Instantly, the butterflies swarmed to the ground.
And abruptly…there were a hundred Fae now covering the front lawn of my king’s castle, all just as odd as their neighbor, their antlers rising high off their foreheads as they stood tall.
My jaw dropped open in utter shock.
Fuck, that wasa lotof Fae to house.
King Athon actually started snickering and looked to my king. “We are in your kingdom, King Traevon. Where might they all lodge?” He quite happily foisted that off onto my father.
King Traevon sent a scathing glance in his direction then focused back on the Fae and stated amenably, “Between my castle and my heir’s, there is plenty of room for all of you.”
Mamue nodded and relaxed her stance. “Your hospitality is appreciated, King Traevon.” A quick flick of her enormous eyes at my soul mate and back to my king. “King Athon will be showing the same hospitality when we enter his kingdom.”
My king grinned. “Wonderful.” He raised his hand grandly to his castle. “If you would? I’ll have my servants show you around so you may be familiar with the space.”
“Perfect.” Mamue agreed.
An army of Fae entered my parents’ home.
* * *
It was close to midnight.And I was not pleased.
I huffed and crossed my arms, and leaned back on the hard chair my royal ass sat upon. I growled, “Did the baker have nothing else to feed us?”
King Athon looked up from his fare of…mutton pie…and chewed happily. “King Traevon woke him from his home. Be grateful we have this.”
Bishop leaned back against the bakery wall andgrowledsoftly, playing the guard again and not eating.
I sniffed down my nose at the food before me.
Mother rolled her golden eyes. “Eat, my Trixie. Once we go back to the castle, we’ll be scavenging the scraps of whatever the Fae don’t eat. Our cooks were not prepared for this.”
King Traevon grumbled under his breath, “Our mutton pie was better, too.”
“Youwanted to come here to talk privately.” I waved my arms around the small space. “And here we are. Eating shit, Father.” That reminded me. “I hope no one needs to use the facilities here. They are…underwhelming.”
“Shh.” Mother admonished and glanced over her shoulder where the baker worked behind the counter. “Try to be a little more courteous, my daughter.”
“It is the truth.” I snorted and grabbed my plate and fork. Then I leaned back on my chair and handed them to Bishop. “Here, let us hope you choke on it.”
“Always with the sass, Your Highness.” Bishop grabbed my plate with greedy hands and, instantly, started stuffing his mouth. “You’ll be starving tonight. And I’ll sleep like a babe with a full belly.”
“We’ve had this discussion before, Princess. I don’t want to have it with you again.” King Athonsnarledand shoved the bread in the middle of the small, circular table toward me. “There are Fae here. What are you thinking?”
I flashed my fangs at him…but grabbed a bread roll and bit into it hungrily. I spoke around my mouthful, “I hate you.”
“I hate you, too.” He leaned toward me and brushed his nose across my cheek, and then he grumbled, “No one else will touch those. Eat the whole basket.”
I narrowed my eyes at the order…and scooted the basket closer to myself and hovered over it protectively. The rolls were Fae damned delicious. I wouldn’t be telling any of them that, either.
King Traevon’s emerald eyes watched as his gaze flew back and forth between us, observing us closely while he ate. “I…don’t like this. You two are not a good fit.”
My soul mate and I laughed at the same time.
“Welcome to our realm, Father.” I waved my hand between my soul mate and me. “This is what we have been dealing with. It may not appear it, but we are doing much better than before.”
Mother’s nose crinkled. “I can only imagine.”
