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WELL…HE TRIED?
“What’s a beautiful woman like you doing sitting all by your lonesome in a place like this?”
Leila looked up from her laptop at the young male standing before her. He looked a little bit older than her but not by much, maybe…twenty-seven, twenty-eight years old by her best estimate. He was dressed and groomed well enough, though his cologne was a little strong. At least he was trying, she thought. Kind of.
Currently, she was alone and seated on a couch in a side room of a café. The young man was human and obviously had no idea who she was. Not surprising, really. Most humans didn’t keep up to date on supernatural politics, and since they weren’t in Magiford, there was no reason for him to know her.
“I’m not here by my lonesome, actually.” Leila kindly explained, figuring it was best to redirect the young man before he bothered pursuing her further. “My husband is in the other room, getting me a coffee, and my friend is down the street grabbing us some snacks from one of the local bakeries. They’ll be back any moment, but thank you for your concern.”
She turned back to her laptop. Very few people even knew they were in town yet and she was all too happy to keep it that way.
Leila and Rigel were traveling to visit the various fae regions. Although their host court had tried to have coffee available for her…it was more like lightly sweated bean water. Leila had asked, or rather begged, pleaded, and cajoled Rigel to let her go to an actual shop. She didn’t want to insult their well-intentioned hosts so they couldn’t order in, she’d argued. Rigel hadn’t cared about that part, but Indigo had found the “Bean Scene Café” online, famous for a passionfruit coffee concoction and some kind of cardamom latte. Leila insisted she had to try at least something regional after all their travel, and Rigel finally gave in.
She waved at her security guard who walked into the room —Frances today—to show she was all right. Frances, arriving after parking the car, nodded and took a seat at a table along the wall. He pulled out a book to read but kept watch.
“Husband, eh?” The young man continued. “I don’t see a—ah, yes. I see it now. You do have a ring.” He conceded sulkily when Leila lifted her hand for him. Almost comically, he tilted his head and actually reached out as if to take her hand for a closer look.
Leila raised her eyebrows but dropped her hand and leaned back. Her admirer frowned but stopped his advance. Over his shoulder, Leila saw Frances start to stand. She shook her head and motioned for him to stay put. The last thing they needed was for someone to post a video about a youthful playboy getting thrown out of the shop by a fae, especially with her or Rigel in the background. If nothing else, this man would certainly run off as soon as Rigel got back, and knowing her faebae’s hearing, that would only be another minute or two at best.
Unfortunately, the young man thought Leila was encouraging him to take a seat, so he sat down across from her with a grin. Leila sighed and pursed her lips.
“Listen, I– “
“Max,” he said, flashing her another grin.
Leila smiled politely “Max then. I am perfectly happy with my husband and I’m not looking for anyone else in my life. I’d suggest you try looking for some other single ladies, if you are so inclined.”
“If you were happy, then you wouldn’t have asked me to sit down.” Max pointed out.
“That was a misunderstanding,” Leila responded firmly. “I actually– “
“So, what does he do?” Max interrupted, casually looking behind him just in case. Seeing only Frances, who was busy pretending to be reading a book, he turned back around. Max nodded at her ring. “Are you sure that stone is even real? I don’t mean to be rude, but it looks kind of cheap from here.”
Leila was sure the comment was supposed to invite his inspection somehow. Instead, she laughed. Max looked confused but he recovered and tried to smile along with her.
“You would be making the wrong person mad with that one.” She chortled, wiping at her eye.
“Really?” he asked, still confused. He kept plowing on. “I can take a look at it if you like. I’m kind of an expert at assessing fake gems. If nothing else, you should know if he’s too lazy to find you a proper ring…” he shrugged with an overly dramatic grimace.
“I’m good, thanks. My husband didn’t pick out the rings.” Leila said, still chuckling to herself. She looked back at her laptop and clicked a few buttons to pull up some reports she had wanted to look through today.
Sensing he was losing her attention, Max cut back in. “Even worse,” he said, his voice just a little bit louder than before. “There’s nothing worse than a man who can’t make time for the little things.” He pressed on.
Leila chuckled again. Skye had actually picked out the royal rings and had one bear of a time given Leila’s refusal to spend money on the outdated, ridiculous requirement that she get married. Rigel hadn’t cared about it then either, so they had used rings from the treasury for the ceremony, but ordered cheaper, basic rings for everyday wear.
