Shalador's Lady

human body when he got pissed off.
    “Let’s take a look at the village,” Daemon said.
    It was a small, healthy village, prosperous enough to take care of itself and the people within its boundaries.
    Daemon noted the way that the males who were simply going about their business went on alert at the sight of strangers—and relaxed when they realized the strangers were with him. He noted how the village guards came trotting past to get a look at the strangers despite Gray and Ranon being with him.
    “Does this village often see trouble?” Ranon asked when Gray stopped at a bookshop window and stared at the display, damn near vibrating with excitement.
    “No,” Daemon replied. “Considering its proximity to the Hall, if trouble starts here and the Queen’s court can’t handle it, I will.”
    “But all the males are ready to defend.”
    “It is our nature, Ranon.”
    The shop door opened and Sylvia walked out. She wore a sleeveless shirt tucked into a pair of knee-length trousers and sandals. Her short black hair looked deliberately mussed enough to be called sassy, and there wasn’t a single thing besides her psychic scent that would give anyone a clue that she was the Queen of Halaway.
    Daemon moved to join Gray, who had turned away from the window and given Sylvia a quick, assessing look before smiling brightly.
    “Good afternoon, Lady,” Gray said.
    Sylvia narrowed her gold eyes. “You look familiar, but not.”
    “May I introduce Prince Jared Blaed Grayhaven and Prince Ranon,” Daemon said. “They’re here visiting from Dena Nehele. Gentlemen, this is Lady Sylvia.”
    Gray frowned at him. “You didn’t introduce her as a Queen.”
    Proof enough that Gray was far more perceptive than his cousin when it came to recognizing caste.
    He glanced at Sylvia, who gave him a tiny nod. “You’re right. I didn’t. Lady Sylvia rules Halaway and prefers to be informal in her home village unless formality is required.”
    Gray beamed at Sylvia. “That’s the way Cassie wants things to be in Eyota. The Shaladorans are pretty comfortable with that because they’re used to their Queens living among them, so I think she’s happier living where we do now than she was when we were in Grayhaven.”
    Hell’s fire, Daemon thought as he looked at Sylvia’s slightly stunned expression and swallowed the urge to laugh. The earnest young Warlord Prince who had asked him for a loan had changed into a two-legged puppy.
    “I met someone else named Grayhaven recently,” Sylvia said.
    “Jared Blaed and Theran are cousins,” Daemon said.
    Sylvia’s smile had sharp edges. “And how is Theran getting along with Vae?”
    “Oh, Vae lives with Cassie and me now,” Gray said. “So does Khollie, but that’s because Ranon and Shira live in the Queen’s Residence with us.”
    “Well, that must make story time easier for all of you, since the humans can take turns.”
    “Story time?”
    Ah, no, Sylvia, Daemon thought. But he wasn’t going to stop her.
    “You don’t know about story time?” Sylvia asked, widening her eyes. When Gray shook his head, she opened the bookshop door and called to someone inside. “Do you have any copies of Unicorn to the Rescue or Sceltie Saves the Day ?” She turned back to Gray. “How many Scelties live with you?”
    “There are thirteen in our village,” Gray said, looking back at Daemon.
    Finally figured out something is going on, haven’t you, boyo? Of course, it was much too late to do anything about it, but it was always good for a man to recognize when he was in trouble.
    “What?” Sylvia leaned into the shop, then back out. “Oh, good. They also have a couple of copies of Dragon and the Dangerous Deed. ”
    “I don’t think . . .” Ranon began.
    “A gift,” Sylvia said. “Enjoy your visit, gentlemen. Prince Sadi.”
    Daemon watched her hurry away and duck into a shop a couple of doors down from the bookshop. He huffed out a breath. “While we’re in the shop, there are a few other books you might find entertaining.” The Tracker and Shadow books were adventures or mysteries for most readers, but anyone who dealt with a Sceltie also found them instructional.
    “She was laughing when she went into that other shop,” Gray said as Daemon led the two men into the bookshop. “Why was she laughing?”
    “Once you show those books to any Sceltie, you’ll understand,” Daemon replied dryly. And may the Darkness have mercy on you.
    He let them look around while