Marvels and Misfits

by Scarlett Dawn

  I raced across the clearing, then ducked low into the mist, pretending to be one of the victims, too. “Father?”

  “Trixie! Are you all right?” King Traevon asked.

  “I think.” I waited an appropriate two seconds. “But…I have the Key of Kingdoms in my hand. What does that mean?”

  Suddenly, he whooped from the ground. “I was right! Only my daughter would enter the Blood Forest and come out with a prize instead of her death.”

  I gradually stood and pretended to glance around like everyone else. “Where did Ruiuen go?”

  King Athon rubbed his forehead as he stalked across the clearing. “She must have knocked us out and left.”

  “And given my heir the Key of Kingdoms.” Father smirked. “Princess Trixie has it now. Apparently, Ruiuen wanted her to have it. Not you.”

  Good Fae, Father. Knock it the Fairy off.

  King Athon’s solid black eyes closed in on mine, and he growled, “Let me see it.”

  I lifted the key up and shrugged a delicate shoulder. “It was not my fault it was given to me.” That was the Fae damned truth.

  The shifter king hissed under his breath—he played the pissed off part well. “Are you fucking shitting me?”

  “No, I am never shitting on you.” I deadpanned.

  A gurgling noise sounded in his throat, and then he walked away to start pacing back and forth through the mist, really perfecting the role of a furious shifter king.

  Father chuckled quietly. “Well, now. This is pleasant.”

  I laughed long and hard and patted his back with my free hand. “I was thinking we could go home now. I would adore a hot bath. And an actual damned toilet.”

  “Rightly so.” Father nodded once. “Let us go home now! Hurry up before a disaster strikes.”

  I do not think he was joking.

  The five rulers circled around me.

  Queen Mikko asked, “What exactly is supposed to happen when we do this?”

  “We’re supposed to be ‘freed from the Blood Forest,’” I muttered. “I am more than happy with that. Everyone has to touch the key at the same time.”

  They squeezed in further, nearly squashing me.

  I coughed hard. “My good Fae, do we stink.”

  “Shut the fuck up, elf,” King Athon growled quietly.

  I really couldn’t wait to be away from this prick.

  “Touch the damned key so we can get home!” I barked.

  A finger from each ruler pressed against the key.

  I sucked in a deep breath as my Fae-spark lit back to life.

  Oh, how I have missed you!

  All my injuries were healed in a matter of moments.

  Never leave me again!

  Then my eyes widened in shock as I looked around.

  “Holy Fairy,” Queen Alora stated.

  The five rulers and I stood inside the royal summit conference room at High Pointe, and we were not alone.

  The Misfits and Bishop rested against the circular glass wall.

  Blue Louie puffed on a cigar and spoke in his deep voice, “How was your trip?”

  Red Louie snickered. “They look like hell. It must have been excellent.”

  Gold Louie danced in a circle, pumping his fists in the air.

  Black Louie said in his monotone voice, “I must take the artifact from you now, Princess Trixie.”

  “I beg your pardon?” I quipped, yanking it close to my chest. The rulers were still closed in around me. “You aren’t taking this from me.”

  “I assure you, I am. Just as I will take all artifacts if they are retrieved. They must be kept safe.”

  King Traevon’s shoulders tensed. “Are you saying the Elf Kingdom isn’t safe?”

  “I am saying that the artifacts will go with me. I have seen this. I will protect each one against all enemies, if you manage to collect them. You must hand over the Key of Kingdoms now.” He waited, but I didn’t move. “Or I can have Louie take it from you.”

  I wasn’t positive which one he meant.

  But I didn’t like the sound of it either way.

  I stalked across the room and slammed it into his waiting green palm, and hissed, “If I don’t get this back when I need it, I will find a way to end you. Do you understand, Louie?”

  “That won’t be needed,” he stated in one tone. “I will protect it until it is needed for the realm.”

  “You had damned well better.” I started to turn and then sniffed in Blue Louie’s direction. I knew that smell. “Stay out of the royal bedchambers, Louie.”

  He puffed on the cigar and blew the smoke in my face.

  I shook my head. “That just about sums up how the trip went.”

  “Where do we go next?” King Elon asked.

  Black Louie stated, “The Shifter Kingdom. I will tell you more at a later date when I have the book with me.”

