“There’s a possibility that it eventually could. Though, I will say nothing else on that until I research more.” My amusement died off bit by bit, my eyes beginning to search his—his expression one of shock, suitable for what I’d just announced. I shored up my bravery and brutally swallowed down my choking fear. I asked quietly, “Cas, would I be a good mother? Even if I am to be the ruler of our people.”
Caspian blinked, swiftly following along. “Just as our king is an amazing father—and loves you dearly—you would be a splendid mother. You were raised right, Trix, and you have a kind heart.”
I looked back into my room. “This is silly, right? I am far too young to worry about such things.”
“Has…” My cousin cleared his throat hard, stumbling on his words. “Has King Athon talked about children with you?”
“Yes. My beastly soul mate wants a child. And not just for his kingdom, even if he pretends that’s the reason.” I snorted. “He very much wants to be a father.”
Caspian inquired casually, “And you?”
I rubbed my lips together, not commenting.
He shook his head gently. “You need to forgive your father, Trix. Then, perhaps, you can forgive yourself for being the heir.”
I sighed and stepped inside my room, glancing back over my shoulder. “Now, you may leave.”
My cousin’s smile was sad. “Try to do what I said.”
I kicked the door shut on his face. “Goodnight, my friend.”
Caspian sighed heavily. “Goodnight to you as well, my stubborn cousin.”
I rolled my head on my shoulders and strolled further into my room, dropping King Athon’s sex book on my bed. My head cocked in thought, debating if I should underline some of the passages in it for him. I supposed it wouldn’t hurt. I could add notes, too, if anything came to mind.
I searched my writing table for my favorite pencil, tossing a few papers onto the floor the longer I rifled for it. My eyebrows puckered in frustration when it was nowhere to be found. I lifted the hem of my skirt and dropped to my knees, looking underneath the wooden table. I squinted through the darkness, muttering, “Where in the Fae fuck did you go?”
I shoved my hand underneath, wiggling my fingers on the plush carpet, hunting blindly for it. My grin was instant as I touched it far in the corner, pulling it out. I stared at the pencil, my smile slowly falling away. I muttered, “How…did you get back there?”
The room was silent as I carefully stood to my almost five feet of height. I cast my wary gaze around my bedchamber, my shoulders tensing the more I noticed.
My pillow was turned the wrong way.
The flowers imported from the Caster Kingdom tilted.
One of my baubles on my shelf wasn’t in line.
I bared my fangs and tossed my pencil on my writing table, turning swiftly and marching straight out of my bedchamber. My eyes turned to fire as I halted in front of Grandmother Isabella’s door, my hands trembling with fury. The door opened easily for me, swinging soundlessly.
My flaming gaze immediately went to the floor.
Grandmother Isabella loved hardwood—no carpet for her.
Undisturbed dust covered the ground in a smooth sheet.
Nevertheless, I crept around the edge of her bedchamber, only using my tiptoes, barely making a mark on the dust. At the back of her room, I lifted one of the sheets covering her furniture, careful not to disturb the dust atop it. I peeked underneath, a large exhale of relief flying past my lips—my hidden items were still there.
My eyes rapidly turned back to normal emerald green.
I exited her bedchamber, closing the door behind me. I lowered my head as I began to walk back to my bedchamber. Someone had been in my room going through my things, that much was clear. It couldn’t have been King Athon. He would not have been sloppy enough for me to notice.
Perhaps the Fae had finally come in search of me.
I stopped abruptly at an open window, my attention honing in on the ledge. This was the fourth floor, with only rock to climb up. I leaned closer and inspected the drop outside…but I stopped as a piece of material fluttered in the breeze on the outside ledge’s corner.
I ripped it from the wood and held it in front of my eyes.
Orange.
