Chapter 19
“Howdy.” Beneath the water, Ryder released the Kingmaker into my fingers then reached up his free hand to offer a shake.
I hadn’t, I realized, told him anything about the Queen during my short debriefing. I mean, yes, I’d mentioned that she was evil incarnate. But the rules of polite society that evaded Ryder on earth were going to get him into much hotter water here.
Plus, there were also the tricky aspects of fae bargains and customs to consider.
“Your Majesty,” I started, hoping to undo the damage of Ryder’s forwardness with some unaccustomed kowtowing.
Only, she ignored me. Turning the full force of her personality on Ryder, she dropped her hand into his as if Ryder were a courtier who’d begged permission to kiss the royal knuckles.
He didn’t oblige. Instead—“A pleasur
