Crypts and Crimes (Trixie Towers #3) - Scarlett Dawn Page 0,1

fine. I’m fine,” I complained as I lifted my head from the desk to stare at the door again. “I merely tripped.”

“Get off my desk, elf,” King Athon barked. His heavy footfalls clomped behind me, and his large palms suddenly wrapped around my biceps from behind, jerking me up straight. His heat warmed my weary bones, my back practically on fire with it. “Have some damned respect.”

“Unhand me, shifter.” I slashed a venomous glance over my shoulder. “Now.”

Had the King of Shifters lost his bloody mind?

Was he trying to start a fight?

“Hands. Off. Her,” King Traevon demanded, his voice frightening in its calmness. “If I have to repeat that, you and I are going to have a real issue—one you won’t like the outcome to.”

King Athon snorted. “I’ll do as I wish when it comes to my property. And that desk right there? Mine.”

“For now,” Father hummed—full of meaning and intention.

The King of Shifters’ hands were rough and bruising, but as he shoved me away from his desk, he whispered oh, so darkly, “Your father saw the tiger book. He knows where it came from.”

I grunted and wobbled from my Fae damned soul mate’s push and kept my feet moving toward the door. Apparently, he hadn’t lost his mind. My eyes widened on my destination, and my backside stayed to the others. I sputtered, “As my king stated, don’t touch me again, Your Royal Highness. Unless you want your eyeballs burned out.”

How in the Fairy was I going to lie my way out of this?

Father was not unintelligent. I needed to think fast.

I needed some kind of excuse for having that book in my bag.

“Shut up, elf, before you fall on your face again.” King Athon snickered with much amusement. “Although, that was entertaining to watch.”

I hadn’t known he had been looking. Shifter prick.

I flashed my fangs, but he couldn’t see them, positioned as I was. I kept my mouth shut after that, only concentrating on my destination—and not landing on the floor. I eventually made it outside the room and gave up all pretenses when I was out of royal eyesight. I stumbled to and fro and held my stomach tight, the cramping from hunger heinous. Mayhap I should have had the delicious mutton pie, even if the shifter bitch had baked it.

I blinked and shook my head. No. I wouldn’t go that far.

I wouldn’t mind burning her again, though.

That thought brought a smile to my face and a little pep to my wavering steps. I staggered through the main reception room, and then I used my left arm for support against the white hallway wall, almost to the royal chambers. I eventually opened King Traevon’s bedchamber door, slammed it closed behind me, and sagged against the wall in relief. It may have taken me far too long to arrive here, but I had accomplished it without tumbling again.

“If only there was food,” I grumbled, casting my attention around the room—an elven sized sleep area with red bedcovers, a few black dressers, a stout vanity, a large mirror, and two doors leading to a bathroom and a closet. There was no food in sight. I nodded my head decisively, and I told myself sternly, “It’s only until morning. You can handle it.”

I shoved myself off the wall and marched on feeble legs straight to the bathroom. I stuck my head under the sink’s faucet and drank greedy gulps of the fresh, cool water. Using the back of my hand, I wiped my mouth.

I straightened to my full height of almost five feet, already feeling better from simply hydrating. My legs held steady as I lifted the strap of my bag over my head, letting it thump onto the tiling. I stripped out of my clothes and turned on the hot water for a relaxing bath.

I stole shampoo off the counter that was purchased from the Merfolk Kingdom, specifically designed to help coarse hair. I’d used my royal firepower twice today, so my hair was brittle. I didn’t bother with bath beads, simply turning the water off, sitting my ass down into the tub, and then leaning my head back.

I groaned long and hard before closing my eyes. “Oh, Fairy. This is good.”

King Athon growled softly, his shifter timbre deep and jagged. “Have you learned your lesson, Princess?”

I shoved my right hand over my mouth, stifling my scream. I jerked swiftly, swishing the water high in the bathtub, and twisted to face my soul mate. Behind my hand, I muttered