a weapon.”
“I suppose so.” I popped another dried fruit into my mouth. I spoke around my food, “You and mother think much alike. That must be pleasant, having a soul mate you can connect with.”
“It is.” Father’s fingers continued to play with the mist above us. “May I ask you a question, my daughter?”
Both of my eyebrows rose. “Of course.”
“What do you want in a soul mate? You speak of connection. Is that all you wish for?” King Traevon drew a heart in the mist.
I sighed heavily. “I do not wish to talk about this.”
“You are the one who brought the topic up.” King Traevon stopped drawing in the air and stole one of my pieces of dried jerky, gnawing on it with his right fang. “I do have another question.”
“What?” I groaned.
“Have you stolen anything recently from my castle? Your mother said that we are missing quite a few of our soul-mated anniversary gifts.”
“No,” I stated slowly, my brows puckering in confusion. “What gifts are you missing?” I had only stolen one.
“Too many to name off. You can ask your mother. She has compiled a list.” Father snickered softly. “My love is ready to take the whole realm down to find them.”
“Tell Minnie to start with the servant who brought them to you while you sat upon your throne looking down at everyone.” King Athon’s voice came out of the dark. His form slowly appeared, the mist curling around his body as he prowled toward us. “She saw every gift that you received.”
“Hmm. She is the individual who told us they were missing. I will give Minnie your sage advice.” King Traevon swiped another jerky from my blanket, eyeing the shifter king as he stopped at our feet. “Is there an issue? Why are you out here?”
“I’m making sure you both stay alive,” King Athon snarled. He waved his hand harshly through the mist. “This Fae shit is only getting murkier the later the night falls.”
I snorted softly. “I do not believe the King of Shifters finds the mist beautiful, my king.”
“It would seem he does not.” Father continued gnawing on his food.
My beastly soul mate dumped his traveling bag on the ground and started digging through it. “At least, it is not as cold as the Blood Forest.”
I flicked my eyes to my king, my lips twitching. “You two do agree on one thing, at least.”
Father snorted.
The King of Shifters sprawled out beside me, fluffing his blanket over himself. “Queen Mikko is waiting outside for Queen Alora. They will be joining us.” He sniffed at the air and lifted his head in my direction, scanning the food I had laid out.
“You may have some,” I muttered reluctantly.
A fast shifter hand grabbed half of them.
I blinked. “All right. No more for you.” I quickly stuffed three pieces of dried fruit in my mouth. Around my too large bite, I grouched, “Didn’t you bring your own provisions, shifter?”
“Of course, I did.” His crunching was loud in the stillness. “But yours smell better. And, I dare say, tastes better? Is this from your own stock?”
“Yes, it is.” King Traevon snatched a small handful. “I’ll give you some of mine tomorrow, my daughter.”
I huffed. “I hope so. The shifter over there will be stealing the last of mine if he doesn’t slow down.” I stuffed two pieces of dried jerky in my mouth, truly fearing the tiger would steal the rest of my food.
“It had crossed my mind.” King Athon chuckled darkly. He shoved the last of his portion into his mouth and gazed upward. His eyes evaluated the statue above us. “Do you suppose this is Queen Brin?”
“I believe it is.” I followed his eyes all the way to the dagger in the statue’s hand. “But you are missing the real threat, King Athon.”
He turned his head in my direction, cocking an arrogant eyebrow, his solid black shifter eyes hardly visible in the dark. “What would that be?”
“All of the women standing with her.” I pointed to all of the women who stared seductively at the original caster, each one blatantly showcasing their bodies, trying to woo him. “They are distracting him while she creeps in the shadows.”
It was quiet for a few moments.
“I believe you are correct, my heir,” Father muttered in wonder. “That was quite the deduction.”
King Athon’s gaze never left mine. He stated softly, “You have a great father, Princess Trixie.”
My king snapped his mouth shut.
I drew my brows together, muttering, “I am confused.”
“Your father didn’t let royal