“No,” King Elon stated adamantly. “Neveragain.”
My red brows puckered. “My mind is addled, Father. I don’t understand what’s going on. Why are the king and queen here with us?”
Father gripped the canteen harder in his hand, yanking it away from someone, and quickly pressed it to my lips. “Drink and don’t worry. Everything will be all right.”
I gulped the water. And then choked, spitting it all over myself. But Father insisted, so I tried again. The second time, I sipped it slowly. My throat clenched, and my stomach churned. I realized how thirsty I truly was and lifted my shaking hands to hold it.
“No, no,” Father said softly. “I’ll hold it for you.”
“Don’t let her drink too much,” Queen Alora said sharply. “It was hard enough to find a water source the first time. I don’t know if we can do it again.”
I dragged my face away from the canteen. With anxiety lacing my words, I said, “I don’t understand what’s going on.”
“I know,” Father whispered softly. He pressed the water back to my lips. “It is okay.”
I tipped my head back to drink more deeply as the water started to run from the canteen quickly into my parched mouth, and my eyes snagged on a pair of solid black orbs staring down at meveryclose to my face. My brows crinkled in confusion while I drank and stared up at the shifter king.
Why was King Athon here?
And…I think he washoldingme in his arms.
This didn’t make sense.
I pulled my mouth away from the water, and croaked, “Why are you here?”
King Athon lifted one black eyebrow. “The same reason you are. We are here to save the realm. Although you have been sorely lacking, as of late.”
I blinked and whispered, “That won’t do.”
“I would agree.” He tipped his head to the side. There were small twigs stuck in his white hair in various places. “Do as your father said and drink the water. It will make you stronger so that no one will have to carry you anymore.”
“I think I want to sleep.” I blinked slowly.
King Athon shook his arms, wobbling my body harshly inside his pitiless hold. “You’ve been asleep long enough, Princess Trixie. Keep your eyes open, or your father will lose his Fae shit all over again. I donotwant to deal with that. It was maddening enough the first time.”
“Hmm.” My blink took a monumental effort.
Solid black eyes narrowed on me. “King Traevon…”
Father shook my left shoulder roughly. “Stay awake!”
I fought the exhaustion. I truly did.
But my eyes still closed, pulled down into a dark slumber.
* * *
Soft fur tickled my nose and coldness seeped into my bones. I burrowed my head further into the little warmth I could find, a shoulder that smelled distinctly like my father. I must have fallen asleep against him in his study while he worked, though his sofa should be replaced. It was hard and lumpy to lie on.
I pulled the fur cover closer to me with frozen fingers and muttered, “Father, I think there is a window open somewhere. It is cold. Please, call a servant in.”
Queen Alora’s voice filtered across my senses from somewhere close. “I would love to have a servant here right now. Why did she have to wake up to saythat?”
I tensed and held still. Something was assuredly amiss.
I racked my brain to remember, but it was like sifting through a fog of molasses, thoughts heavy and sticking to my body, but I was going nowhere with it. The memories for why she was here did not come to me at all.
Queen Mikko snickered soft, but her teeth chattered inside her mouth. “And just when King Traevon passed out. Should we wake him?”
