I froze in place, dumbfounded. “What?”
He held still for a heartbeat, and then his cruel expression unexpectedly tempered—somewhat. He opened his mouth, stating softly. “I wanted to say this privately, too, as it does mean so much to my people—and me. Thank you, Trixie. Thank you for helping to find my original.”
My chin bobbed up and down in shock, and then I mumbled dumbly, “You already thanked me.”
“It deserved repeating.” He dipped his head in a formal bow, and when his eyes lifted, his usual heated glower was back in place. His lips pulled back into a snarl, and he spoke quietly, “Remember your fucking lesson, elf.”
I scowled. “You’re an ass.”
King Athon’s golden circlet crown glittered in the unnatural lighting from high in the ceiling, while he grabbed my right hand and yanked it away from my chest. He slapped something into my palm, and he enunciated clearly, “I won’t help you again with this.”
I flashed my fangs right in his face. “Bite me, shifter.”
“I wasn’t the one begging to bite, if you remember correctly,” King Athon taunted, smirking cruelly as he stood to his intimidating height of six feet, six inches. He turned and walked away, ignoring the red flames that flashed in my eyes, commanding over his shoulder, “After you eat that, brush your teeth so King Traevon doesn’t smell it on your breath.”
I looked down at what I now held—dried jerky strips.
Knowing he could hear me, I mumbled absently, “I’m going to say that Louie gifted me the book.”
The bedchamber door opened and clicked shut gently.
* * *
I flipped a page of the tiger book and curled my toes down into the soft mattress of Father’s bed. The words stretched before my eyes. I scrunched my nose in disgust, picturing my revolting soul mate shitting and pissing on everything to mark his territory, warning others away from what he consideredhis. I shook my head, and I remarked to myself, “That is not very kingly if you ask me. Shitting on things just to leave your scent there—even for the most backward shifter, it would be unseemly.Gross.”
Father’s laughter burst through his bedchamber.
My head jerked up, and my eyes widened, surprise holding me immobile. “When did you get in here?”
King Traevon rubbed a towel over his head, drying his wet, red hair. His grin stretched across his entire face, his emerald eyes glinting with mirth. He sported a pair of black, silk pajama bottoms, obviously fresh out of the shower. “About twenty minutes ago.”
Holy Fairy. The enemy could have slit my throat before I took notice they were here. My observational skills were sorely lacking tonight, as engrossed in this book as I was.
I blinked. “Huh.”
Father tossed the towel back into the bathroom and glanced down at the tome. He casually asked, “How did you manage to get that book, my daughter?”
“I think Louie gifted it to me.” I wrinkled my red brows in false confusion and wiggled the book—just a little. “When he sent me away from King Athon’s study, I arrived with this in tow. It was lying right next to me on the bed.”
King Traevon’s frank demeanor didn’t crack. “Do you know where that book is from?”
I looked straight into his eyes. “I don’t have the foggiest idea. Although, I doubt it’s Fae since it’s about tigers.”
“Hmm.” Father’s lips twitched at the corners. “It’s from King Athon’s study. I’ve often admired it on his shelf and have wanted it for my own for averylong time.”
“Don’t even try to swindle me, my king.” I instantly clutched the book tight to my chest, frowning at my father’s sly antics—meant to pull on the heartstrings. “Louie gave it to me. You canborrowit from me when I’m done reading it. But it’smine. Don’t forget that.”
“All right, my heir. You win.” Father chuckled and climbed into bed next to me, kissing the top of my head. “No one will steal the book from you.”
“Who said anything aboutstealing?” I asked, taken aback.
King Traevon sniggered once more, shrugging his shoulders. He pulled the blankets up over him and fluffed his pillow. “I guess I said it.”
“Father!” I admonished.
“What can I say? The blue apple didn’t fall too far from the elven tree.” He winked and turned onto his side, his back facing me.
I grunted and scooted away from him, holding the tome close. “I don’t trust you.”
