Crypts and Crimes (Trixie Towers #3) - Scarlett Dawn Page 0,44
have arrived and are seeking an audience with you and the rulers. King Traevon is currently—”
I held up a quick, stopping hand. “I understand.” I inhaled heavily, all humor gone as I removed my arm from Uncle Marlon’s. I cast my gaze around the overflowing ballroom. “Where are the Misfits now?”
“In the grand entrance, Your Highness.”
My red brows pinched together, a certain ruler still missing from the party. “And King Athon?”
He answered easily, “The King of Shifters asked for a private room some time ago. He and Bishop Marzel are still there. I believe they had food served to them thirty minutes ago.”
I didn’t allow my expression to falter at that revelation.
I suppose it was intelligent that King Athon had stayed away from the ballroom. His inner beast might not have remained hidden for long if he’d watched while I’d danced with others.
“I’ll need you to show me to that room, then instruct guards to bring the rulers there as well. Along with the Misfits.” I wrinkled my nose, detesting giving this order. My eyes lifted to a pair of patient, violet eyes. “Uncle Marlon, you’ll need to fetch King Traevon. If they haven’t been gone long, then…” I would not be finishing that sentence. They were my parents, after all. I didn’t want to think about their intimacies. “Either way, King Traevon can handle waiting. The Misfits can’t.”
My parents had been soul-mated long enough that they could control themselves during a heat, but it still wasn’t comfortable for them. Neither King Traevon or Mother would like this. My uncle was the best person to send in this situation.
Uncle Marlon closed his eyes in resignation. But he nodded, all the same. Those stunning eyes opened again and held my gaze firmly. “This will not be pleasant. It may take more than a few minutes.” My uncle quickly moved through couples, his back ramrod straight, prepared for battle.
I turned my attention to the guard. “Show me the way. You know your orders, afterward.”
He bowed deeply once more, and then he did as commanded.
My sandals were silent on the tiling as I swiftly followed in his wake, the guard keeping to the shadows so as not to alert the guests of our movements. There was no reason to worry the partygoers or cause gossip amongst their groups. I stayed at his back until we exited the ballroom and then strolled next to him through the many curving hallways of my king’s castle.
The guard eventually stopped in front of a door that was already being secured by two sentries in red. He lifted a hand to it. “This is the room, Your Highness. I’ll have the rulers informed and brought here now.”
“Thank you.” I nodded my head to him in appreciation. Then I turned my gaze to the two eavesdropping guards stationed at the door. “Move further down the hallway.” The conversation with the Misfits was not to be overheard.
They bowed low and soundlessly did as I’d ordered.
I opened the wooden door and stepped inside, my emerald eyes scanning the interior of the room. I had been in this one before when I was younger, playing hide and seek with Father. Of course, I had been playing while Father had been furious, thinking I was missing. That had not been a particularly enjoyable day when I was found.
Nevertheless, the room could accommodate the rulers.
Except, there was one problem.
My narrowed gaze halted on a pair of solid honey-brown shifter eyes. I shut the door behind me quickly, muttering, “Where is your king?”
Bishop’s relaxed posture didn’t alter, his booted feet kicked up on the table, and his massive frame reclined in a too small chair. He paused at taking a bite of his cherry cobbler, and then he pointed his fork at the opened window. He smirked, stating easily, “He just stepped out to take a piss.”
My nostrils flared. Bullshit.
He’d better not have been snooping this whole time.
I marched straight to the window and leaned halfway out, glancing slowly left and then to the right. My eyes stopped on a furry tiger that stared right back at me, not five feet away. I gaped at him, utterly dumbfounded.
I sputtered, “King Athon, those are my mother’s favorite flowers you’re relieving yourself on.”
The tiger blinked…and shuffled forward on his paws.
Then he started peeing again—a lot of Fae damned piss.