The young man ran a hand through his hair and gave her a bit of a frown, clearly unable to place the source of her amusement. “Listen. I’ll be frank,” he said.
“Oh, I hope you won’t be, Max.” Leila told him. “If I were you, I’d walk away now. My husband is going to be back any moment and he will not take kindly to your advances, nor do I, honestly. You seem…” she tried to think of a polite way to put this impolite admirer off, “…earnest, but I’m not interested. Thank you.”
The young man started rolling his eyes but stopped himself and gave her what he probably thought was his most dazzling grin. “Listen, I think you’re beautiful, and I think we could have a good time together. I can treat you right for as little or as long as you like. I don’t know what it is that draws you to someone who obviously doesn’t appreciate you the way he should–“
“My husband appreciates me just fine.” Leila interrupted. Her voice was more clipped now, which keyed Frances into her growing irritation. He stood again and Leila shook her head and waved her hand once more. She’d forgotten how insistent young men could be sometimes but she was still hoping to turn him away verbally.
“Not if he’s letting you walk around with that,” Max gestured to her hand. “Sitting by yourself in a café. What are you waving at?”
“My security guard, telling him not to collar you, though at this point,” Leila furrowed her own eyebrows, “that might be the smartest thing for your own safety.” The security guards were primarily there for her safety, but secretly, Leila was glad they handled people so Rigel didn’t have to.
“Security Guard?” the young man blinked, surprised, before openly rolling his eyes. He snorted. “Money. That explains it. Your husband then, he’s your sugar daddy? Or are you some trust fund baby’s wife?”
Frances looked mad on her behalf, but he stayed in place at her insistence. Leila felt the brush of fae magic from the other room near the approximate location of the coffee counter, however, and knew Rigel was getting very irritated. He must be getting ready to do something.
“Oh, Rigel. Just don’t kill him.” Leila whispered under her breath, trusting her faebae’s ears would catch it.
“I’m afraid I have to ask you to leave now. Please enjoy your evening elsewhere.” She told Max as she sat back to resume working on her laptop. She hoped ignoring him would make him leave. Her hubby wasn’t even going to last another minute at this rate.
Instead, the young man pulled a card from his wallet and pushed it over to her on the table. “Whatever. In case you change your mind and want a little fun on the side, I can be discreet.” He winked at her.
She kept her eyes trained on her laptop. Max responded by ducking down, trying to catch her eyes. “Or I could put it in your phone for you if you like.”
When she didn’t respond, he tried again. “Or I’m happy to take your phone number if you like. I can dial myself if that makes it easier.” He wiggled the card still resting on the table. “Then it doesn’t matter if you ‘lose’ this.”
“Because that’s not creepy.” Leila snorted. “You are not good at taking no for an answer, are you? Unfortunately, it’s the only answer you are going to get.” She shook her head again and continued to focus on her work.
“Persistence is key.” Max said, his finger still on the card Leila had refused to take. When Leila made no move to reach for it, he looked around, lifted it off the table, and rested it on her knee.
Leila finally looked up at the young man who was stupidly grinning. “You have two seconds to get away from me, or your life will be in imminent danger.” She told him plainly.
Her security guard stood up and this time Leila didn’t wave him off. He was at her side in an instant.
“From the security guard?” Max asked arrogantly, raising his eyebrows.
“No. From me,” asserted a deep voice directly behind Max.
Max startled at the sound. He jumped to his feet and turned around, then paled noticeably as he watched Rigel step out of his shadow on the couch behind him. Somehow, because it was Rigel, he managed to smoothly step from the couch shadow to the café floor. Rigel’s eyes shifted to Leila as if to appraise her condition. Leila gave him a bemused look but said nothing.
He walked around the table and extended one coffee cup down to her. “There was a delay with the machine. It required cleaning, and I know you do not like grounds in your coffee, Leila.” Rigel said, eyeing Max from where he stood.
Deciding Max was not a threat, Rigel sat down casually beside his wife and put an arm around her shoulder. His eyes flicked from Max to the security guard who now stood beside the young human. Frances straightened and took the hint.
“Shall I see him out, your majesties?” Frances bowed to the royal couple. He was wearing regular clothes at Leila’s insistence to “blend in” but had her pigeon-raccoon-griffin seal embroidered onto the pocket on his shirt.
