“The two guards that your soul mate killed were also fine shifters, who had families,” King Athon returned and arched a black eyebrow, definitely no apology in his tone now. “Like I said. Two for two.”
My mother still didn’t look pleased.
Bishop cleared his throat. “My king, I already smell bad enough…”
“Fucking shit, this is utterly ridiculous.” My soul mate waved his hand and his guard was clean. “I think we have veered away from what really needs to be discussed.” His solid black eyes connected with the flaming eyes of his nemesis. “Do you not agree, King Traevon?”
“I’d rather not talk but instead throw you into my dungeon for the rest of your long life.” The fire instantly went out, though, and my father stopped pacing the room. “That is still an option.”
I grumbled a curse and hastily stepped between the two kings. “Father, do you remember in the Blood Forest when you said you wouldn’t be a complete asshole if you ever met my soul mate? Here’s your grand chance.” I waved my hands wildly into the air. “Don’t be an asshole.”
His emerald eyes held mine, the fire still alive in his gaze. “I believe I warned you that I would be aslightasshole.”
“You’re not even close to that right now. Try harder.”
“Her headboard!” Mother snapped her fingers and pointed at my soul mate, off in her own little realm of thoughts. “You owe her a new bed, Your Royal Highness. You cannot finagle yourself out of that one.”
I moaned, then turned away from my parents and smashed my face against my dratted soul mate’s chest. “Why are they like this?”
King Athonchuffedquietly and folded his massive arms around me, holding me close against his warm skin and honeysuckle scent. He dipped his head and whispered against the bottom of my ear, as if he were imparting a sweet secret, “You act just like them, Princess. Imagine the torture I must go through each time you open your mouth.”
Keeping my eyes closed, I beat my fist against his chest once, grouching, “And why are you such a Fae fucking prick?”
With his lips still to my ear, he chuckled, his hot breath tickling my flesh. “I think we should move away from each other. Your parents are looking as stabby as you were earlier with that delicious mutton pie.”
“Fuck. You. Shifter. Asshole.” I shoved away from him and carefully put space between us while I continued to scowl at him. “Ihate you. Just…what was that?Why? Whymust you be such a beastallthe time?” I pointed straight to the west. “I will fly back to that Fae-forsaken mountain and burn that bitch to the ground. Do you understand my level of hate right now? Do you truly? Because it’s right up there where that bitch lives.”
King Athonhuffedin stutters and stops.
A bizarre noise sounded in his throat.
Then the bastard tipped his head back and laughed. And laughed. Because why would he not? He was that much of a prick.
I turned my head to the side and snarled, “Bishop, please remind your king later that I warned him.” I brushed my hands off,done.
Bishop ran his left palm over his haggard face. “My king…”
The King of Shifters finally shut the fuck up. “Right.” His lips trembled again, but he managed to contain it. His attention turned back to my parents, and his expression remained serious. “I suppose you two have questions?”
King Traevon flicked his emerald attention back and forth between us, his eyebrows almost touching. “First, I am curious. Why does my heir want to burn…a bitch?” His eyes narrowed further with wicked thoughts. He took two large steps toward my soul mate and slammed his chest against King Athon’s. “Have you been unfaithful to my daughter?” His smile was truly evil. “Ismutton piestill your favorite fare up there on that Fae-forsaken mountain?”
“No.” I ticked a finger in the air. “Not happening, Father. Some things are none of your business.”
King Traevon didn’t move. He waited.
My soul mate and my father stared at one another, neither looking away from each other.
King Athon snarled softly, “No, I have not been unfaithful to your daughter. Don’t ever ask me that again.”
“You had better keep it that way,” Mother mumbled absently, staring off toward the front of the castle, her green brows pulling together.
King Traevon clenched his jaws for a long moment, but, eventually, he took a—small—step back and asked, “Who else knows—”
An elven guard raced into the dining hall, cutting off my father’s question. His eyes were wide in shock…and he hadn’t even noticed the blood and ash all over the room. His words plummeted out of his mouth in a rush. “Your Royal Highness, there are Fae here.”
King Traevon stiffened. “Pardon me?”
The guard sucked in a large breath. “There are Fae. On the castle’s front lawn.ManyFae. They are demanding to speak to you and the King of Shifters.”
I swallowed hard. Unwanted fear tumbled into my gut.
Instantly, King Athon moved to the side, placing himself between me and the doorway, barking, “Bishop, take Princess Trixie upstairs. Keep her safe until this is over.”
“Love, stay with Trixie and Bishop,” King Traevon ordered, already prowling toward the door. “King Athon, we are not at all done with this nightmare conversation, but let us see what games the Fae are playing now.”
King Athon stalked after him, his tiger fangs baring. Hesnarledfuriously. “After this fine dinner party you’ve thrown, it had better be the bloody sort.”
