“What do you need from me, Your Royal Highness?” she asked, her tone brusque and hurt, now proper considering her kitchen’s occupants. “It is not about an elven royal since I assume they areboth here in my kitchenas we speak.”
My lips twitched. I wouldn’t hate this shifter, normally.
King Athon stepped beside her, staring down with gentle eyes—not far down since the top of her head was eye level for him. “I am sorry to intrude unannounced like this. I would not have done so if I didn’t need to.”
Coralee’s ample bosom heaved with a large sigh. She turned to face him and stated more calmly, “I know you would not, Your Royal Highness. What is it you need?”
I waited… I waited…
Her right hip brushed the stove.
I flicked my finger instantly.
The flames from the stove leapt onto the cotton tie of her apron. No one noticed. It was perfect, the flame tiny right now.
I only allowed my cruel glee to enter my eyes.
King Athon’s brows flew together, but he dipped his head in thanks. He asked bluntly, “There is someone else who enjoys your mutton pie, too. It would be an individual who has lived here the longest that you can think of. Perhaps a recluse? Do you have any thoughts on that?”
Coralee crossed her arms and snickered. “Everyone who lives here knows who you are talking about. But it is not one individual. It is three. They are brothers and have lived here for as long as the city was built from what I’m told. They’re here right now having dinner.”
My forehead creased fiercely. Three of them?
I blinked.All the footprints outside of the cave.
Grandmother Isabella had spoken of one dragon. But it would make sense if the dragon was still here after all this time that it would want company—its own kind of company. A lifetime alone would be lonely. Mayhap they liked it here better than Fairy? And just because grandmother had only spoken of one, it did not mean there weren’t more. I should have paid more attention to what she hadn’t said than to what she actually had.
King Elon pointed, and he hissed, “Ma’am, you are on fire.”
“What?” Her head snapped in his direction.
The gorgon king pointed again. “Your apron has caught fire on the stove.”
I tilted my head to view it better. It was a work of beauty.
Coralee twisted her body to see behind her, and then her sweet,sweetscream filled the air. “Fucking Fae! Shit!”
All royals watched with varying expressions while she danced between our group, hopping to and fro and shouting her bloody head off while she batted at the flames—making them grow higher—andburnedher hands very nicely.
My smirk could not be helped.
Father cleared his throat, sounding much like a choked back laugh, and the next second, the flames completely disappeared. “There you are. It is taken care of.”
I scowled at the back of my father’s head. Dammit.
King Athon glared fiercely above all our heads, staring off at nothing, and he growled, “We should leave you to your business, Coralee, so that you may focus on your work.”
“I can’t believe I was that careless. That was quite embarrassing.” Her chest was heaving from her exertion. She turned her attention to the elven king. “Thank you, Your Royal Highness. You were very kind to help me.”
“You are welcome,” King Traevon said cordially.
The King of Shifters rubbed his hands roughly over his face, but he asked evenly, “The three men are in the dining area?”
“They are, Your Royal Highness.” Coralee waved her right hand in front of her flushed face, cooling her heated skin, gradually, collecting herself. “If you’re going out there, do you want food, too?”
“Yes. Six mutton pies.” King Athon stalked to the kitchen door. “And some ale. Thank you, Coralee.”
“You’re welcome.” She dipped in a curtsy, speaking to the ground. “They are the biggest males out there. You cannot miss them.”
