We weren’t perfect.
But we were worthy of our people. Of our realm.
The rulers did everything in their power to keep the peace.
Tree Man’s shadow hair swayed in the breeze. “You truly believe they are worthy, too?”
“Yes, I do,” I stated without hesitation.
The shadow leaf hair swayed up and down—a nod. He stated, “I will agree then. I will take all of you up to the peak of the mountain.”
“Thank you,” I stated breathlessly.
“You are welcome.” Tree Man grinned, the bark pulling tight on his mouth. “Don’t be frightened of what comes next. And do not move.”
The mountain rumbled under our feet.
We instantly braced our legs further as Tree Man started to grow. Up and up he went into the air until his roots were pulled from the earth, slithering around us as they emerged. The branches—the arms—of Tree Man suddenly swept down.
I stifled my shout in the back of my throat when a lone, thin branch slithered around my waist. My feet left the ground, and then up and up I went into the air, being cradled in the arms of Tree Man.
My wide eyes darted back and forth, making sure I wasn’t alone in this. Once I could see past the shadow leaves, I hissed a relieved sigh through my teeth. The five rulers were all with me in the air, held protectively by their own branch.
I turned my attention to the view.
Oh my Fae. I couldn’t look away.
A tear almost slipped from my eye. There was so much beauty inside the Blood Forest from this vantage point.
The black trees were blooming flowers in the sun.
The thick mist was the protective grass swaying lightly.
The blue stream was the ivy curling through the flowers.
The running animals were the colors of the petals.
I wiped the Fae damned tear away. It had slipped over.
Tree Man started to turn, and I gripped the branch tight around me. The wind whipped my hair, and the sun shone brighter. Tree Man walked on his root feet higher and higher up the mountain, the branches swaying back and forth—with us in them—on his long trek. It didn’t turn my stomach, though. I was too busy viewing all I could still, my eyes stuck down below on the mountain range.
The peak neared. And Tree Man stopped.
He leaned forward on his roots and pushed his branches out to the top, taking us closer to our designation. My feet touched the ground again, and the branch uncoiled from my body and slid away.
I turned to say goodbye to him, but he 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 force—a predator studying prey.
“Well, what do you have to say for yourself?” Father asked bluntly, his tone serious and low. “Don’t just stand there mute. I asked you a question.”
The other three rulers also took a few steps backward.
King Athon rumbled quietly, “I speak to her the same way I do all royals. Ruler or heir, it does not matter to me. I won’t curb the way I speak to Princess Trixie simply because you have an issue—as a father—about it. And do not tell me that is not what is truly bothering you, your precious daughter being pinged with insults we throw at each other all the time as rulers. You brought her into our fold; you need to get used to it.”
King Traevon’s features remained utterly blank. He hadn’t allowed one ounce of emotion to show on his face the entire time s
ince he’d started this conversation. I knew the wheels were turning like crazy inside his mind, the man never with merely a solo thought—he always had a great many thoughts. He simply had to put them all into place before speaking again.
Finally, he stated, “You may be correct, King Athon. I concede for now.”
The shifter king chuckled. “I am correct. You are acting like a father and not a king when it comes to Princess Trixie.”
King Athon was laying it on a bit thick.
I stuck my chin into the air. “He doesn’t all the time. Only in the Blood Forest has it been different.”
I did need to stick up for my king. He did treat me like the heir most of the time—outside of the Blood Forest.
King Traevon’s mien cracked. He scrunched his nose, and muttered, “Fae damned it, King Athon. You are correct. My apologies.”
“It is accepted.” King Athon dipped his head of white hair—and twigs—to my father. “I think it is time we moved along and met the beast waiting for us so patiently.”
Queen Mikko whispered, “It is about time.”
We finally started hiking through the dark trees again, the grass here shining so black that it glittered in the sunlight, even under the mist. The trees eventually opened up to a circular clearing—the direct center and the highest point of the Blood Forest. The creature stood in the middle of the opened space, waiting silently.
The winged wolf sat on its haunches, ten feet tall, with fur so white it was iridescent. The wolf’s muscles bulged all over her beautiful form, and white feathered wings were held closely to her back. Sharp black teeth showed between her parted muzzle, and her fluffy white tail swished lazily behind her.
I stopped next to the others as we first entered the cleared area, only shining black grass and heavy mist that crept up the winged wolf’s legs could be seen. I placed my hands behind my back and waited to be spoken to—because this winged wolf sure as Fairy could talk if that pack of deer did.
The winged wolf tipped her head down in greeting. “Rulers and heir, I am happy to see that you all made it here. I am Ruiuen. And I understand that you have come for an artifact?”
“Yes, the artifact the Fae left behind to counter the awakening giants.” Queen Mikko stepped forward, her head tipped all the way back to see the winged wolf’s fuzzy white face. “Will you tell us how we may obtain it?”
“It is simple for me to tell. But hard for you to find.” Her tail swatted the mist back and forth. Faster and faster. The fog lifted from right in front of her. “There are ten items before me. One is the artifact; the other nine are not. You will pick one individual from your group to send forward. They must choose one object that they believe is the correct artifact. If they pick correctly, you all may leave with it. If it is not picked, you will never be able to try again.”
