King Traevon’s lips lifted into a crooked, evil smile.
King Ula laughed merrily, his chest and shoulders shaking. “Oh my. This is truly entertaining, and I am pleasantly surprised that the elven heir gave her word first. She just took away her advantage over me. I do not think she thought that through.”
I bared my fangs. “I have nothing to hide, dragon.”
Oh my Fae, did I ever have something to hide.
Queen Alora cleared her throat. “I give you my word, as well, as the Queen of Merfolk to abide by your price, provided you tell us where the artifact is.”
King Elon hissed his agreement, giving his word.
King Traevon and Queen Mikko did the same.
All eyes were now on the furious King of Shifters.
King Athon spat, “I give you my word as the King of Shifters to abide by your price if you tell us where the artifact is.”
The dragons on the left and right relaxed in their chairs.
The King of Dragons smiled grandly as he stated, “It was a pleasure doing business with you, King Athon. The Axe of Legend lies with the bones of your original.”
I stared at the dragon. That was bloody cruel.
I wanted to rip his throat out myself.
Coralee stopped at our table, mutton pies in hand. “They’re hot out of the oven. Who wants the first one?”
“Take your fucking mutton pies and shove them up your Fae damned ass!” I shouted, losing all decorum in a Fae blink. I shooed my hands at her, aggravation churning in my stomach for the task at hand—there weremanyshifter bones we would need to dig through. “Get the Fairy away from us. Now, bitch!”
With great satisfaction, I watched as she turned and fled.
The table was so, so quiet.
King Traevon blinked ever so slowly. “That was a little too much, my daughter.” Another slow blink. “Justa little too much.”
I growled under my breath and stood stiffly. “Let us leave here. I know the way to the artifact.”
King Ula’s lips twitched. “Yes, you do.”
“Fuck off, dragon.” I snarled. I marched straight out the front door, the rulers hurrying to catch up. I grumbled over my shoulder, “Was anyone crossing their fingers under the table? Please tell me you were.”
Father snorted and shook his head, walking next to me. “I don’t believe that is how giving one’s word works, my heir.”
I grunted. “Don’t ruin my good thoughts, my king. I may at least dream that it works that way.”
Directly behind me, King Athon asked quietly, “How bad is their den?”
I swallowed down bile. “You may wish to stay outside, King Athon. I do mean that in the most respectful way.”
The King of Shifters snarled. “I cannot. We must all be there.”
“Do not say I didn’t warn you, Your Royal Highness.” I shivered deeply. “It is not good. You may wish to prepare yourself.”
A furious tiger’sroarerupted into the air.
I was not upset with him this time. It was that bad.
* * *