  The Misfits strolled toward the door—Gold Louie was still dancing on his scrawny green legs with his arms flailing about. The door shut soundly behind them.

  I peered across the room. “Father, let us leave. Please.”

  “All right, my daughter.” King Traevon said his goodbyes to the other rulers, and then hooked his arm in mine. He walked us toward the door. “I hope your mother hasn’t been too ill while I’ve been gone.”

  “I’m sure she’s fine now, Father.” I glanced over my shoulder.

  King Athon was speaking with Bishop.

  I bared my fangs at him. He had a seed.

  I had nothing.

  The Fae damned prick.

  CHAPTER FOURTEEN

  Conspiracy of a king:

  Was my fucking soul mate even alive before I met her?

  She’s like a goddamn baby bird waiting to be crushed. She simply flaps her wings and toddles along…and then a dragon eats her. If I could kill her, I would rip her tiny little throat out and feed it to the geese that weigh more than she does — Fae, how I long to kill her.

  If I “accidentally” chopped off the tips of her ears, would that make me smile in the face of the shit that the Fae handed me? Or maybe her tongue. I wouldn’t have to listen to her damned annoying voice.

  Bishop slammed the royal bedchamber door closed behind us. “Are we leaving High Pointe as soon as you bathe?”

  “Fuck yes,” I grumbled. I dropped my sword on the floor but placed my bag carefully on the bed. Then I tore my disgusting clothes off with my claws, ridding myself of the filth. I stalked naked across the room, heading straight for the bathroom. “Do you have any news yet on King Traevon’s brat?”

  “I’ve heard from seven of my sources so far.”

  I splashed water on my face and peered up at my eyes in the mirror. Holy Fairy, I looked like Fae shit.

  I growled, “And?”

  Bishop popped his head into the bathroom, only to lean back against the doorframe and cross his arms over his chest. “Nothing. There is absolutely no information on her anywhere so far.”

  I scowled through the mirror at him. “That cannot be right. We know he kept her secluded from the public until recently, but there has to be a servant…or anyone that interacted with her. What about Sugar Cove. That’s where he shipped her off to, isn’t it?”

  “Yes, but I haven’t heard back from my contact there yet. That’s either good news or bad news. I’ll let you know when I find out.”

  I grunted and braced my hands against the sink. I stared down at my claws that were peeking. “Has anyone challenged me recently?”

  I needed an outlet. Fast. Faster than a teenager jerking off.

  Or I’d be showing up inside an elven princess’s room.

  “A few. What do you need?” Bishop shrugged.

  “The best there is. Perhaps throw them all into the ring with me at the same time. That could be an entertaining change.”

  “I’ll take care of it.”

  I nodded absently and flicked a finger. “Get out.”

  Bishop stalled with hand on the door handle. “Is ever
ything all right?”

  “Yes. I am merely tired.” I speared him with my special variety of fuck you glare. “Leave.”

  “You’re in a mood.” Bishop shut the door on his way out.

  I turned and leaned back against the massive sink. I rubbed at my chest, right over my traitorous Fae-spark. I could feel her again. She was right there pulsing inside me.

  I tapped at my chest with a single claw and stared at the elaborate bathtub. I most definitely needed more information about her. It wouldn’t do not to be more prepared. The elf had already been more trouble than I’d expected in the Blood Forest, albeit helpful at times, too.

  I jerked the bathroom door open and stared out it. “Bring in twice as many men as you had on the princess. Don’t just get me something. I want everything on her.”

  I kicked the door shut and shuddered hard when a chill brushed over my right shoulder. I flicked my hair aside and glanced back, but there was nothing there. I snarled softly and rolled my shoulder. I was Fae damned tired. I would sleep for two days straight after this if I weren’t careful.

  I rubbed at my chest again in aggravation.

  The elven cunt was happy wherever she was.

  Bitch.

  THE ADVENTURES WILL CONTINUE…

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  About the Author

  New York Times bestselling author and award-winner, SCARLETT DAWN, is the mastermind behind the Forever Evermore fantasy series, the Origin paranormal dystopian stories, the Vampire Crown paranormal romance thrillers, the Mark science fantasy saga, and the Lion Security contemporary romance series.

  http://www.scarlettdawn.net