Queen Alpha (NYC Mecca #2)(42)
The vehicle pulled up in front of the royal home. The council and Selene bowed in greeting as I exited the SUV. When I was standing before them, my full costume on display, Selene’s eyes narrowed on me. Her features darkened and it was clear she was regretting her costume choice, wishing she was the queen, with access to my amazing seamstresses.
Never going to happen.
“Greetings,” I said to everyone, and I was pretty proud of my sincerity. I actually sounded like I liked them all.
Making my way up the large staircase, I was pleased to not see Selene’s familiar around. She had not forgotten my threat to turn him into a fried snake delicacy. Torine stepped in beside me, taking a look at my gown and smiling. As much as the council was driving me crazy lately, the summer festival was a time of merriment, so I returned his smile.
“How is security?” I asked.
The council was responsible for the security of the event, tasked with keeping the two shifter populations at peace, and keeping prying human eyes from seeing anything otherworldly. They would keep the four magic born close by in case of any incidents. Violet, Sabina, Seamus, and Jesabele were on their way right now. My best friend had my crown in her possession. I’d need it for later when the official ceremonies kicked off.
“Security is top rate, as always. We have no incidents to report, and the bear king has already paid his respects.” He waved a hand as if that was that and I didn’t need to hear anything further.
All I could think about was the fact that Kade was close by. I forced myself to focus.
“Did Violet spell the water?” I asked, wanting the council to know I was staying on top of things. No longer would they be pulling my strings in the background. Not to mention they were stupidly unconcerned about a fae attack during the summer festival.
Torine’s face creased into a look of such arrogance that I wanted to punch him in his straight teeth. “It’s all fine, Your Majesty. Go out and mingle with your people.”
Hah! Just like that I was dismissed, no more useful than an ornament on a Christmas tree. Just hanging around to pretty up the place. Bastard.
Selene was looking rather smug, but that look fell when I cut her with a glare. A blast of warm wind, ancient power, and familiarity trickled in across the porch and I calmed. Finn was near. Turning, I saw him galloping toward me. He reached me in seconds, his warm body brushing up my side.
Fancy meeting you here, I teased.
Interesting choice for costume, Ari. Freudian slip on the seamstresses’ behalf, I think.
Always one step ahead of everyone else, I wasn’t surprised that he’d noted the fae nature of my costume. No one else had yet. Thank God for Finn. I would literally be curled up rocking in a corner without him.
Calista crossed over to me. She’d been organizing all of my things out of the car and into the royal home. “Time for you to mingle, Your Majesty,” she said to me. “The official opening ceremony is in a few hours, but for now you need to be out with the people, reassure them with your presence.”
“Okay, please send Violet to me when she arrives.” I made a point of saying this loud enough for the council to hear.
Calista nodded, and started typing away on her tablet. Within seconds I had a royal contingent of dominants around me. My five inner circle were the closest to me, and at least twenty others streamed out around us.
I shook my head. “I won’t greet my people with a wall of security between me and them. I will take my five, and they can call for backup if anything happens.”
Torine shook his head. “It’s not safe. You’re queen now. Think what would happen if you were to be hurt, or even die here. We cannot allow it.”
Well, that sounded an awful lot like an order.
I stood straighter, a few specks of glitter flying off my arms. “I am the queen, you allow nothing. If you want me to allow you to remain on the council, you will not question me in such a manner. I am neither rash nor stupid. I consider each and every decision. The shifters need reassurance right now, not only because of the death of the Red Queen, but also all the new security measures we have had their alphas implement. They are rattled. Seeing me striding around with more security than the president of America and the queen of England combined is not a great way to reassure them that everything is okay, that we have things under control.”
Before they could utter anything more, I turned and strode off. By the time I was halfway out of the long drive, Finn, Blaine, Monica, Jen, Ben, and Victor were the only ones at my side. My declaration had been heard, and my reasons found sound, since not even Calista argued with me. It was the right decision to make. I hoped so anyway.
You’re a good queen. You put your people first. Don’t question yourself. The council has served their own purposes for too long.
I ran my hand along Finn. He already had on some of his harnesses and glittery adornments. Later he’d be saddled so I could ride him for the opening ceremony. Kade would join me, his familiar Nix by his side. This was how we maintained peace during the summer festival, by showing unity between the two leaders. I tried to remember if I’d seen Kade and the Red Queen last year.
I turned to Blaine. “We missed the opening ceremony last year, right?” Jagged snippets of memory were hitting me. Calista had blasted me because I was an heir and should have been front and center.
“Yes, Selene spiked our punch. We ended up half-naked on the south side of the Island. We were lucky we didn’t drown.”