The Queen's Dance (Emerging Queens) by Jamie K. Schmidt Page B

thing he scented on the wind was alpaca shit and the faint smell of pot from a few miles away. He’d been a little short with Margery this morning, and regret ate at him—not knowing what to expect from her had him on edge. A normal Queen would have had him flogged or worse for mistreating her. Even though he didn’t know what he’d done wrong, Remy hadn’t been sure of his welcome.
    Margery confounded him by acting like nothing was wrong, although she hadn’t mentioned him being her consort again. Did that mean she’d changed her mind? It would be just his luck that he blew his one chance to be with a Queen.
    In the distance, he noted a stud flying in, quickly intercepted by Sergei, who allowed him to land after a brief discussion in the sky. Remy gritted his teeth. It was too much to hope that Casimiro would have fucked off. The strutting peacock shifted into human form and sauntered up to him.
    “How was your night, Chump?”
    “Amazing,” he drawled and was rewarded with Casimiro’s fierce scowl. The asshole didn’t have to know that he’d spent the night at the bottom of Lake Champlain with a case of blue balls.
    “You know you are just temporary.”
    Remy shrugged. He wasn’t going to play this game. “Whether I am or not, it has nothing to do with you. Or me, for that matter. Whatever the Queen decides, we will abide or be killed.”
    Casimiro frowned. “I don’t think Margery has it in her to call for our heads.”
    “She’s a Queen. She’ll learn.”
    They both looked up as the sky darkened when Reed blocked out the sun.
    “Nidhogg, he’s big,” Casimiro said.
    Remy wouldn’t want to go up against him in a fight, either.
    After a moment talking with Sergei, Reed also landed and shifted to human. Sergei remained in the air, flying cover over the farmhouse.
    “Any news?” Remy asked Reed when he joined them.
    “The investigation is in its early stages. However, I’ve received a message from Margery’s sister, Carla.”
    Casimiro looked as blank as he did.
    “She has a sister?”
    “Affirmative,” Reed said. “She would like Margery to contact her.” He handed Remy a cell phone. “She can call her with this phone. The number is programmed in already, and it’s good for one use.”
    “Isn’t that a little paranoid?”
    “Her background check came back with some colorful incidents in the past.”
    “She have a record?” Remy pocketed the phone.
    Reed nodded. “Minor larceny convictions, a blackmail scheme. It’s enough that I’d caution you to try and convince Margery to keep her sister at a distance until we can set up her court. Have you decided on a location?”
    “La Motte or Cedar Island,” Remy said.
    Casimiro snorted in disgust. “Too small.”
    “Easier to protect,” Remy gritted out. “You got a better idea?”
    “Burlington.”
    “What part?”
    “All of it,” Casimiro said.
    “Burlington isn’t a deserted island that we can claim. There are good people who have businesses and homes there.”
    “I do not care for these humans’ little lives. Have them move.”
    Remy’s hands clenched into fists. “No. This is my territory and my people. They trust me to preserve their way of life, not run roughshod all over it.”
    Casimiro shrugged. “Then perhaps Vermont isn’t the place for this Queen.”
    “What about Grand Isle Park?” Reed asked. “It’s almost twice the size of La Motte.”
    “Why not all of Grand Isle?” Casimiro asked then sighed dramatically when Remy glared at him. “Let me guess. People.” He spat out the word like one would say “cockroaches.”
    Truthfully, Remy would prefer Isle La Motte. It was remote, surrounded by water, and only had a population of five hundred people. Most of whom would be happy to accommodate a Queen’s castle or at least take a large payout to move. Which brought up an important question.
    “Who’s paying for the relocations?”
    “It’s the Queen’s court’s honor to do so,” Casimiro said with