“What of an heir?” King Traevon’s red brows were pulled low together. “This, right here, is the worst possible outcome for a soul mate.”
I glanced at the Shifter King as I chewed. “I’ll leave that question in your capable hands, my cherished soul mate.” A sweet smile graced my features. “After all, I am eating as youdemandedof me.”
“That is sokindof you, my adored soul mate,” King Athon rumbled gruffly. He turned his solid black eyes to my parents and shoved his long white hair over his shoulder in a distracted manner. Then he began to speak quietly. The truth came from his parted, dusky pearl lips as he told the tale of our journey so far, scrutinizing my parents’ reactions while they sat completely still to listen to our story. When he was done, he rested on the chair that was far too small for his large body and draped his muscled arm over the back of mine, placing his big, warm palm on my shoulder. He ended simply, “That is it. You know as much as we do now.”
Father’s attention snapped to me. “Trixie?”
“King Athon didn’t lie. About any of it.” I sighed and rubbed my full belly, and pushed the empty basket away from me. “That is what has happened.”
Mother scowled at her soul mate, scolding, “That was a bit much, my love. How did you miss all that?”
King Traevon laughed quietly. “Really? Are you truly asking me that?”
My mother closed her mouth quickly, but she muttered through her clenched teeth, “We will talk in private later.” With a decisive nod, she turned her regard away from him and picked at the remains of her mutton pie.
“Speaking of privacy…” King Athon rubbed his fingers softly up and down my shoulder. “How will you have any with the Fae running amok?”
“Do as we’re doing now.” King Traevon rubbed at his forehead. “And Trixie will be sleeping in our room.”
Both of my eyebrows rose swiftly. “WhenI’m not in the Shifter Kingdom at night, that is fine. Thank you so much for asking for my input on my sleeping arrangements.”
Rapidly, King Traevon scowled. “No.”
“It wasn’t a request,” I stated simply.
Bishop chuckled behind me and set the empty plate in front of me, mumbling, “You are much like your king, Your Highness.”
My soul mate peeked at me from the corner of his eye.
“Hush. Both of you.” I sighed long and hard. “Father, it is late, and I am tired.”
“One more moment,” King Traevon griped and looked at my soul mate. “My daughter sleeps in your bed?”
“She does.” King Athon crinkled his forehead in dislike. “Well, she sleeps in my bed when she actually deigns to.”
“It is safe there?”
“As much as it can be.”
Eventually, Father nodded slowly. “All right. I will allow it.” His emerald eyes flayed mine. “But Trixie, you will tell me when you aren’t coming home. Now is not the time for your stubbornness.”
My lips thinned, but I agreed with him. It was too dangerous right now for my king not to know where his heir was. “Agreed.”
“And the Fae in your castle?” King Athon asked thoughtfully. “What is to be done with them?”
“I will have them watched,” King Traevon stated seriously. “We will know what they know.”
“Hopefully, they won’t be able to track it to us.” I shook my head in bewilderment. “Their baubles no longer exist.”
“One can hope,” Father stated softly.
King Athon grunted in agreement. Then he turned his attention to me…and pulled me closer against his heated side. His solid black eyes held my gaze with worry. “What of your Fae-spark? Unless you completely avoid the Fae in your home, there is no way you can hide that from them.”
Father and Mother sat forward as one, and then Father barked, “What is wrong with her Fae-spark? You didn’t say anything about that!”
I held up a stopping hand in their direction and kept my eyes on my soul mate. “I believe I am protected now, just as you were before when you ate the seed. That’s why the gremlin who found us in bed together said nothing of you.”
“What?” Father blurted. “What gremlin? King Athon, you didnottell us the whole story.”
My soul mate sent the barest of glances at my father. “There are some things that are intimately private. That was.” He lifted a black eyebrow as my parents’ faces puckered in distaste. “Precisely so. And I have told the rulers about that instance, King Traevon. He was the one I killed before. I merely left out who was in bed with me at the time.” Solid black eyes peered back at me and a thoughtful look crossed his mien. “You truly believe that is why he took no notice of my Fae-spark?”
“Yes.” Thanks to a whispered warning from my grandmother. “I do not suspect it will be an issue any longer.”
Slowly, King Athon agreed. “All right. Though, might I suggest you test this theory with one of the Fae in your home? And with your king with you to assist should anything go awry?”
I chuckled quietly. “If one of them goes missing it will be suspicious. But I will humor you and say we will do that.”
My soul mate bent his head low and placed his face directly in front of mine. His rumbled words were simple. “Be careful with them, elf. If you die, I will be displeased.”
