past us at a fast clip. He held his crown up into the air with two fingers, the mud dripping down off it. On his aggravated trek, the King of Shifters muttered to himself, “I swear, the Fae fucking hate me.”
I swallowed down my laugh, and then I caught his crown as he flung it back at me—my eyes rounding in surprise.
“Clean it, elf,” the shifter king growled over his shoulder. “You’re already covered in filth.”
I bared my fangs. But I cleaned the damned crown.
Then I used it to pry the caked mud off my face and clothing, as the five of us followed closely behind him.
I mumbled in surprise, “Huh. This is fairly useful.”
Father’s lips trembled.
Queen Mikko grabbed the crown from me, pulling forward to slam it against the shifter king’s chest. “Just take it. I beg you.”
He looked down at it and then back up, his long legs working easily through the tall brush and mud. “It’s not clean. She can do better than that.”
The Queen of Casters slowed down and whispered too quietly for me to hear…and the crown was instantly sparkling. She sped back up and waggled it in front of him. “Oh my. Princess Trixie works fast.”
King Athon glowered down at her. “Indeed?”
“Just be quiet. You’re beginning to aggravate me.”
“I’m only beginning to?”
“Quite so.” She flicked the crown up into the air and slowed down once more. “Take it if you wish.”
The King of Shifters snagged it from the air and placed it in his traveling bag again. He pointed a finger to the left. “The road she traveled is that way.”
Queen Mikko’s dark brows creased. “That is not the way to the province I investigated.”
“Where does this one lead?” King Elon hissed.
Her head tipped to the side, her chestnut brown, tree bark hair scraping over her shoulder. “There are many paths off that road.”
King Traevon inquired briskly, “Can you track her, King Athon?”
“Yes, I have her scent down.” King Athon removed the strap from over his head and tossed the bag back to me—again. He snarled. “Behave, elf.”
Then he immediately shifted.
I sighed and carried his Fae damned bag.
It was needed this time for the quest.
But I did grab his tail, stopping him. “You’ll be able to tell if anyone’s watching us in the brush?”
King Athon nodded his furry head, wrinkling his nose. He curled and bumped his face against my arm, shoving my hand away from his tail. The tiger bared his teeth once, and then turned and started sauntering down the swampy dirt road.
There was no other option. We followed the kitty.
CHAPTER TWELVE
Confession of a princess:
Why must there always be dead bodies lying about on these quests? Is it a warning from the Fae? I think it is.
I can imagine their voices now, shrieking, “For you shall fall soon, you despicable wench. You are damaged. Die!”
…or something like that.
I GAZED IN trepidation at the outside of the hostel where we were to sleep. “Are you positive this is the only place available? There must be another in this province. It is large enough for three lodgings.”
Queen Mikko sighed softly. “I am positive. Bella Water only has two.”
Her sister was staying at the nice inn. We were not.
The King of Gorgons wrinkled his nose in disgust. “Do they at least have food?”
My own stomach rumbled. It was late. I was hungry, too.
“I believe they do.” The caster queen walked forward. “Stay out here while I procure the rooms.”
I covertly stepped closer to my warm soul mate. With the coming of evening, a chill had settled in the mist. His body heat was welcome at this point, my muscles tired from walking so long.
King Traevon stretched his back. “Someone will need to take a meal to Queen Alora. Who shall go?”
I turned my head to the gorgon king—as did King Athon.
Father was already looking at him.
“Yes, I will take her dinner,” King Elon hissed. “I’ll take over the watch when I go.”
I snorted. Of course, he would.
He added, “You might also allow her to speak freely.”
King Athon snorted. “We’re actually tracking our target this time. She needs to remain silent.” He shifted his traveling bag to his other shoulder, having relieved me of it once he’d found the correct province.
It had taken a long time today.
I peered down at our boots. It had also been very muddy.
Swamps were filthy.
I glanced left and right, the street as quiet as the mist. Lights lit up two of the shops nearby—even this late at night—individuals seen within... “This