With a nastygrowlcaught in my throat, I cracked my eyes to the doorway. And I froze in discomfort, my nostrils flaring with decorum all but lost.
King Athon stooped under the short arch of the doorway and stilled in place just as fiercely as I was. His black gaze began to widen at the sight before him. Those shocked, ogling eyes flew all over the naked flesh he could see that the blanket didn’t cover, taking in the scene.
My best friend opened his mouth.
And then he quickly shut it.
My king blinked like a drunk man.
Then he grabbed the door handle.
Exceptionally slowly, he backed out of the room, dragging the door with him, shutting it as quietly as possible.
I stared at the closed door and groaned, knowingexactlyhow this would play out.
Knock.
Knock.
Knock.
Caspian’s head flew up from my chest, white hair askew and entirely endearing—much to my surprise—with his fuzzy, sleepy elven eyes staring down at me. He gazed for a long moment at my tired mien and pinged his attention to the doorway.
He shouted, “It is too early! Leave me be.”
Knock.
Knock.
Bang.
Bang.
My soul mate snarled at the door and began crawling off me, growling softly, “I’ll get rid of them. You still look exhausted.”Not one mention of himnotstaying on his side of the bed and being the cause of my exhaustion.
So I shut my mouth, let him throw on a robe, and stomp to the doorway. With much gusto, the drowsy and irate elf threw the door open with furious intent…and then he froze entirely. “Fucking Fae. This is not how one should wake.”
My chest shook on silent laughter as he tried—and failed—to slide to the side and tuck the door closer to himself, attempting to hide me in his bed. He cleared his throat and stated studiously, “Is there something I may help you with, King Athon?”
“Yes, there is,” King Athon snarled gruffly and pointed directly at me over the elf’s head. “I need to talk with my personal guard…if you’re done with him.”
Caspian’s shoulders sagged in defeat, glancing over his shoulders at me—with cheeks as red as roses in full bloom. He flashed his fangs at my amused expression and snipped, “The bloody savage is here to see you.” Then, with marked flair, he threw the door open for my king’s entry and charged toward his closet, his robe swooshing out behind him around the ankles. “Do try to keep him off my bed.” The closet doorslammedshut behind him.
My lips twitched as I gradually sat up, rearranging the sheet over my waist for decency’s sake—and the fact my soul mate had glared daggers at my almost exposed crotch before disappearing, his meaning crystal fucking clear.
I lifted my black brows high on my forehead while my king walked inside the bedchamber and closed the door behind him. I didn’t bother babbling bullshit. I merely waited for the interrogation.
“So.” King Athon leaned back against the door and crossed his arms, his potent gaze locked on mine. “This is new.”
Grunting, I rested against the headboard and tipped my head slightly back—truly fucking exhausted still—to look at him through half-lidded eyes. “And even more complicated than you already think.”
“Such as?” King Athon drawled.
“I went to spy on him like you requested. I discovered he’s Princess Trixie’s cousin, Marlon’s son. He also has a unique power like I do. His ice-elven power in league with royals,” I stated everything factually, not about to hide shit from my king. Then, when his eyes flashed with surprise—and death—I added, “He’s also my soul mate as of a few days ago. The urge hit when I was watching him.”
The King of Shifters tensed brutally, with his nostrils flaring in shock. “Please tell me you are jesting?”
“Not in the slightest.” I yawned so large my jaw cracked as I rubbed at my tired eyes. “So keep your claws to yourself.”
