A Queen of Ruin (Deliciously Dark Fairytales 4)

“She was worried about you,” Hadriel said, patting my forearm as we walked down the stairs.

The anything but leisure dress, a slinky, silky affair that draped down my neckline and swooped down my back, dragged on the floor with a small train behind me as we made our way down the hall.

“You looked like absolute death, love. You were incredibly pale, and your lips were kinda blue, and by the time I saw you again, you were unconscious in the master’s arms. I must say, even I had a fright. I would prefer not to see you like that again. I have a formal request in to see the wolf alpha. I’m going to ask him to reject me today so I can be done with his pack. It’ll mean I can’t shift until he’s gone, but I have a lockdown on this shaggy bastard.” He pointed at his chest. “I’ll be good, I promise. I’ll learn to fight on two legs if I have to. I’m capable of it, just like you.”

My heart swelled, and I put my hand on his shoulder, stopping for a moment and facing him. “I don’t want to jeopardize your future, Hadriel. I know what a pack would mean to you. There must be some other way this can work.”

“I fit in here, with you. I mean, yes, we both stick out like sore thumbs, but at least we’re doing it together. Besides, I’ll be a queen’s advisor. That is something! I’ll have clothes and go to nice parties and participate in all the things I watched from a distance all those years ago. Sign me up!”

I chuckled softly and kept walking. Although I had a destination in mind, I didn’t mention it to him, knowing he wouldn’t approve.

“Whatever you decide,” I said, “aim for happiness over stuff. Dresses and parties aren’t fun when you’re lonely.”

“Don’t leave me, and I won’t be lonely.”

“Hello, Strange Lady.” Vemar pushed off the wall down the way, and I couldn’t help but stagger to a stop. A smile stretched across his face, showing off newly whitened teeth that stood out against his dark brown skin. His deep-set brown eyes glittered, and he tucked one of his large hands in the pocket of his…extremely colorful jacket.

“What…” It was all I could get out.

His smile growing, if that were possible, he ran a hand down the yellow velvet of his lapel, setting off some of the yellow in the jacket’s busy design. Fitted black pants draped from his trim hips, though they couldn’t completely mask his powerfully robust thighs. Yellow velvet—or something like it—dress shoes and a blue pocket square “completed” the ensemble.

“What…” I said again.

“Surprise,” Hadriel said drolly, grabbing my arm to get me walking again. “The prince placed him as your temporary bodyguard until you are elevated to queen. By then, it is the hope that your normal guard will be properly trained. They seem to forget who they should be protecting as soon as the prince is in their midst. So, since he correctly realizes you’ll stop at nothing to get into danger, he’s going to work with them. You’ll all learn together eventually, but until you know how to properly fly, Arleth and Dee will be handling you.”

“And in the meantime”—Vemar spread his arms—“I am dressing the part. Look…” He drew closer and pointed to a little yellow dick within the pattern. “There are thirty-seven of them on my person, and I am asking all the pretty little wolves I meet to try to find them all. For each hint I have to give, we must both lose a piece of clothing.”

“Let me guess…” Hadriel said, his tone flat. “Thirty-six in the jacket and one that isn’t so hidden after the hints are handed out?”

Vemar braced his hands on his hips and winked. “Very smart, Mr. Butler. How did you know?”

Hadriel huffed. “You think you’re the first guy to trick people into looking for your junk? Trust me, ‘find the sausage’ is a well-known game around these parts. If you want more takers, ask the house staff. They will be more than grateful for something new to stick in their mouths. And it is now Mr. Advisor.”

Vemar threw back his head and guffawed, shaking with laughter.

“You know that working with me doesn’t require ridiculous clothing, right?” I asked as we continued on, me leading and them not paying attention.

“This isn’t ridiculous.” Vemar smoothed down his jacket.

“It is absolutely ridiculous, yes. I tend to wear that clothing because it is ridiculous,” Hadriel replied. “It disarms people. You aren’t going to disarm anyone. They’ll probably be more worried seeing you walking around looking like that. It basically screams unhinged. What’s next? Are you going to grow a mustache and try to pass yourself off as my twin?”

“If you like.”