Night Fae by Meg Xuemei X.
Chapter 4
“Seriously, chick? That’s the best you can come up with?” I asked sarcastically and winked at Brigantia, knowing perfectly well that would madden her no end. “You need to broaden your vocabulary, but I bet you probably haven’t read a single book for decades. In the mortal world, we call that kind of person TSTL—too stupid to live. Also”—I raised a pinkie toward her—“it’s not okay to slut shame other women just because they’re different than you. When a woman does that to another woman, it’s beyond tacky. It’s unacceptable. I didn’t mean to lecture you, lady, but the world has changed. So, if you want to keep up with the new era, you might want to drop your bad attitude first.”
Brigantia’s jaw dropped in shock. I was sure that that no one had ever talked to her that way in her entire life. The gasps echoing through the hall confirmed my theory. The warriors must have thought I was either too bold or very stupid to challenge the powerful Dawn Queen, but then, they didn’t know me. They didn’t know that I didn’t give two shits about any authority, let alone give a crap about the usurper who took my crown and tried to kill me on multiple occasions.
Baron roared out a deep belly laugh, and Rydstrom chuckled in dark amusement. Even Northton allowed a faint smile to touch his face, though it didn’t reach his eyes. He looked more wary than entertained.
We were supposed to provoke Brigantia, but it seemed that we were rushing the main course.
“How dare you?” Brigantia demanded, her face turning purple. “I’m the Queen of the Dawn Court, and you’ll pay me respect!”
“Never heard of you before,” I said with a shrug. “I could call myself the Queen of Spain. Who’s to contest it?”
I grinned at Baron and Rydstrom, and they gazed at me dotingly, molten heat in their eyes, even though this wasn’t the time since we were facing a deadly enemy. But then, the kings shifted and put themselves between me and my sister to shield me from her. They hadn’t forgotten where we were and who we were facing.
Northton also moved and positioned himself to cover our blindside, his hand near his open jacket, ready to pull out a spell or two and fling them at Brigantia. I’d shown him courtesy while she’d insulted him and abused his hospitality.
But I didn’t need the powerful, overprotective men to stand between my adversary and me. I was more than okay with seeing the humiliated look on the usurper queen’s livid face. I enjoyed a good laugh when I could. Besides, since no one could use offensive magic after the Silver Circle raised the ward in the hall, Brigantia would have to use either her hand or a weapon to strike me.
I was super fast when it came to pulling a dagger, as I had trained in martial arts for over a decade. My fingers twitched near Netherbane, which was sheathed against my thigh.
I wanted to bleed the bitch so badly.
Brigantia flicked her wrist to lash at me with her magic, but nothing came out. Baron and Rydstrom put up their hands instantly to counter her power, but no lethal starlight or golden sunbeam poured out of them either.
The mages’ ward and spells stood strong.
The Winter King darted his eyes between the matches as if he were a referee in a sports game, his broad shoulders tensed like piano wire. I didn’t know why he was so tense. I guess he didn’t want me to beat up his new girlfriend. If Brigantia and I went for it, I would likely win, especially when she couldn’t use her magic.
The bitch wore her red hair down to her ankles for vanity’s sake, but mine was shorter and pinned up. I’d drag her down by her hair and ram my knee into her nose. I used to be damn good at catfighting, and I knew exactly how to fight dirty.
“Kings, queen, and my lady,” Northton chimed in, caution sparkling in his gray eyes. “It seems you’ve all had some fun. How about we sit down and sort out our differences at the table, which is the purpose of today’s peace talk?” He gestured toward a boat-shaped rosewood table decorated with silver and paired with tall cushioned chairs near the full windows that had the ocean view. “My mages have prepared hors d'oeuvres that are Vancouver’s specialty.”
He turned toward the table without looking back to see who was following. Rowan strutted after him and called for Brigantia. “Queen Brigantia, shall we?”
She slanted him a sultry glance before taking his arm, and they went ahead. Baron placed himself between Brigantia and me, and Rydstrom brought up the rear.
Brigantia’s three guards moved toward us, trying to join their queen, but the dark honey-haired older mage who had stopped them earlier stepped up again and intercepted the Dawn goons.
“The table is for the leaders only,” he said sternly. “Please follow protocol or leave.”
“That little girl is not a leader!” the beefiest Dawn knight sneered, his impolite finger pointing at me.
“Lady Evelina is a leading force vouched for by two Fae kings,” the older mage said. “And thus, Lady Evelina will join the peace talk at the table unless the Director of Silver Circle says otherwise. Back off, Dawn knights. I won’t repeat myself again.”
The Dawn minions seemed to want to argue more and push the matter. The mages in the room shifted in their posts. Some of them moved their hands to the hilts of their swords, ready to implement the order.
Brigantia turned her head toward the confrontation and gave the older mage a death glare before she waved for her lackeys to pull back. It was obvious that the usurper queen and her minions weren’t going to make anything easy.
The Director of the Silver Circle waited at the head of the table as if watching us stroll through a park.
“Kings, queen, and my lady, shall we start the peace talk?” he asked in his cool, positive, and powerful voice.
“Things are going to get more interesting,” someone murmured.
