“Uh, not that I know of,” I managed. “You’d remember if we had,” Trick said, holding up his champagne glass for a refill. “Would she?” Maven teased. “You would know,” Eclipse said in a sickenly sweet voice. My heart fell. “Your speculation on my previous relationship with Trick is gross, not to mention unfair to Saraya. If you have something to say, address it with me. This passive aggressive pettiness is unbecoming of someone of your rank, even if that someone is you.” Eclipse opened her mouth to say something but she stopped, her jaw open. “Eclipse, I highly recommend that you think very carefully before you say anything else the rest of the evening,” Trick cautioned, leaning back in his chair with his glass. “You have proven to be a competent minister. It would be a shame to be replaced, unable to fulfill your father’s dying wish. Have I made myself clear?” Her eyes darted to Trick and I realized that she sat there paralyzed. “Good.” The next instant her j

I rubbed my sweaty palms on my leggings and stepped out of my room. Jules and Lucy looked relieved to see me.“You didn’t need to check on me,” I told them. “I appreciate it, though.”“Well things were pretty intense and that group is not exactly easy,” Lucy said understandingly. “Jules and I remember meeting them for the first time.” Jules nodded.“It was horrible. The only saving grace for me was no one said anything bigoted. If they had, I would’ve just been done,” Jules remembered. “Thankfully, Risk scares most of them and the ones he doesn’t scare don’t care.”“Does Trick care?” I asked. I already had an oppressive mother, I couldn’t stand it if my husband was the same way.“Nope. He gave me away at our wedding.” A tender smile crossed Jules’ face. “My parents refused to attend, so he declared he was my father for the day. It was perfect.” My heart burst with pride. And relief. “I’m glad. I may need a set of substitute parents for my wedding.” Jules and L

After living through Bishop’s morning schedule for me, I could see why Trick always hired him back. The man was like a machine, never deviating from the task at hand, a clear plotted course for each action, and always ready with a reason why we couldn’t take a break to have a snack or a shot of tequila. By the time I was allowed to make my way to Lucy’s and have lunch with her, Jules, and Kyla, I was ready to forsake Trick and run back to the bookstore. Then Bishop brought me a giant toasted club sandwich with extra bacon and a side of potato soup (heavy on the bacon) and all was forgiven. When he sat down a vodka spritzer, I almost kissed him. “Rough morning?” Jules commented, watching me drain the entire drink. Bishop whisked the empty glass away and set down a replacement beverage.“Did you know that I have to invite the queens of each realm to monthly lunches for the rest of my life? And then attend them in each of the realms? Every month. In every realm. Also, there’s an entire