my arms over my chest. “What are you doing here, Nico?”

A crease formed between his brows as he took me in. His expression softened.

“You’re my friend and I missed you. I thought this would be a great opportunity to catch up.” His shoulders dropped as he looked at the glasses in his hands. “But if you want me to leave I will.” He placed the glasses on the table and moved to stand.

“No wait, you can stay—it’s—” I let my arms fall to my sides as I searched for the words. “It’s been a long time since I’ve had a friend.”

Nico smiled softly. “Well, let me reacquaint you with the practice of friendship,my queen.” He gestured to the space next to him on the couch. Hesitantly, I sat, taking the glass of wine from his outstretched hand.

“Typically, when friends haven’t seen one another in a while they like to make time to catch up. Usually over wine.”

I took a sip. “I can handle that.”

“So how have you been? What have you been doing to occupy your time besides dreaming of us?”

A sound adjacent to a laugh caught in my throat. “I‘ve been fine. I’ve been keeping busy with my duties as High Queen.”

“I don’t believe you for one second.” He stretched a long arm over the back of the couch. “But if you‘re not ready todivulge whatever secret you’re keeping now that’s fine.” I swallowed. I didn’t think I’d ever be ready.

“Why are you here, Nico?”

“I already told you?—”

I set my glass on the table and shifted on the couch so I could face him. “But why? You’re Luka’s best friend. Why are you choosing to come here and talk with me when you’re on his side? Did Luka send you here to spy on me?”

He shook his head. “Is that what you think of me? And of Luka? You know he’d never do such a thing.”

“But do I? How well do I know either one of you?”

“Lennox, there are no sides in this. Despite what you may believe we’re all on the same side here. You and Luka might not be on the best terms, but that doesn’t change our relationship.” He gestured between the two of us with a finger.

Would they truly not pick sides? Nico and Declan? Maybe it was better if there weren’t any sides. I‘m not sure I‘d have anyone on my side anyway, not with how I’d been treating my sister as of late. I would admit, I missed Nico. I missed his light-hearted spirit, his crass jokes, and the way he was able to make me smile so easily.

Nico placed his hand gently on my leg, his dark eyebrows bunching together as he met my gaze. “What is going on with you, Lennox?”

I took in a shaky breath. “I don’t know.” My chest constricted, my breaths coming in shallow pants as my magic pushed against my skin.

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