Page 41 of A Dead End Wedding

The Fae took his seat, produced a small, silver hourglass from a pocket, sat it down on the table next to the middle of the chessboard, and moved his first piece.

For those unfamiliar with the “game of queens,” or, as we call it, the game of kings, let me tell you something about watching a chess game.

It’s boring.

Soboring.

Incrediblyboring.

“It’s as bad as watching golf,” Jack murmured, after the first hour.

“Worse than golf,” I said, after the second hour.

“I’m going for donuts,” Susan said, after the third hour.

By the end of the fourth hour, most of the Dead Enders who remained at the square were sound asleep on blankets they’d brought with them.

I kept dozing off, despite the high stakes, because:

I didn’t sleep a lot this week, and,

See above re: boring.

Finally,finally,at a quarter after five in the morning, an act of unbelievable excitement occurred.

Acton tipped his king over on the board.

Then he stood up and gave my uncle a very low bow.

Uncle Mike stood up, a bit more slowly, since his knees were probably stiff, and returned the bow.

“I have not had such a game in more than a thousand years,” Acton said, but he sounded delighted, not resentful. “We must play again in the future.”

“I’d be honored,” Uncle Mike said, grinning. “You nearly had me more than once.”

Queen Viviette, who’d popped back into the square from wherever she’d disappeared to at two in the morning, narrowed her eyes at Acton and then did a very sarcastic slow clap. “How lovely for you that you found a new chess opponent, my Champion.”

Ouch.

Acton looked nervous, and I didn’t blame him.

“We shall meet again in this square three nights from now for your Trial of Alliance,” the queen said. “Until then, farewell.”

I stepped forward and held out an invitation. “For you, Your Majesty.”

She tilted her head in curiosity, but said nothing.

One of her guards took it from me and then leaned toward her and whispered something.

“Ah, yes,” Viviette said. “The terms were unclear as to the prize, so the three Battle winners shalleachreceive a chest of jewels.”

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