Chapter 18
Confession of a princess:
The shifter is needy. It is almost charming. Almost.
When his fur is ruffled, he must be petted so that the beast doesn’t pace its cage. For a worried tiger is dangerous to all.
Standing inside my room in the Merfolk Queen’s castle and worrying about how we could move a kraken off a pile of bones, I halted in the midst of packing my satchel when I heard the smallest creak of wood behind me. I grunted hard as massive arms enveloped me and blinked repeatedly in surprise. “This is not what I expected.”
King Athonchuffedsoftly and smashed his body against my back, and stuffed his face against my neck. He inhaled me deeply, running his nose against my tender flesh. His lips moved against my skin as he whispered, “Are you all right, elf?”
I sighed and let my head fall back against him. “I am. Does that not make me a horrible person?”
“What you did was a kindness.” King Athon pressed his lips behind my ear for a gentle kiss. “You know that.”
“I suppose my king is pleased with his heir.” I snorted and placed my arms over his. “There is that. I extracted the information we all needed and still managed to give the order to kill. He will know his heir is capable now.”
My soul mate hummed low in his throat, a deep rumble. His teeth nipped at my earlobe sharply. “You smell different.”
I lifted a red brow. “I showered. It has been awhile.”
King Athon chuckled. “Yes, I noticed. You no longer reek of sweat and the dust of books.” He nuzzled my throat again, taking a big whiff. “That isn’t what I’m referencing. The scent of jasmine is stronger.”
“Well, I did wash well.” I groaned. “I tried very hard to get every last bit of sand off.”
My soul matechuffedagain. He turned me in his arms and bent his head low, staring deeply into my eyes. He whispered, “Did…he touch you…”
I quickly shook my head. “Not in the way you’re thinking, shifter.” Wrapping my arms around his neck, I pulled his face even closer. “I am fine. I promise.”
My soul mate nodded slowly. “If you promise.”
“Honesty, remember? We are being honest with each other.” I smiled softly and pressed a quick kiss to his plush mouth. “Areyouall right?”
He stood silent for a long moment, before he stated gruffly, “I am better now knowing you were not physically hurt.” My soul mate huffed. “I have been fairly worried since we left the carnival.”
“I felt that. I thought it was about the kraken.”
“It was not.” He brushed the tip of his nose softly against mine. “Kiss me again.”
“If I must.” My lips curved, and then I pressed my mouth to his.
King Athon groaned and pulled me tighter against his body, tilting his head to deepen our embrace. His tongue touched mine and rubbed gently, his lips soft and sure. He nipped at my bottom lip before diving back in for more, his mouth demanding on mine.
I moaned and pushed harder against him.
Abruptly, the door to my room opened.
King Athon and I jumped apart.
My heart beat heavily inside my chest as I snapped my attention to the door, my eyes wide in fear.
Father stood completely still with the door handle loosely gripped in his hand. His emerald eyes flew back and forth between me and my soul mate. He blinked for the longest moment.
Then his features contorted into fury and fire, and he slammed the door closed behind him and barked, “Are you bloody serious?” He marched on heavy feet straight at my soul mate, each boot slamming down onto the wooden floor. “What is wrong with you? The door wasn’t even locked!”
King Athon ran his fingers through his long, white hair, pulling it away from his face. His cheeks puffed with a large breath before he blew it out hard. “It wasn’t the smartest choice, I know. But I needed to see her after what happened at the carnival. I’m sure you understand that.”
“I do understand. But I cannot fathom the oversight of the door. You are far too old to be that careless.” His hands lifted into the air and he started pointing them repeatedly in my soul mate’s face. “We are in a Fae damned crisis on too many fronts right now, and this is not helping! Recklessness will get someone dead!”
