I tightened my ponytail and looked toward the gates. “We never saw Queen Alora or King Elon. Do you suppose they are already inside?”
“If they are, it will be the first time Queen Alora has arrived before me for anything.” King Traevon handed the reins of his Fae-gift off to one of the stable hands.
I did the same, making sure Penelope ate a blue apple first after the mess she had just endured. My Fae-gift’s chewing gave the Shifter King time to give specific instructions for Axel to the caster lad, who appeared frightened out of his mind to be standing between the three of us.
I snorted softly as I watched our Fae-gifts be led away. “I don’t believe the stable hand liked us much.”
Father began marching up the stairs of the castle, saying over his shoulder, “The issue probably wasn’t helped by King Athon treating him like a moron and growling every other word.”
My soul mate sniffed. “The boy stank of mead. I had to make sure he was sober.” King Athon looked at me and tilted his head toward the stairs. “Are we going inside, or are we standing here until the mist comes for us tonight?”
I rolled my eyes and began trudging up the stairs that had bright green ivy coating them, surely spelled for those who should not be trespassing here. “I wonder if we may take a short nap. We have most assuredly earned it today.”
“Hear, hear.” Father grunted. “If the other rulers have not arrived yet, I shall ask.”
“And a bath.” King Athonhuffedsoftly. “Do not forget to ask for baths. We all smell like we’ve rolled around in sewage.”
I sniffed at my shoulder at the castle’s front door—that had iron spikes inlaid into the dark wood—and cringed at my own scent. “That, is an unpleasant surprise I hadn’t noticed yet. Yes. We definitely need baths, too. Make sure to ask, Father.”
He patted the top of my head. “It will be done.”
* * *
I peekedmy head out of the guest room I had been given to clean up in and rest for a few hours. My nap was delightful and much needed, my mind and my strength now returned to a healthy level. I gazed down the hallway and stepped outside my door, listening closely to all I could hear.
My lips twitched knowing full well which room my soul mate was sleeping in. And he was still slumbering. The sound of hisloudsnoring surely could be heard by one and all. It practically echoed down the hallway.
I chuckled as I shut my door and strolled in the opposite direction. I had never been inside Queen Mikko’s castle. It was time to do a bit of snooping while I could. Seeing as most of the guards were outside of the castle taking control of the streets again, it was impeccable timing.
Slipping through each hallway unseen, I gradually made my way down to the main floor where most of the action occurred. But it was far quieter than it should have been, the day’s events taking a toll on its people.
It was perfect for me.
I invaded each room I found. Looked in drawers. Spied under couches. Peeked behind portraits on walls. Danced around statues. Stole a cigar…
I puffed on the old smelling cigar on the back lawn of the estate and strolled the grounds, zigzagging between aspen trees and dodging the bogs. I let the smoke slide out of my mouth when I spied a caster servant who looked familiar.
I hid behind the trunk of a tree while I watched her work on the flowerbeds, and a smile gradually formed on my lips.
Itwasher. The caster from the Shifter Kingdom, who had saved my royal ass when I’d been lost in the streets.
Puckering my lips, I whistled softly.
Instantly, her head whipped around in my direction. Her black hair fanned around her pale face and her blue-mist eyes scanned the terrain. It only took her a moment to spot me. Her gaze narrowed as she marched right toward me, calling, “Do I need to call for the guards? You aren’t supposed to be on the castle grounds.”
I stepped out from behind the tree, allowing her to see my finery, and pointed the cigar at her. “I can assure you, I have been invited by your queen.”
Her blue, swirling-mist eyes caught on the cigar as she stopped before me. “Where did you get that?”
“From the shed…” I waggled the cigar to the right. “Over there somewhere.”
Her scrutiny ran up and down my clothing, and then snagged on my eyes and hair. Suddenly, she groaned quietly and rudely snatched the cigar out of my hand. “Your Highness, this is mine.” She waved the cigar back and forth between us. “And you are going to wish in about five minutes that you had not stolen it. Nor decided to smoke itafterstealing it.”
“Why ever not?” I crossed my arms and sniffed down my nose at her. “My father smokes them all the time.”
“Not these, I can promise you that. I make these myself. It’s my own special blend.” She sighed heavily, grabbed my right arm, and started dragging me back to the castle. “Hurry up. You’ll want to be sitting down.”
“What…What in the realm are you doing?” I yanked at my arm in her grasp, but, Fairy, this woman was strong. I barely kept up with her brisk pace, either. “Unhand me!”
