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“Don’t you feel even a little sorry for her?” I asked. “She’s been humiliated. Foiled by her own gift to the princess. It’s…”

“Poetic,” said Esme.

“No. I do no’ feel even alittlebit sorry for her,” said Kagan.

Esme smiled at Kagan lovingly, then reached up and ran her hand over his blondish locks that would look too young and shiny on a human. I smiled to myself knowing exactly how that feels.

“What happened to that dragon?” Ilmr asked Vidar as they fell together onto her bed laughing.

“You mean where did it go when she whished it away? Don’t know. I could find out.”

She shook her head. “Not that important. But I did wonder. Will he be rogue like that forever?”

“Oh, no. If I did that, my superiors would be compelled to step in. Permanently altering a powerful creature might even cost me my ranger badge. Don’t worry. It will wear off soon.”

Ilmr gazed into Vidar’s eyes adoringly. “You did it. I don’t know yet how this affects my rank as queen, but I do know Maeve took a hit. A big one.”

“I know. I overheard somebody in the crowd say, ‘Maeve must be slipping. She can’t even control her granddaughter’s dragon. And I heard it was a gift from her!’” Ilmr watched his sexy mouth as it spread into a smile. “By the time we’re done, you’ll be number one.”

“In your heart?”

“Mine. Yes. But also, in the hearts ofallof fae.”

“Ooh. Like the sound of that.” She pulled him into a lingering kiss before saying, “What’s a ranger badge?”

CHAPTER TWENTY Black Sylph

It was nice to have things back to normal. Okay, granted my normal might seem anything but normal to humans, but that’s the thing about humans. One of our best things is supreme adaptability. Being the sole judge of disputes between fae, witches, hobgoblins, gods, gargoyles, phoenices, leprechauns, and many, many, many more species that will go unmentioned here may seem wackadoodle to the uninitiated. But this is my life and I’m used to it.

Between Esme’s capture, Kagan’s quests, and Maeve’s party, Yule Court sounded like a string of tame days, and I was looking forward to it. I’d selected a few quickie cases, meaning I knew they’d take no more than an hour beginning to end, along with three that could be precedent setting.

I convened the eight thousandth three hundred and seventy-second court five days after the Winter Solstice. We would normally begin the day after mid-winter, but I’d exercised my seldom-used privilege to postpone for a few days because I, the magistrate, was mentally preoccupied with Esme’s kidnapping. Perhaps more important, the enforcer was absent physically. Although Keir spent most court time trying not to look like he was “quiet quitting”, part of the reason for that luxurious privilege was his presence. In all the worlds collectively, there are not many creatures who would willingly confront an angry sephalian.

At the heart of the first case was infidelity. I normally reject domestic dispute cases out of hand, but this was an usual circumstance that resulted in damages beyond hurt feelings.

After Lochlan, Keir and I were seated, Hengest called out in full voice. “Hear Ye. Hear Ye. The court will now hear the case of Milish Bergatti from the house of Sforza versus Jet Darius, a black sylph.”

While reviewing potential cases for this docket, I’d been intrigued by the file but knew nothing about sylphs. In short, they are winged elementals of the air, thought to be the origin of many winged magic kind including angels. They don’t appear to humans often, but when they do, it makes an impression.

Plaintiff and defendant were escorted to their respective tables before the bench. Gote Murelli was representing Count Milish Bergatti, whose family could afford his services. Dzbog Bogdan was attorney for the Black Sylph, assigned from the pool.

The license to practice law in my court was dependent on agreement to do provide pro bono work for petitioners when needed.

During the ready hour prior to calling court to order, Lochlan had done his best to warn me that Black Sylphs are infamously associated with sexual magnetism and that humans are particularly susceptible. I should’ve known better than to be dismissive of my clerk, but I laughed him off, boasting that I, Rita Hayworth, have free will and am not given to weird hypnotic crushes on dark angels.

Within seconds of having the sylph before me, I knew two things. Lochlan was right. And I was in trouble. All it took was a glance in his direction to send my temperature flip-flopping. I supposed black sylphs are so-called because of wings black enough to suggest a moonless night. As if going with that theme, the sylph was also dressed in black leather, head to toe. His hair was long, waist-length, and straight, so close to the black hue of his wings that, where they touched, it was hard to distinguish locks from feather. The only relief in the sea ofdarkness was the pale blue gray of his irises surrounding pupils so large I would’ve accused him of being high if he weren’t magic kind. His eyes were so striking it was hard to look away, almost like not being able to look elsewhere when a snake is about to strike.

He was flawless, with the single exception of a wing that appeared to be partially damaged where tears and holes allowed a viewer to see through it. That compromise with perfection didn’t diminish his attraction. Not in the least. In short, he was a fortyish woman’s sex-on-a-stick fantasy come to life. Worse, he seemed to have some sense that allowed him to gauge his effect on me. Because he smiled.

It wasn’t a cheerful or socially engaging smile. It was purely sardonic and he didn’t mind me knowing that he was mocking my attraction.How is it possible that a creature could be so powerfully seductive?For crying out loud. He was fifteen feet away.

Keir, whose sense of smell was off the charts whether he was in lion or biped form, growled softly.

Lochlan, always sharp and in command of the situation, cleared his throat. “Magistrate. Shall we take a brief adjournment?”

I stared at my clerk for a full thirty seconds before putting my hand in front of my mouth, just in case someone in court could read lips. “Is there a remedy?” I whispered. “If I say yes?”

Lochlan leaned in and likewise covered his mouth. We looked like baseball players having a chat between plays. “Any of the queens can create a block. Evangeline is not present as of yet, but Queen Serafina is here and she knows how to keep things to herself.”

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