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He drops a large waxy leaf on the table. “Solstice invite—the third one they’ve sent, for the record.” He crinkles his nose. “Ugh, what’s that smell?” he says, grimacing at the plates of Indian food scattered across the table.

Did he just scorn my dinner?

Des leans back in his seat, crossing his arms over his chest. “We’re not going to Solstice this year.”

Malaki takes a seat, a plate and place settings appearing in front of him. A moment later he reaches for the tray of samosas.

“Really?” I say derisively to him, raising my eyebrows. He hated on my dinner, and now he’s about to eat it. “That’s how you’re going to play this?”

He gives me a confused look as he adds the samosa to his plate. Turning his attention to Des, Malaki says, “That’s a really bad idea.”

Des lifts a shoulder. “Last time Callie visited another kingdom, she was someone’s prisoner.”

“And then you killed that kingdom’s king,” Malaki says smoothly. “I think everyone knows not to fuck with your mate.”

“We’re not going,” Des repeats.

“Being a mate does not mean you stop being a king.”

“Careful.” Des’s words cut through the room like a whip, his power riding them.

Malaki sits back in his seat, bowing his head. “Apologies, my king.”

The Bargainer’s body seems to ease, and the power that thickened the air moments ago now recedes.

“Loi du royaume,” Des says quietly.

Malaki mouth goes grim. “I know.”

I glance between the two men. So far, I’ve been somewhat able to follow the conversation, but now they lost me.

“What’s that?” I ask. “That phrase you just said.”

Des nods to his friend. “Tell her, Malaki. If she’s to go and subject herself to Solstice because you think it’s a good idea, then you tell her what she’s going to have to sacrifice.”

Malaki sighs then turns his attention to me. “You know the human saying, ‘When in Rome do as the Romans do’?”

I squint at him. “You actually know that phrase?” He doesn’t strike me as the kind of fairy who hangs out on earth.

“Do you know it?” he presses.

Looking from him to Des, I hesitantly nod.

“That’s the law here in the Otherworld.”

I’m still not following.

“When in the Night Kingdom,” Malaki explains, “a fairy must follow their laws. Des here doesn’t want you to leave the Night Kingdom because you’ll both be subject to another fae kingdom’s laws.”

“That’s pretty much how it works on earth,” I say, confused as to why this is an issue.

“The Flora Kingdom enslaves humans,” Des cuts in.

Ah. And therein lies the true probl—

BOOM!

The room shakes as a wave of magic washes over us, throwing me back into my seat. Our plates and utensils rattle on the table, a few falling off the edge and crashing to the floor. In the distance, I hear muffled gasps.