ability with a sword.”
He snorted and yanked my dagger out of the throat of the dead and tossed it onto the ground next to me. “That is as accurate as me saying we now have food for quite a while.”
“You’re sick,” I grumbled.
“And my belly will be full.” King Athon grinned. He rubbed at his stomach and peered around with glee. “Who wants to help me with these?”
Queen Mikko stomped forward. “I’ll do it. These Fae damned creatures made me fall into my own piss.”
Father tipped his head back and laughed loudly. “I wondered where you had run off to.”
“A rat would have been better than that pack of deer.” Queen Mikko sneered. “I should have stayed with Queen Alora and Princess Trixie.”
I pointed at her in agreement. “The rat was polite.”
* * *
My stomach purred in happiness. Those beasts had made a fine meal. The meat had also given me energy. Not too much, but I wasn’t quite as shaky as I was before. I asked bluntly, “Are we going to sit here all day, or are we going to search like we should be doing?”
The tent was our backdrop as we sat around a campfire, with the mist over our heads and swirling around our bodies. The sun was at high noon, and this was the best light we would have today.
King Elon picked at his teeth with a sharp stick. “We’re waiting for the food to settle. That was a large meal compared to what we’re used to here.”
Queen Mikko snorted softly. “You say that every day.”
“Let’s go.” King Athon stood to his feet and brushed off his leather pants—brown this time after changing. “King Elon and Queen Alora, make sure the fire is put out properly. King Traevon, clean up from our meal. Queen Mikko and I will pack up the tent.”
King Elon sneered. “I think I want to sit longer.”
“Then you will get left behind, and you’ll need to catch up.” King Athon bared his teeth. “Do you wish to traipse through the Blood Forest alone?”
“I don’t know who made you our leader here, but you are Fae damned annoying,” King Elon griped, though he did stand up. “Queen Alora, we apparently have another job to do.”
“What would you like me to do?” I asked patiently.
King Athon scowled down at me. “Rest while we work, Princess Trixie. You will not be holding us up today.”
I lifted my chin high. “That could not be helped before.”
“Just shut up,” he growled. “I am tired of listening to your elven voice.”
“Like your shifter accent is any better?” I snipped. “Did you learn to speak from an actual animal? You do realize you don’t have to growl every Fae damned word out of your mouth, right?”
“Please, Princess. Your voice sounds like you have something stuck up your Fae damned ass, it is so clipped. Or do you? Did you play with your little toy while you changed your clothes and popped it into the wrong hole?”
Father barked, “King Athon! That is enough.”
Queen Mikko snorted. “Yes, enough, you two. We are going to lose the light if we don’t get this done.”
I flashed my fangs but stayed silent.
King Athon growled at the entire group and then prowled through the mist toward the tent. He may not have his power right now, but he still walked like a tiger. The shifter king was Fae damned disgusting.
I rubbed my stomach, hoping nothing came back up because of him. Simply seeing King Athon set my fangs on edge. If I could rip his throat out, I would be so happy right now because meeting that bloody man had destroyed my life.
I sighed hard and lay back—resting.
The rulers moved around in silence. None talked to the other. I didn’t blame them one bit. Currently, I was only stuck with one ruler I couldn’t get rid of, while they had four others they were stuck with. I couldn’t even imagine being in their slippers. It must be damned exhausting.
I closed my eyes. It was peaceful this way.
“Get up! We’re leaving.” The toe of a boot kicked my hip—right on my bruise.
“Ow!” I shrieked, rolling instinctively away from the attack.
King Elon’s green eyebrows snapped together in confusion on his face, the pale blush of his silver skin wrinkling on his forehead. “What did I do?”
“Nothing, I’m fine,” I hissed, my cheeks instantly pinking in embarrassment. I stood to my feet and brushed off my clothes that were littered with rotted leaves. “It’s just a bruise. You