Marvels and Misfits (Trixie Towers #1) - Scarlett Dawn Page 0,17

long moment, my heart pounding brutally in my chest, before I stated quietly, “You want me to start coming to the royal summits because you are afraid you might die soon.”

Father stubbed out his cigar and leaned forward. He placed his elbows on his knees and clasped his hands together gently. “It’s best to have the most important bases covered when dealing with an unknown powerful threat. You will need to know the rulers, that is a must to protect our people.”

I sucked in a lungful of oxygen and slowly exhaled, waiting to speak until I was calmer—when my heart was not beating so hard in fear for my father. “When is the next royal summit? How long do I have to prepare myself?”

Without inflection, Father stated bluntly, “Tomorrow.”

“What?” My question was guttural and quiet.

“As I said, the most powerful felt the power in the quake, which only includes the rulers. An emergency meeting has been called so we might discuss the issue together.”

I lost all decorum and ran my fingers through my red hair, yanking it back from my face. My eyes widened as I tried to control my breathing, sputtering and stopping far too much. I gasped, “Tell me what I need to know. The hard details. There’s no time for much else.”

“My mother taught you ample information about them already, but I will tell you more.” He smiled, just the tips of his lips lifting, his emerald regard as patient as I had remembered. “Calm yourself first. If you are not breathing, then you’re most certainly not listening.”

“Har har,” I growled.

But I did close my eyes and concentrated on regulating my air intake, seeing as it was complete Fae shit right now. It took a good five minutes, times between ruined by me freaking out at a wayward thought, but I ultimately got myself under control. I opened my eyes and cracked my neck before peering back up to my father with a calm demeanor.

“Ready?” he asked evenly.

“Yes.”

“I will introduce you to everyone individually at the royal summit. If someone tries to take you aside to speak privately, decline their offer. Only speak to them when I am next to you. Do you understand that? It’s extremely important.”

“I understand. Don’t screw up and let a ruler weasel me into making some backhanded deal. Keep my mouth shut unless you’re able to overhear the conversation and dictate the outcome.”

Father grunted and then chuckled quietly. His eyes lighted with humor, crinkling at the edges. “I think we’re understanding each other perfectly.”

“I prefer the straightforward method of speech, but I can pretty it up for you if you prefer? Yours did sound much more diplomatic than my version.” I grinned when he merely shook his head in exasperation. I sat back on the sofa, tossing my arms over the top of it for comfort, done with playing the perfect role of a submissive princess—it was time for business. “What else should I know?”

“Your ultimate reason for being there is to watch and learn. That is what you should know and do.”

I flicked a dismissive hand on the top of the couch. “Done and done. Keep going. That one was too obvious.”

“Queen Alora and King Elon are incredibly close. They almost always vote the same way, and they’ve ruled the longest of any of us. It’s near impossible to break them apart, and even harder to disagree with them—because they always back each other’s ideas. They’ve seen too many rulers come and go, except for themselves. The two believe they are better than everyone else. Simple as that.”

“Egotistical and a superiority complex. Understood. Those are their weaknesses.”

“By the Fae, she’s really catching on.” Father smirked and winked. “Next, don’t let Queen Mikko’s mere fifty years as a queen fool you. She’s three hundred years old and brilliant. Her only folly is her heart.”

“What of it?” I didn’t comprehend his meaning.

“She cares too much. She cares about everything. Queen Mikko votes yes for every bill put before her and every treaty her people beg for, no matter how low her kingdom’s coffers become. If she’s not careful and doesn’t start using that brain of hers, her tender heart will be her undoing and her younger sister will kill her off to take her place.”

I nodded slowly. “All right. Queen Gives-All will probably be dead soon.”

“Believe me, we’d rather have her as their queen than her sister, so pray to the Fae that she changes her ways soon. Her sister is a real