Fae, he smelled delicious tonight.
I fanned my face again and took a large drink of wine from the glass in front of me. “Will we be having dessert this eve…along with that legendary mutton pie, Father?” I even said it with a smile.
“We’re having syllabub for dessert, my daughter.” King Traevon waved his right hand in the air.
That was the signal for the servants.
I stared in dismay at the perfectly prepared mutton pie placed directly in front of me. Fierce annoyance flared within, so I lifted my knife and sliced down into my fare—with possibly a bit more relish than was acceptable.
Fairy, that felt good.
King Athon choked on his wine and quickly covered his mouth with his red napery.
I peeked up at him, stating demurely, “It’s to cool the inside, Your Royal Highness.”
“Yes, of course.” I was sure the bastard was hiding a smile behind his napery, but it didn’t show. However, his solid black eyes sparkled with restrained amusement. “Very astute of you, Your Highness.”
Mother sent a quiet look of warning in my direction before her smile reappeared on her pretty face. “Tell me, King Athon, do you enjoy syllabub? It’s one of my soul mate’s favorites.”
The King of Shifters lifted his knife and fork and delicately cut into his mutton pie. “I do, Minnie. I’ve had it many times and loved it.”
“Speaking of love…” King Traevon spoke. He waved his knife around to and fro before him, conveniently pointing it at my soul mate, asking, “With all of the chaos happening recently, did you find time to read the missive from Queen Mikko today?”
“I did.” My soul mate’s dusky pearl lips curled around his fork as he took a bite, chewing and swallowing quietly. “Though, I do not know why that reminded you of love.”
“Along with the Fae that she has managed to capture and wants us there for, it is also the day she’ll bury her dead.” King Traevon pointed his knife right at my soul mate’s heart. “She will not be in good spirits tomorrow for the interrogation.”
King Athon nodded solemnly. “You’re correct. I doubt she will be. Especially if she decides to burn her sister instead of giving her a proper burial.”
A traitor’s death in the Caster Kingdom.
That was horribly depressing, so I asked, “You said they’ve captured a Fae?”
My king sighed happily. “Yes. We’re flying there tomorrow to interrogate him.” He appeared downright bloodthirsty at the thought.
“Will I be going?”
My mother glanced at my father, waiting for his answer.
King Traevon swallowed his bite before responding. “You will. We leave at high noon.”
Mother softly sighed but didn’t argue with his verdict. “Please send Queen Mikko my condolences.”
“I will, love.” My king twirled his knife again. “And since so much love is in the air, I have a question for you, my daughter. I’ve waited especially for dinner to ask this.”
“Yes?” I took another drink of my wine.
My king’s mouth lifted at the corners into the smallest of smiles, an ominous baring of his teeth. He dropped his knife on the table, letting it clatter horribly, while heat began to simmer off him throughout the dining hall. King Traevon flicked his wrist at my right hand, just before he asked far too slowly, “When I found you in King Athon’s kingdom, why were you wearing his mother’s castor-spelled ring? Which, you still are. And, before you lie to me, I’d know that ring anywhere. My mother sold it to her.”
Instantly, I lowered my wine glass to the table.
Fae dammit, Grandmother!
The entire room went tomblike, silent.
No one moved. No one even breathed.
This…was spectacularly bad. Blood and fire bad.
