Page 122 of Made

“Do you live in the town?” he asked.

“I live in the castle where I’m lady-in-waiting to the queen.”

“The queen,” he repeated as if judging the term for inherent validity. “I will meet her.”

Drexella laughed. “No. You will not. People can’t simply decide they’ll meet the queen. She decides who she will and will not meet.”

“She’s particular?”

“Very.”

“Well then. Introduce me.”

“Why should I?”

“Because, if you agree, I’ll give you a kiss in trade.”

A part of her wanted to protest, but she found herself saying, “You will?”

He pulled her into an embrace and kissed her like she’d never been kissed before. Thoroughly and blissfully.

“I will go home with you,” he said. “To the castle.”

She agreed as if she’d lost the ability to do anything other than agree with the stranger she met in the forest that day.

“Where do you live when you are not here on holiday?” I asked.

“Asia.”

“Yes. Well. That’s a big place. Where in Asia?”

“Zhangjiajie, Hunan Province.”

I didn’t recognize that first thing he said, but I’d eaten enough Chinese food to recognize the word “Hunan”.

“Is that in China?” I asked.

“Yes.” Brightgen glared at him until he got the message and corrected his lack of respect for the court. “Yes, Your Honor.”

“What are your travel plans?”

“I’ve been instructed to remain here until this proceeding is concluded.”

“So, if I rule in your favor, you’ll be on your way?”

“That is my plan,” he said.

“Alright. You may sit down.” I turned to Ms. Merriwether. “I have questions for your client.”

“Yes, Magistrate.” Ms. Merriwether motioned for Drexella to rise.

“Ms. Hogsworth. Why is it important to you to share custody of your child, by the way, what is her name?”

“Kang Mai Jin, Your Honor.”

“Lovely name,” I said. “Tell me why you want the defendant to share custody.”

“My baby isn’t fae. At least not completely. Her father is a forest deity from a world I don’t understand.” I glanced at the defendant, who seemed completely uninterested in the proceeding. “I don’t know how to raise a child with powers I don’t possess. She has needs I can’t meet.

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