Chapter 3
Declaration of a father:
Parents boast how they will go to the ends of the realm to save their children. For over a thousand years, I didn’t doubt them.
I always knew they were serious.
But, it was only when I became a father myself that I fully understand the severity of their vow.
It lived and breathed within me. It became part of me.
It is a beast inside me, waiting to be unleashed.
You will get no warning.
I am the monster coming for you.
The brilliant sun began to set behind me, out through the windows of my study, painting the room in a shade of harsh red. It was fitting for my kingdom, a fire glowing in the coming darkness. The remaining sunlight sparkled in a dark blue eye staring directly at me, the other hidden behind his tousled white hair, as he took a seat in a chair across from my desk.
I leaned back on my chair and took a long pull from my shifter-made cigar, watching my best assassin as he waited for me to speak. I took my time and ashed my cigar, never taking my eyes from him, evaluating any nuances I could find.
In the end, he wasn’t the best because he was careless.
He gave nothing away nor acted nervous in the silence.
“I want you to tell me something, Caspian,” I stated quietly and pulled another puff of flavored smoke into my mouth. I tasted the delicious burn against my tongue and let it slowly sift from my parted lips. “Have you noticed Princess Trixie behaving oddly?”
Caspian relaxed in his chair and placed a booted ankle on his other knee. “That’s hard to say. The princess is a constant handful.” He flicked a piece of his white hair off his forehead, showing both of his eyes now. “But, as of late, she’s been no more odd than normal.”
The man before me was loyal to my heir.
Probably even before his king.
I took another deep pull from my cigar and absently ashed it while keeping my attention on the assassin.
Years ago, this was what I’d planned for.
That didn’t mean it wasn’t a pain in my ass now.
Our past, present, and future was coming to a head.
Fairy, I hate that old, Fae witch.
I lifted a red brow and asked sardonically, “You did cover for her recently, as you remember. Are you doing it again?”
“No, Your Royal Highness. There’s nothing to cover.”
I think I’d call him…a liar.
A marvelous one, at that.
“Hmm.” I stubbed out my cigar and pressed the man for more. “Has she spoken about King Athon recently?”
Instantly, his dark brow furrowed. “Not at all. Why would she speak of the shifter king? Is he causing issues again?”
Liar. Liar. I’ll set your toes on fire.
I sat in silence. And merely stared at the assassin.
