Caspian snickered and shrugged, the rotten jerk.
Father already had a long sword in his hand, swinging it easily, loosening his muscles. “Was there a reason you followed us down here, other than to eavesdrop?”
I veered to the weapons hanging on the wall. I lifted a double-headed spear from its resting place and turned to face my king. I used both hands, rotating it around my body with fluid grace.
On to my actual plan…
I answered, “Yes, I wanted to know if Mother was feeling better.”
“Minnie is feeling like herself today.” Father beckoned me closer with his sword. “She’s in full preparation mode for our anniversary and is working through the delicate details with your uncle as we speak.”
I stepped up to face off with my king, holding my spear up high with the blades aimed at his head. “Do you have any plans tomorrow? I’d like to go to that waterfall we used to visit. The one that Queen Mikko mentioned—the one from Mother’s painting. We haven’t been there for a while.” I asked for something I knew he couldn’t possibly manage having been gone for a few days.
Father attacked first, slicing sideways at my stomach.
I pivoted and swung the spear around—almost landing a blow to his back—but he twisted too fast away from me.
“Perhaps, next week, we can work that into the schedule when I’m less busy, and your mother’s agenda clears up.” A typical king response coming out of my father’s mouth. He moved in to strike again, but I beat him to it, making him quickly change to a defensive maneuver. His cheeks pinched as he laughed at my antics, conceding, “Or Caspian could go with you tomorrow if that’s what you really wish.”
I twirled away, winking at Caspian as I did so.
My cousin’s voice was droll. “I’ll take her. We’ll make a day of it.” And just like that, my alibi was set, as I knew he’d do for me.
I smirked at my father and held the spear high once more. “Is that all you’ve got, King Traevon?”
“Not in the slightest, my heir.”
Father charged with his wicked sword, slicing down through the air, done warming up. I met him blow for blow, sweet adrenaline flooding my veins. This right here was pure bliss with my king.
CHAPTER THREE
Confession of a princess:
The Shifter Kingdom is even more heinous than I’d thought it to be. It is most peculiar, really. It is a lawless land…but with law? I’ve never felt so off-center before. You truly must have to grow up a shifter to understand their ways, their brutality. I am trying, but it is difficult.
There is one fact I do know. Elves certainly do not belong here.
PENELOPE’S BLOOD-RED HOOVEStouched down in the Shifter Kingdom under the cloak of darkness deep in the forest beneath the shifter’s capital, Mount Hawthorne. The massive city loomed far above, built into the rock of the mountain, hundreds and hundreds of lights dotting the shifter city. Penelope shimmied to the side, and I hushed her softly and patted her neck, rubbing gently to calm her nerves—not that mine were any better.
I unstrapped my waist and legs from the flying saddle and jumped down. I swiftly pulled out my merchant attire, draping it over my Fae-gift’s black-furred back. With an alert gaze, I promptly stripped down and changed my clothing, stuffing my regal clothing back into my bag. I shook out the flowing, blue ankle-length skirt and thin, white top, the items slightly wrinkled. The sandal straps that created a delicate pattern up to my knees weren’t comfortable, but they looked the part.
“Penelope, you need to fly back to the Elf Kingdom now. Go back home, and, tomorrow, fly to the waterfall I showed you, and stay there. When it gets to be night again, fly back to this exact spot and wait for me.” I shoved the strap of my bag over my right shoulder and peered up into her fiery red eyes. I asked in my most firm voice, “Do you understand?”
Penelope showed me her teeth.
“I know. You don’t like it. But you need to do this for me. All right?”
My bloody Fae-gift shook her red and black mane, and then stomped her feet. She dared to bite onto the strap of my bag and yank me closer to her. Penelope huffed and set her head on top of mine, keeping me tucked in close.
I held still, and muttered dryly, “Now is not the time for cuddles, my beautiful girl.”
She pawed one hoof at the grassy ground.
I added, “I will be fine.”
Another rake at the ground with her hoof.
Apparently, Penelope wasn’t a believer.
