Was it a gift? Like, how the barn kitty brings you a dead mouse and drops it at your feet with pride? Or, was it a warning? Like, this is what will happen to your elven head if you cause me trouble again?
Hesitantly, I leaned to the side. I whispered under my breath, “Um, Bishop? What am I supposed to do with this head?”
His mouth opened wide, and he laughed.
“This isn’t funny.” A ghastly thought occurred while he continued to laugh his fool head off. My eyes widened in disbelief and horror. I hissed, “I’m not supposed to eat it, am I?”
Bishop bent over, holding his stomach, and laughed even harder. He sputtered in his hilarity, “Just leave it.”
“Leave it?” I prodded for certainty.
“Yes, leave it here.”
I quickly shoved it off my lap onto the floor. I shuddered in my seat and gagged as itploppedonto the stone. I was tired of blood and guts today.
I admitted quietly, “That challenge was horrible.”
Bishop’s chest puffed with pride. “That challenge waseasyfor my king. I won’t have to deal with anyone else challenging him for a long while.”
Thank the Fae for that. It hadnotbeen pleasant for me.
Bishop stood to his feet, even while his king was still strutting with vicious vanity for the crowd. He waved his hand at me, and ordered, “Get up. We’re leaving now.”
I touched my bloody hood. It was still in place, low over my head and pointed ears. I quickly followed Bishop past the guards and up the stairs, keeping my head down, away from the cheering mob.
Bishop led me back to his king’s personal office and sharply pointed at me. “Stay inside this office until my king returns. He wants to speak with you about your uninvited foray into our kingdom before you leave. Do you understand, Princess Trixie?”
I rolled my eyes. “I do.”
Bishop shut the door behind him as he left.
I immediately raced to the shifter king’s desk.
He had left the SEED OF CREATION book there earlier.
With my blood crusted fingers, I started turning pages to where the folded corner was, holding my breath in anticipation.
The door banged open.
“I knew I couldn’t trust you in here with that,” Bishop barked from the doorway—much annoyance coloring his tone. He stalked across the stone floor and snagged it off the desk, holding it away from me. “Try to behave while I’m gone.”
Fae dammit all!
I pouted as he stomped out of the room—with the book. The door shook on its hinges as he slammed it hard behind him. I bared my fangs at the back of the door. I had beensoclose.
I stood in place until my shoulders sagged in disappointment. I didn’t think I could outright ask King Athon what the book was about. One, his father, whom he had loathed, had been fixated on it. I knew that would be a touchy subject to broach. And, two, I only found it by prying through his personal items after he’d sent me here for safety’s sake. It was a low dig on my part, extremely distasteful.
But I could always hint at it to see if he took the bait.
I nodded my head slowly. I would try that first.
I scratched at my face, and dried blood flaked off.Gross.
My nose scrunched as I debated my options.
I turned on my heel and sprinted across the room, heading back to his private bedchamber for another shower. My clothes would still be revolting, but I’d no longer be painted in shifter blood.
Imayhave used his soap this time.
