That expression did not bode well for me.
King Athon rubbed at his slightly whiskered chin, grabbing the attention once more. “I am ready to speak with you about why we are here in the first place.”
The King of Dragons flicked his eyes to the shifter king, suddenly bored with the lot of royals. “I am listening, but my patience is wearing thin.”
“We are searching for an artifact the Fae left in our realm to battle the waking giants.” He chewed on his toothpick, his pure black eyes running over the dragon’s features. “Do you know what I speak of?”
King Ula snorted under his breath. “That is why you are here? I do not believe you.”
“I assure you, it is why we are in Trumbalay.” King Athon stared fiercely at the King of Dragons. “That is not a lie. Do you know where the artifact is?”
The dragon on the left glanced at his king.
The dragon on the right grinned outright.
The King of Dragons ran his solid eyes over the shifter king’s features, the two very much alike. After a long moment of consideration, he stated clearly, “I do know where the artifact is. But the information will cost you what I do not believe you can give.”
“Tell me your price,” King Athon responded evenly.
“You will allow us to stay where we are, unharmed. You will not tell the Fae where we are. You will not tell anyone in this realm what we are.” King Ula stared unflinchingly. “That is my price. If you agree, I will have your word as the King of Shifters on it. And your friends here will need to give their word as well, with the same price.”
I sucked in a harsh breath. Oh my Fae.
King Athon’s gaze turned brutal. “You and your people have been killing my kind for thousands of years.”
“We will do so no longer if you agree to my terms. I give you my word on that as the King of Dragons.”
King Athon slammed back on his chair. He stared death at the King of Dragons, and he stated bluntly, “I would really like you dead.”
“I imagine you would.” King Ula smirked. “But do you prefer to kill me over this artifact? That is your choice.”
King Athon simmered where he sat, fairly vibrating with the wish to maim the dragon across from him. His claws peeked out for a split second before he hid them once more. A tiger’s growl rumbled inside his chest as he stewed over his own thoughts.
“That is what I thought,” King Ula stated calmly. “I do not believe you can pay my price. If it is a fight to the death that you wish for, I will give it to you freely. I have not met a decent challenge in ages. It could be fun.”
My throat tightened. The dragon was deadly serious.
The King of Shifters was not budging, either.
Hewantedthis fight.
“I will give you my word as the heir of the Elf Kingdom to abide by your set price,” I stated in a rush, air bursting inside my lungs. I stared with wide eyes, unbelieving I had disrupted their barter. The King of Shifters could not die, though. I would save him from himself—and the realm. I mumbled hastily, “If you tell us where the artifact is.”
All heads turned in my direction.
King Athon flicked his toothpick on the table. He leaned over and snarled in my face, baring his tiger fangs. “What in the Fae fuck are you doing, elf?”
I flinched at his wrath. “I am saving the realm. Do not let your pride get in the way of doing the same.”
His mouth opened wide an inch from my nose…
And heroared.
King Traevon punched him right in the face.
My wide, frightened eyes watched as King Athon’s head snapped back from the punishing blow. I held still as my Fae-spark flared, pulling me to heal the jagged cut on his cheekbone. I shoved my power down hard. I had no intention of healing the prickly tiger shifter right now. He had been a Fae damned brute!
The King of Shifters brought his head back up very slowly, the cut already healed, and he locked eyes with my father.
