was already walking back down the mountain. I sighed and looked at the five rulers.
They were staring after Tree Man.
That ride in his branches had been worth this whole Fae damned trip. It was possible I would miss him a little. I had genuinely liked Tree Man.
King Athon cleared his throat, and rumbled, “We’ve made it here. Let us now see if the Fae are in a generous mood today.”
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Confession of a princess:
Misfits, oh Misfits, how cruel you are.
The prize dazzles the eye; you’ve gone too far.
Louie, Louie, Louie, Louie, I beg your pardon, but I think you’re bizarre.
Yes, I was talking to even you, Louie. You stole Father’s cigar.
(shame on you)
I turned in a slow circle. “Where do we go?”
“I would think straight to the center,” King Elon murmured, glancing in that direction. “I’d say we’re almost there. It may be right after those trees.”
“Just so,” King Traevon stated. “I agree.”
We pulled into a tight group and walked toward the very center of the mountain. No one spoke. We simply looked at everything, trying to find a clue as to what we were walking into.
King Athon grunted quietly and rubbed his hands together, his solid black eyes narrowing to thin slits. “Now that is a real beast we might get to play with.”
“I can’t see it,” I grumbled. I jumped up and down, attempting to get a glimpse. “What are you talking about?”
“Oh my Fae, quit doing that.” Queen Alora shoved her left hand down right on top of my head to keep me from bouncing. “I am embarrassed for you, Princess Trixie. Try not to do that again in front of…well, in front of anyone.”
I snorted and brushed her hand off my head. “I just saved all of our Fae damned asses. A little respect would be appreciated.”
Queen Mikko offered softly, “I am shorter than you, Princess Trixie. I can’t see it either. I’m sure we’ll see it soon enough, and, more than likely, wish we never had.”
King Elon hissed, “No, she is quite fetching. I think you’ll want to see this.”
My eyebrows lifted in surprise. “King Athon, this might be right up your alley. Make sure to give her your best smile—if you have one.”
My head snapped forward from a hard smack. I grabbed the back of my head and glared over my shoulder at the shifter king. “Ow! That was uncalled for.”
“Shut up, elf,” King Athon sneered.
“Don’t touch my daughter again,” Father said softly.
That was his scary voice.
I ignored him—as a daughter does.
“You said you wanted to play with her.” I rubbed at my head and shrugged my shoulders. “And you may need to use whatever shifter charm you have on the beast.”
“That is not what I meant. I am not a damned man-for-hire.” King Athon bared his teeth, and then looked back to where the creature was. “I’m in the mood to have a little fun. The killing kind. And she looks like she’d be a great contender.”
“King Athon.” Father stared forward. That was all.
“I won’t fucking touch her again. Pull your underwear out of your ass and calm down.”
Father sniffed. “These are the underwear my soul mate picked out for me. They fit me just fine, King Athon. She really knows my size, of course, because when she—”
“Father,” I groaned with disgust, cutting him off. “I don’t need to hear this. Pick another topic to make fun of King Athon with that is not my mother.”
King Traevon coughed into his fist, suspiciously sounding like bottled laughter. “I was merely going to say that she knows my size because she is also my stylist. You know she is, Trixie.”
“Sure you were,” Queen Alora mumbled.
“Oh!” I gasped in awe. “I see her now.”
“King Traevon, have you ever thought about having more children and using the stretching technique of old to make them taller?” King Athon chuckled darkly. “You never know, it could work.”
King Traevon jerked around to stare him straight on—making our entire group stop with him. “Are you quite done making fun of my child? I have been listening to it the entire time we’ve been here, and it’s been grating on my bloody nerves. I would never speak so rudely to someone else’s heir, even yours when you have one.”
Oh, if Father only knew the real reason behind it all.
I sighed quietly and took a step back.
I wanted no part of this. I took another step back.
King Athon ran his pink tongue over his white top teeth, and his glare was in full