I’m almost positive that information is not common knowledge. I certainly didn’t know it.
“Again, thank you.” He nods and turns to leave, but not before snatching up a penguin and a tiger marshmallow. “You know what else would look cool as a marshmallow? Dragons and wolves.” He gives me a wink and leaves, shoving the penguin into his mouth.
I gape at the now empty kitchen and nervously brush my hands over my apron, heaving out a breath of air. Now that theyare gone, my nerves catch up with me, and I shakily lean against the prep table. They were fucking intimidating. Luckily for me, the child was able to tell them I wasn’t involved in any of it, and they believed him. What did they call him? Prince Archer? Holy fuck, I had one of the royal kids in my kitchen. I’m probably lucky I’m not dead.
I’m still trying to swallow my nausea when Olivia sticks her head in and looks around. “Are they gone?” she asks nervously, and I glare at her.
“You knew they were here, and you left me alone with them?”
She shrugs sheepishly. “Yeah, sorry, but shifters scare the shit out of me.”
I frown at her words. I’m sure I asked her about her feelings regarding shifters when I hired her. I can’t have anyone working here who can’t tolerate either species. She must see my look, because she quickly shakes her head.
“Oh no, I don’t hate them or anything, but I could practically feel the menace flowing off those two and didn’t want their attention on me. They were fucking scary dudes. Hot though. I peeked through when I heard voices, and they were some fine man meat.” She chuckles, and I lose my annoyance. “I don’t know how you stood there and looked them in the eye. I was virtually shaking in my boots.”
I think about my reaction. Sure, they were intimidating, but I didn’t feel any fear or menace. All I felt was their curiosity and suspicion, which turned to worry and relief when they saw the cub. Even when they were growling, I felt nervous but not terror.
“Oh well, hopefully that’s the last of that,” I tell her as the door chimes as another customer enters the store. “I’ll finish up here and get the marshmallows into the display cabinet, then I’ll clean up and help you with the breakfast rush.”
“Sure thing, boss.” She salutes me and goes out to serve, her friendly demeanor firmly back in place. It’s one of the reasons Ihired her. She always has a smile on her face and is really good with our customers. My other employee, Justin, isn’t as good with the customers, but he makes a mean sandwich and is a whizz with the coffee machine.
He comes in a little later, closer to lunch when his skills are more in demand. For breakfast, we offer savory muffins and quiches, which we prepared last night, and bagels, which I bake twice a week. Thankfully that was yesterday morning’s job, so I don’t have to bake any this morning. They are all ready to go with a variety of smears on offer. It means we have a good flow of customers for breakfast, and it doesn’t require a lot of work on my part except to fry up some bacon and eggs if people want a fresh bacon and egg bagel.
We aren’t run off our feet this morning, and I have time to put the lunch rolls in the oven so they are ready in time. If I decide to add the marshmallows to my menu permanently, I’m probably going to hire someone else. It’s a lot of work and gives me little time for the rest of the prep work. Thankfully, I thought ahead last night and prepared batches of muffin and cupcake batter that only needed to have the wet ingredients added, mixed, and then put into the oven this morning. I’ll do the same this afternoon as well. It’s going to be a long week, but hopefully it brings new customers into the bakery.
Chapter
Three
Brodie
We don’t mess around once we have Archer secured. Hunter sets a fast pace toward our borders. Once we enter the forest that delineates the neutral zone from shifter grounds, he shifts, and I help Archie onto his back before climbing up behind him. Normally I would shift and run by myself, but I want to be here to make sure Archie doesn’t fall.
Hunter flaps his giant wings, and we take to the air, Archie whooping with pure joy. I smile at the kid’s reaction as the wind whips past us. Hunter’s speed is unparalleled in the air. Archie always begs Hunter to take him flying every time we visit the castle, but his overprotective mother always says no. She’s not here now, though, and I’m sure she will forgive us when we return her son to her safe and sound. Flying on the back of a dragon will be overshadowed by the worrying fact that he was kidnapped.
Archie is the grandson of the current king and queens. They have three children themselves, and Archie is Princess Gracelin’s son. Neither of the other royal children have found mates yet despite the mounting pressure from their parents.
Archie is lucky,Hunter’s voice rumbles in my mind.He could have disappeared without a trace like the other three children who are still missing. Someone is obviously targeting shifter children, but to go after the king’s own grandson is bold.
We suspected the witches were taking our children. They are the closest, and the vamps and fae are too far away. The other logical conclusion is a human. But why?I muse, my grip on Archie tightening with my worry. Thankfully he doesn’t notice, just stretches his arms wide to pretend that he’s flying.
I’m sure it means nothing good. It also bodes badly for shifter-witch relations, and goddess help the humans if it’s them.
It’s a terrible time for it. On the full moon, the new king or queen will be selected, and they are walking into a shit storm of epic proportions.
Do you think the timing is deliberate?he asks.
Without a doubt. What better time to stir up trouble when the shifter species is in a time of transition?
The castle comes into view, and Hunter spirals down toward the large courtyard. Guards run out holding weapons, but I see them relax when they notice the deep purple dragon. Hunter is the only one of his race who is that color.
But the witches and shifters have always been on good terms. In fact, we’ve been at peace with all three other races for many years. I can’t imagine that they would risk that after all races were almost annihilated by humans two hundred years ago.
So what? A rogue witch?He guesses as he puts his wings out to slow our descent and make the landing gentle.
I would assume so, but we’ll leave that up to the king and his queens to determine. The witch queen will be here for the coronation of our new king or queen in a few weeks. I’m sure they will get to the bottom of it. Until then, we’ll warn our people to tighten the security on their children and widen our search for the remaining missing ones. Dad will spin a story so as not to panic the shifter population.
I feel his renewed determination to find the other missing children. We’ve managed to keep the news from the general shifter population up until now, but we can’t afford to do that any longer. Widespread panic isn’t going to help either. This is really a bad time for any upheaval. The transition of a new king and queen is always a little rocky for the first year until they find their footing and get used to shifter ways.
