“Kendra Sorenson!” he greeted grandly. “How charming to see you again!”
“Hello,” Kendra said, fighting to keep her voice steady.
“What have we here?” the Giant Queen asked with a delighted clap. “Am I to understand you two are acquainted? My prince is so shrouded in mystery.”
“Many women have sought my attention over the years,” Ronodin said. He raised his eyes to meet the queen’s gaze. “I have sought only one.”
Kendra’s head swam at his audacity. She hardly knew what to say.
“Tell me, how is your family?” Ronodin inquired politely.
Kendra knew she should have the advantage. She could expose him at her whim! Ronodin was operating under a false identity and undoubtedly up to no good. But the dark unicorn was keeping her off-balance. Shouldn’t he be worried about what she might say?
“My family is well, though the war places a strain on everyone,” Kendra said.
“Almost everyone,” Ronodin corrected with a glance at the Giant Queen. “There are those with presence enough to rise above such disputes.”
The Giant Queen’s eyes shone as she relished the praise. She turned her attention to Kendra. “Little one, you have found the greatest oasis in the world. You need only visit my highest battlement to behold safety and prosperity as far as the eye can see.”
“You are truly fortunate to be here,” Ronodin told Kendra, sipping from a goblet. “But how have you been? I am curious to hear all your news.”
“You’ve always taken such an interest in my family,” Kendra said.
“Why not?” the Giant Queen said. “He is enamored by news of all variety.”
“You know me well,” Ronodin said with a gallant bow. “And yet news comes and goes. Only you hold my prolonged attention.”
“You flatter me,” the Giant Queen said.
“Is it flattery if I proceed to while away my hours at your side?” Ronodin asked.
“You have done so on many occasions,” the Giant Queen said warmly.
“I live to enjoy you,” Ronodin said.
“You are awed by my scale, like all who encounter me,” the Giant Queen said.
“Your size is but one facet of a perfect jewel,” Ronodin professed. “Deeper examination endlessly yields more to admire.”
“Enough,” the Giant Queen declared with a satisfied smile. “There are children present.” She gave a pointed glance at Kendra. “Go babysit my guest while I attend to royal affairs.”
Ronodin bowed deeply. “I am yours to command,” he vowed.
“Dectus, you may take the pint-sized prince away,” the Giant Queen said. “Be careful with him. He is precious.”
“Perhaps he should be careful of me,” Ronodin said with bravado. “I can be a lot to handle.”
The Giant Queen snickered delightedly. “My feisty prince.”
Ronodin strode forward and kissed the queen’s ring with a bow. Dectus approached and let Ronodin leap onto the palm of his hand. “My regular parlor would be preferred,” Ronodin directed crisply.
“We will go there at once,” Dectus said.
The giant exited the audience chamber, passed through a corridor full of mirrors, and set Ronodin down beside a human-sized door. Kendra gripped the arms of her chair as Dectus took the chain from around his neck, rocking her cage. He set the container on the floor and opened the door.
Ronodin extended his hand to help her step out, but Kendra ignored it. He looked dashing in his perfectly tailored outfit, but his good looks did nothing to charm her.
“I will place a servant outside the door should you require anything, Kendra,” Dectus said.
“Thank you,” Kendra replied.
Ronodin opened the door, and Kendra entered a lavishly appointed parlor that could have comfortably seated ten. After closing the door, Ronodin plopped down on a sofa and put his feet up on a low table with an air of casual ownership.
“Prince Doranio?” Kendra asked flatly.
“Not a perfect anagram of my real name,” Ronodin said. “But I like the ring of it.”
“Will we be overheard in here?” Kendra asked.
“A prudent question in this fortress,” Ronodin said. “I have taken measures to make this parlor secure, so long as we do not raise our voices.”
“How much time do you spend here, flirting with her majesty?” Kendra asked.
“Enough,” Ronodin said. “You know the servants are all dragons.” He pantomimed a choker around his neck.
“Thanks for the obvious,” Kendra said. “What’s your game here, Ronodin?”
“I’ve always gravitated to the highest circles,” Ronodin said.
“Only to disrupt them,” Kendra said. “You look absurd romancing her.”
“Ours is primarily a love affair of words,” Ronodin said. “I have kissed her hand on occasion.”
“She giggles like a schoolgirl around you,” Kendra said.
Ronodin winked. “They don’t call me the giant killer for nothing. The bigger they are . . .”
Kendra rolled her eyes. “Who are you working with? Celebrant?”
“I have allies everywhere,” Ronodin said. “I build bridges, Kendra. And if I burn one, I repair it.”
“You were a crow the last time I saw you,” Kendra said.
“After butting heads with your boyfriend,” Ronodin said.
“My boyfriend?” Kendra asked.
“Bracken has never taken any girl to meet his parents,” Ronodin said.
Kendra felt her face grow hot. “I needed to return something.”
“I know my cousin,” Ronodin said. “He has it bad for you.”
Kendra had done her best to bury her feelings for Bracken, but she secretly wanted Ronodin to be right. “How do you know he took me to the Fairy Realm?”
“Little escapes my notice,” Ronodin said. “Beings from the magical realm have romanced mortals. Ask Patton. It’s unconventional, it requires sacrifice, but it can be done.” Ronodin dropped his feet to the floor and leaned forward. “How did it feel to wear the Fairy Queen’s crown?”
Kendra hesitated to answer.
Ronodin closed his eyes. “It must have been an exquisite rush.”
“I didn’t keep it very long,” Kendra said.
Ronodin opened his eyes. “Just long enough to accomplish your purposes. How did you squander such an opportunity? You realize that with the crown on, by definition, you were the Fairy Queen?”
“I wasn’t after her job,” Kendra said.
Ronodin shook his head. “You and I are very different. That crown would have
