His voice had vibrated against my ear.
I was in the shifter king’s arms now.
Ireallywanted to wake up from this horrendous delusion.
But were we walking? Were we walkingbefore?
This was most odd.
Queen Mikko asked softly, “What are we going to do if she doesn’t—”
“Bequiet!” Father barked.
Was that honeysuckle I smelled? I didn’t fancy it. There was something off-putting about it. It smelled disgusting, extremely offensive.
My nose twitched.
Wait…
Oh my Fae,my nose twitched.
I inhaled the honeysuckle scent once more, holding it in.
Holding it. Holding it… Holding it in some more…
I cannot take it anymore. I choked it from my lungs.
Ugh, that was dreadful.
Why did I think that was a good idea?
“Trixie!” Father bellowed. “Is she awake?”
“She coughed,” King Elon stated curiously. “That was new.”
Father patted my face hard. “Trixie! Wake up!”
I wanted to try again. I could do this.
I pulled ferociously at my eyelid—it was Fae damned hard—managing to peek open my right eye.
“Oh, thank you, Fae,” King Traevon prayed reverently. His warm palms cupped my cheeks, and his emerald eyes glistened with unshed tears in the low light. “Stay awake, Trixie. All right? I need you to stay awake for me.”
I croaked, “Father?”
“Yes, it is me.” My father nodded grandly. “Can you open your other eye? I want to seebothof your beautiful eyes, Trixie.”
“They look just like yours,” I slurred, creaking open my other eye. I achieved a decent squint, but not the glare I’d set out for. “You are a vain man.”
Father’s laughter sounded hysterical. He snapped his fingers frantically to the side, trying to grab someone’s attention. He was very odd sometimes. Father stated quickly, “Keep talking. Keep telling me off. I don’t care. Just keep speaking.”
“All right,” I slurred. I lifted one trembling finger into the air. “You banished me. Who does that to their own kid? I’ll tell you who. A Fae fucking dickhead. All in the name of this wonderful freedom I didn’t even want. I wantedyou.”
Father stalled in taking a canteen from someone’s outstretched hand, his emerald eyes catching mine. “One day, my daughter, you will realize what I did was foryouand that you havealwayshad me.”
King Elon choked. “I think I am getting sick.”
“Did you eat those Fae damned berries again?” Queen Alora shrieked.
