The Ruby Kiss by Helen Scott Taylor

matched his shirt. The frock had obviously been made for a woman at least ten pounds lighter and six inches taller than she was. “This will suit you,” he said with the hopeful air of a man who hasn’t a clue about women’s clothes.
    Ruby groaned inwardly. If this was Twister’s attempt to courther, it was embarrassing. She might as well put him out of his misery.
    “I’m
not
going to become the Unseelie queen,” she announced. Her tone brooked no argument.
    Twister stiffened, and his golden gaze settled on Nightshade. “You told her?”
    “You outed him about the fangs,” Ruby retorted. “Don’t like it when the boot’s on the other foot, do you?”
    Twister’s diffident manner disappeared and his expression hardened. “You satisfied a prophecy that’s stood for centuries. You brought forth blossoms on the Blackthorn Throne. You have a duty to fulfill.”
    Ruby levered herself up on her elbow, narrowing her eyes. “If you think I’ll even have a relationship with you, let alone marry you, after the way you treated me, you’re in need of a reality check.”
    Nightshade tensed. “What did he do to you?” he demanded.
    She covered his hand with hers and shook her head. “Later,” she whispered.
    “I ordered the Whips to protect you!” Twister snapped.
    “You set the bloody Whips on Nightshade.” Ruby ran gentle fingers over Nightshade’s chest, indicating his injuries. “What the hell was that all about?”
    “You don’t understand,” Twister growled in frustration. “I need you. You’re my queen.”
    “You’re
the one who doesn’t understand.” Ruby sat up and leaned forward. “I. Said. No.”
    “Troy didn’t think Ruby was the Unseelie queen,” Nightshade chipped in.
    Twister chucked the leather dress on the floor. “Don’t mention that man’s name to me.”
    “Who’s Troy?” Ruby glanced at Nightshade. Twister was having a mini tantrum, kicking bags and boxes out of his way.
    “Devin’s father. He’s ancient and knows everything. I called for his help when Twister’s guards wouldn’t let me reach you.”
    “Oh.” She imagined a wise old guy in robes with a long gray beard.
    “Don’t you realize that becoming Unseelie queen is a good thing?” Twister asked. “No one in the Seelie Court would dare try to claim my queen, so you’d be protected without needing the blood bond.”
    A few beats of silence passed while Ruby absorbed this detail. It was a good point. Maybe she should
pretend
to be Twister’s queen so none of the Seelie tried to claim her.
    She gripped Nightshade’s hand and glanced up at him, hoping he’d see the sense in that. “What if I pretend to be the Unseelie queen when I go to see Aila?”
    Twister dropped his head and became impossibly still. For long moments he remained frozen in thought. “Very well. But you must pledge that you’ll use your power to aid anyone in the Unseelie Court I ask you to aid.”
    Ruby nodded. “
If
I keep my power, and that’s a big if, I’ll do what I can for your people before I go home.”
    Nightshade’s brows snapped down. “You don’t need to pose as his queen. I’ll fight anyone who tries to claim you.”
    “I don’t want you to get hurt.” She rubbed a soothing hand over his arm. “This seems easier and less risky.”
    His nostrils flared and his chin hitched up. “So you’ll play at being another man’s woman?”
    She should have expected his reaction, given his possessive attitude. “It’s only for the Seelie Court’s benefit. You know I’m not attracted to him.”
    Twister swore. “I assure you the feeling’s mutual, you irritating woman.”
    Ruby ignored him, far more concerned about Nightshade.
    “Very well,” Nightshade said. “But in my experience, lies like this always return to bite you on the arse.”
    * * *
    As Nightshade emerged from Ruby’s room and headed off along the corridor with the two dogs trotting at his heels, Devin peered out of his bedchamber door. After Ruby