I jerked my head back and pouted. My finger waggled at my soul mate and my gaze found my father’s. I asked grumpily, “Does he not understand this was my first time on the ocean?”
“I don’t believe he does, my daughter.”
My attention swung back to my soul mate. I shouted, “Don’t be an asshole!” Then I stomped back to my chair and sat my bottom down soundly, scowling at my father. “He is such a Fae damned asshole.”
Father’s lips twitched. “I won’t disagree with you.”
Suddenly, a heavythumpsounded right behind me. And my soul mate remarked with jealousy biting his tone, “You have better chairs than I do, King Traevon.”
“I won’t disagree with you, either.” King Traevon smirked.
I turned my head around and flashed my fangs. “This is myfirst voyageon a boat, shifter. Be nice to me.”
“So I heard you say,” King Athon replied softly and moved around my person to sit in the only remaining empty chair. As he placed his traveling satchel on the wooden boards, his solid black eyes found mine—and I tried very hard not to ogle his body in his swimwear. “I apologize for being rude before, elf. I did not know.”
I sniffed down my nose at him…but nodded. “It is all right. I know I am over excited right now.” I tried not to…but I blurted excitedly, “Merfolk swam up to our boat!Fourtimes. They aresobloody fast. Oh, we saw a blue whale, too! And the stars were so beautiful last night at sea. I fell asleep almostinstantlyto the rocking boat.” I snapped my fingers for emphasis. “And then I saw dolphins! That was my favorite.”
My soul mate rubbed his lips together in the silence and glanced at my father, before looking back at me. It took a moment for him to speak, but when he did his voice was choked and gruff. “That is nice, elf. I am pleased you’ve been entertained.”
Instantly, I scowled at him. “Do not laugh at me.”
His black brows lifted. “I am not laughing, am I?”
“I can feel it,” I explained slowly and tapped my chest, right over my Fae-spark. Where a tiny piece of him resided. “You are laughing inside.”
King Athon sat back suddenly on the chair and relaxed, while he chuckled softly in his deep timber. “It is not what you think. I’m laughing because I think you’re charming right now in your excitement.”
“Oh.” I teetered my head side to side in thought. “Yes, I suppose that does make sense.” My expression was sheepish. But I still sniffed down my nose at him. “Thank you for explaining.”
“You are most welcome.” King Athon gradually pulled his gaze from mine to appraise my father with careful consideration, taking his time in doing so. “I received your missive. I cannot say that I am pleased with it, but I do understand why you said what you did. So, thank you for covering for my actions.”
Father inhaled heavily, his chest rising grandly with it, and stated clearly, “I apologize for sending a messenger with that information. I should have waited until we could speak face to face. It was wrong of me to hide behind a messenger, and I deeply regret it.”
My attention flew back and forth between them.
Warily.
They were…actually being respectful.
I etched this moment in time into my brain.
It was doubtful this would happen often.
“Your apology is accepted.” King Athon dipped his head to my father, and then he returned his powerful gaze back to my person. “Are you ready to go into the ocean, Princess Trixie?”
Immediately, I wore a grand smile. “I have my swimwear on, do I not?” I pulled at the thin, black strap on my shoulder and allowed it to snap back on my skin. “I am as prepared as I’ll ever be.”
“That is a good thing, my heir.” King Traevon shouldered his water-proof satchel as he stood. “Because all of the rulers are now here, and it is almost high noon.”
King Athon and I stood as well.
I grabbed my satchel, as my soul mate lifted his.
“Put on your star, my daughter.” King Traevon lifted the small, star shaped, caster-spelled seashell he uncovered from his satchel and pressed it to his right temple. It would allow him to breathe underwater and not die from the pressure. “It is time.”
I found mine in my bag and did the same, shaking my head hard back and forth to make sure the caster-spelled seashell stuck to my skin properly. Only those invited into the Merfolk Kingdom were given these by the merfolk royal guards. One must return them when leaving the Merfolk Kingdom.
If one did not…
