CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Knowledge of a princess:
The flame of a fire can brand you. In your heart. In your mind.
And in your soul.
Be careful what you set on fire.
The burn may last forever.
IQUICKLY SHOVEDmy belongings inside my traveling bag. “Are youpositiveKera is headed this way, Your Royal Highness?”
King Elon threw my father’s satchel at him. “Yes. Hurry the Fae fuck up.” He waved his hands at us as if that would speed us along. “She and her guards are on their way.”
“This seems too easy,” Queen Mikko stated quietly, staring up at the statue behind us. “Do you think my sister spotted one of us?”
The Queen of Merfolk snorted, still staying quiet.
King Athon rumbled softly—a warning, “I don’t think anything about today will be easy, Queen Mikko. Look at where we are. If she is coming here, it does not bode well.”
The Queen of Casters froze in place, swallowing hard.
King Athon grabbed his traveling bag, nodding once to her in understanding, and began walking far away, staring at the original caster’s statue.
I sighed heavily at his truthful words—this location didnotbode well—and shoved my strap over my head. I walked toward my Fae damned soul mate while the others finished up their work. I stopped beside him and looked far,farup at him. I whispered gently, “Are you feeling all right this morning, shifter?”
The King of Shifters quirked up one black eyebrow. He answered quietly, “Yes, elf. Just as I was feeling well last night.”
I squinted at him, still whispering, “Why did you say all of that?”
His long eyelashes lowered over his solid black shifter eyes, partially hiding his gaze from me. My soul mate stepped forward, almost too close for decorum’s sake, explaining softly, “You cried in your sleep the last night we spent alone together. When I asked what you were dreaming about, you said your father.”
My shoulders tensed as my cheeks flamed with heat. I bit my bottom lip with my fangs, my nose scrunched, as I looked at him in embarrassment. I begged quietly, “Is there any way that you can forget that? Please?”
King Athon chuckled quietly, his gaze roaming my face. He stated gently, “It is not likely, Princess. I don’t forget much.”
“Fine.” I flicked my hand at his amused expression. “But you can quit gloating.”
An eyebrow lifted as he sharply whispered, “Youare lecturingmeabout gloating? I have an entire bedchamber full of your gloating.” The King of Shifters blinked. “You may need more of those Merfolk Kingdom bath beads. I found the bubbles very pleasing while taking a soak—and I have a large tub. They did not last long.”
“Those were expensive,” I hissed, my brows edging together.
“How would you know, Princess?”
“Well…I don’t. But I am sure they were.” I lifted my chin into the air and sniffed. “They worked far too well to not be.” I leaned forward into his space. “But more importantly, they weremine.”
“They were in my room, therefore,mine.”
I continued searching his features. “Why did you really say all that last night? What game are you playing this time?”
His lips quirked up on one side, arrogant as Fairy. “You don’t believe I said it out of kindness?”
“Not in the slightest. You’d never say anything that…friendly…to me in front of my king. You are not that foolish.”
King Athon cocked his head to the side. “As you shouldn’t have followed me over here, away from everyone else? Most would call that foolish.”
Unease fluttered in my stomach, realizing my blunder too late. “That…is true.” My emerald eyes flicked back and forth between his. “So you simply made a mistake?”