“Yes,” Rigel said. “But he will need this first.”
Rigel turned and retrieved the card from Leila’s knee, handing it to the security guard, who handed it back to Max. Max accepted the card, dumbfounded.
“Your majesty?” Max asked, bewildered. “What is he, some kind of Prince?”
“King, actually.” The guard explained. “Queen Leila and King Rigel, of the American Night Court.” Frances gestured to them where they were seated.
“You’re fae!” Max finally realized with a gasp. “But you don’t have–“ he struggled as he looked between Rigel’s pointed ears and Leila’s rounded ones.
“I don’t have Rigel’s impeccable physique, no.” Leila grinned, flattering her husband. “Nor his patience, or his witty humor, or-“
“So, you married a fae prince to be a princess?” Max asked, both interrupting Leila and completely skipping over their given titles.
Rigel’s silence deepened as he stilled, almost certainly irritated on her behalf, and Leila put a hand on his knee as she sipped her coffee.
“You have it backward,” Rigel said. His eyes shifted to Leila, who was hiding her smile behind a sip from her coffee cup. “I married her and became a King. Leila has all the power. She is the true royal.” Rigel said. Max just gawked at them.
“Ooh, does that mean I am your ‘sugar momma’ then?” Leila teased him. Rigel brushed her shoulder with his thumb as she chuckled.
“No. The Night Court is insolvent, Leila. If anything, I’m floating you with my taxes.”
Leila groaned. “That’s fair. Thank you for my coffee, by the way.”
She leaned over to kiss his cheek, but Rigel turned his head, capturing her lips. Leila was surprised but didn’t resist. The kiss wasn’t long but it still made her feel warm and fuzzy and made her toes curl. She leaned her forehead against Rigel’s when they were done, and the security guard coughed where he stood.
Leila sat up and blushed but Rigel turned back to the pair before them without issue. Leila took another sip of her coffee and got back to working on her laptop.
“Have a good evening, Max.” Rigel said dismissively. Frances bowed again and gestured Max toward the connecting doorway leading to the main room.
“But–“ Max began.
“Silence, boy. Do you have a death wish?” Frances hissed as he shooed him away. Max still looked stunned but was successfully herded toward the doorway.
Indigo walked in just as Max was being led out.
“I’m finally back! You wouldn’t believe the line at the bakery, but they told me the brownies were to die for.” Indigo sniggered. “I may have made one or two jokes…but look! They also had these cute little turtle roll things, and I knew you would love them…Queen Leila.”
Indigo paused as she saw Max and the security guard approaching. She held her bags in close and stepped to the side, giving them room to pass.
“What did he do?” Indigo whispered with curious eyes as she brought the baked goods over.
“Nothing interesting, but he had to go. Luckily, Frances was here so Rigel didn’t have to kill him. He was actually very good about holding his temper.” Leila said, sipping more of her coffee and teasing her ruffled husband. Rigel didn’t offer any further information so Indigo just pulled the snack offerings from the bags she carried and set them on the table before them.
Indigo held her questions until the security guard returned. “Frances, what happened?” she hissed conspiratorially as the security guard went to resume his prior seat.
“Attempted romantic pursuit of Queen Leila. Didn’t work.” The guard offered succinctly, taking his seat.
Indigo gasped. “And Rigel didn’t kill him?”
Leila rolled her eyes but grinned. “Rigel was very well-behaved. He only absolutely terrified him.”
“I barely spoke to him,” Rigel said, rubbing Leila’s shoulder with his fingertips.
“That’s not a contradiction,” Leila observed. Rigel didn’t move but the proud tilt to his shoulders and the light in his eyes betrayed how pleased he was at the conclusion of the ordeal. Leila shook her head, content to let him be happily chuffed about his intimidation work. She withheld her comment about the wonderfully dramatic nature of his entrance since he was in such a good mood.
Indigo looked between the royal couple. She retrieved two of the brownies and one of the turtle rolls before moving to sit with Frances. The security guard grinned at the offering and was only too happy to fill Indigo in on the details through hushed whispers.
“Why didn’t you have Frances remove him?” Rigel asked, looking at Leila’s laptop screen as she shifted programs. He opted to ignore their aides.
“Because he was human and an idiot and I didn’t want to alert anyone that we were here, though I suppose that has now failed.” Leila told him as she clicked around the screen to open another file. “And I knew you would be back any minute if necessary. My hero.”
