A dark aura outlined Scarlette and me. Shadows poured in, and the both of us faded from the citadel.
We reappeared at the edges of the market street. Fairies of all kinds greeted us as we walked.
"Good evening, Your Majesties," a Love Fairy bowed in surprise.
"Your Majesties, good to see you," a group of Light Fairies curtsied.
"My King and my Queen. My pleasure." A Dark Fairy placed a hand over his heart and bowed low.
"Thank you, please rise. We're just walking around," Scarlette replied with a gentle nod.
But I was already moving toward Lumera and Devran.
Devran's eyes widened in disbelief when he saw us approaching.
"Your Majesties," he greeted, bowing. "To what do I owe the pleasure?"
I wanted to confront him about the Midnight Orchids, but it wasn't like he'd confess. Not to me. Not when I was the one who banned them. It was important—but not urgent. There were bigger moves to make tonight.
So I pivoted.