Rigel’s thumb rubbed her arm and Leila rested her head on his shoulder. She sighed. “It is a shame that guys back off more when they see another guy, instead of just listening when a woman says no. What a jerk. I’ve not had that much trouble putting off a guy since college.”
“Did this happen often when you were in college?” Rigel asked genuinely.
Leila looked at him like he was missing an obvious answer and he frowned. He let it go.
“Do you want a new ring?” he asked instead, using his free hand to lift hers. “You are broke, but I can afford it if you do.” He teased her.
Leila rolled her eyes. “I am fine with mine. The only rings I want from you are cardboard coffee sleeves, and you are excellent at remembering those. I have been thinking though—we should get you one of those titanium rings. They’re gray, which I know you like, and they are supposed to be unbreakable. Given all the fights you get in…”
“I like my ring.” Rigel said. “I’ve grown attached to it.”
Leila leaned her head over and spied it on his finger. “You can still keep it, of course. Wear it at home. I noticed you are wearing it more lately.”
“I’ve been wearing it more for months, Leila.” Rigel corrected and Leila grinned.
“Aww. I love you too, Rigel.”
Since their only “audience” were Indigo and the security guard, Rigel rested his hand on Leila’s cheek to draw her in. He kissed her thoroughly, lingering, taking his time with her. Leila was once again surprised but did not object. By the time he was finished, she had practically melted against him. He chuckled and waited for her brain to catch up.
“I love you, Leila…even if you like to drive me crazy sometimes.” He gently ran his thumb along her cheekbone.
“I had no interest in Frank,” Leila mumbled, still dizzy from the kiss.
“Max.” Rigel corrected.
“Whatever his name was.” Leila was still getting her senses about her, and Rigel chuckled again.
Leila finally sat up. She cleared her throat and the flush he knew was coming crept across her face as she avoided Indigo and Frances’s eyes. Rigel opted not to tell her that Indigo had snapped another picture of them while they had been kissing, and Frances had taken one just after.
“Max never had a chance,” Leila assured him, trying to get back into her report.
“I know.” He told her, lifting a lock of her hair and letting it fall through his fingers as Leila got settled again with her laptop. He didn’t miss that she clicked the same menu three times in her distraction. “I trust you.”
*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*
Indigo and Frances would never tell Rigel or Leila, but the two servants were themselves ecstatically happy. The companion and guard chatted quietly, fading themselves into the background as they observed their monarchs having coffee. Rigel delighted in subtly teasing Leila, who volleyed between trying to be diligent and returning his antics in kind…if a bit more obviously. After about half an hour, Leila gave in to his distractions, and the laptop was shut off. About half an hour after that, she pulled her feet up onto the couch to snuggle against him as they talked. The Night King seemed perfectly pleased to let Leila lay all over him as she chattered about the things she liked or didn’t care for on the trip so far.
If you’d asked them three years ago, neither would have guessed that their queen slept most peacefully when stretched out on her one-time assassin. No one would have dared guess the Wraith would speak gently to a half-fae while she was dreaming. In their minds, Leila had already accomplished the impossible, and they could hardly wait to see what she could do as Empress.
[Epilogue: Later that night as the café is winding down, Rigel directs Frances to get the car. Indigo helps to get their tired Queen up.]
Rigel: You need to at least walk outside the door, Leila.
Leila: *Sleepily, yawning.* No. Why?
Rigel: So people know I’m not trying to kidnap you.
Leila: Well, that’s easy. I give you permission to kidnap me, Rigel.
Rigel sighs.
Indigo: I’m not sure that’s how that works, my Sovereign.
Rigel: If you make it outside, then I’ll carry you.
Leila: Can’t we just call the night mares to portal us to bed?
Rigel: *Thinks about that.* We could call the night mares.
Indigo: We cannot call the night mares. Frances went to get the car.
Rigel: …We could call the night mares.
Indigo: …
Rigel: *Looking flatly at Indigo.*
Indigo: I expect this to be reflected in our holiday bonuses.
Rigel: *Nods and sends a text message. In short order, a portal is built in the middle of the shop, and he easily lifts Leila and carries her through.*
Indigo: *Pulls out her own phone.* Frances. You’re never going to believe this. About the lovebirds…how do you feel about taking a break instead to get some tacos?