My eyes bulged, and my mouth dropped open.
We will only receive one try at this?
Oh, my Fae.
The five rulers and I quickly huddled in a circle.
We did not talk at first. Everyone looked vaguely ill.
Queen Alora shook her head. “I can’t do it. The only artifacts I know are the ones resting at the bottom of the ocean. That does not help at all where the giants and the Fae are concerned. Those relics are all made by our own people. Who here has studied about the Fae for over twenty years consecutively?”
Father, Mikko, King Athon, and I nodded.
Queen Alora continued, “Out of you four, who has studied ancient history for over twenty years consecutively?”
Father, King Athon, and I nodded.
“All right. So out of King Athon, King Traevon, and Princess Trixie, who do we think should pick the artifact?”
None one spoke up.
“Come on,” I muttered. “We can do this.”
I wasn’t sure if I believed that, but it was positive to say it.
Queen Mikko said quietly, “I think it should be King Traevon. His mother was a soothsayer, and he is over a thousand years old.”
I stated with much reluctance, “I think it should be King Athon. The giants were a fierce people, and the Shifter Kingdom is the most brutal. King Athon may be able to figure it out.”
King Traevon scratched at his chin. “I believe that Trixie should do it. It’s already been proven that my mother taught her about giants and where to find this artifact in the Blood Forest. It stands to reason, she may have done more than that, but Trixie doesn’t realize it yet until she views the items.”
King Athon grunted softly. “I agree with Queen Mikko. It should be King Traevon.”
“I believe it should be King Athon,” Queen Alora intoned. “As Princess Trixie said, I believe he will connect better with the artifact.”
Everyone turned to look at King Elon. He rubbed the pads of his fingers over his mouth in deep thought. The gorgon king stated haltingly, “I…have to go with culture. I believe King Athon might understand the history of the artifact better.”
Queen Mikko stated quietly, “King Athon it is.”
King Athon popped his neck and rubbed his hands together, nodding to himself and staring over King Elon’s right shoulder at nothing—perhaps giving himself a mental pep talk. He swung around and prowled through the mist—hunting—in his element as he headed toward Ruiuen. The King of Shifters didn’t bother to look up at the winged wolf. Instead, his focus was on the items at her feet.
The mist covering the clearing blocked our view.
I chewed on my dirty thumbnail.
His back was our group’s only view of what he might think of an item. The back of his shirt was already tight over his tensed muscles, but when he was about to move onto the next item, his head slowly turned, already on the move even when he was still looking.
Nine times he did this. Nine times with no indication whatsoever on his thoughts. The tenth didn’t end up being any different, either.
I started gnawing on my other thumbnail.
King Athon roamed up and down the items. He went from one end to the other and back again, casually walking by them now. The shifter king did this ten times before he stopped near where he had begun. He bent down into a crouch to study the piece.
I stood up on my tiptoes, barely able to see his head over the mist. He cocked his head this way and that way, studying the object very closely. My eyes squinted to see better, but it didn’t help much.
King Athon pressed back up to his full height.
He peered up at Ruiuen and held up an item into the air.
It was a long key…in the colors of our five kingdoms.
Ruiuen asked, “Is that your choice, King Athon?”
“It is,” he answered clearly. “This is the first artifact.”
Ruiuen tail whipped back and forth behind her. “You are correct, King Athon. The Key of Kingdoms is the artifact you are searching for.”
Air exploded out of my chest. “Thank you, Fae.”
Ruiuen looked at our group at the edge of the clearing.
That was all she did.
Except the four rulers standing next to me dropped to the ground in a heap, piled all together, bumping into my legs.
Terror ripped through my chest. I quickly dropped down, and frantically smacked at my father’s face. I screamed, “Father! Father!”
“Do not be alarmed, Princess Trixie. They are merely asleep. I wish to speak with King Athon and you alone for a moment.” Ruiuen’s feathered wings ruffled against her fur back. “Please, come over here.”
At Father’s neck, his blood was beating hard in his veins.
He was still alive.
I stifled a sob as the fear suddenly receded. I coughed into my hand and sucked in a harsh breath, before pulling up to my full, almost five-foot height. I stepped around the sleeping rulers and walked at a sedate pace to where Ruiuen and King Athon stood. I was in no hurry after the fright she had given me.
I stopped next to the shifter king and crossed my arms. “I am here now, Ruiuen.”
<
br /> “Thank you,” she stated softly. The winged wolf held out her right paw and waved at the mist, and then placed her paw gently back down where it had been before. “King Athon, Princess Trixie, on the ground, there is a seed. The seed is yours to take no matter what. But you must choose here who takes it with them. Also, King Athon, if you choose to take the seed, you must hand over the artifact to Princess Trixie.”
“Why are you speaking to only us?” King Athon asked coolly.
“Why do you think?” Ruiuen cocked her wolf head.
“I asked you the question, Ruiuen. I would like an answer.”
Ruiuen tail thumped on the ground unhappily. “Next question. Or I shall take the seed back.”
King Athon snarled softly in his throat, but quizzed, “What is the seed for?”
“For when you need to use it. You will know the time.”
I lifted a red eyebrow. “You aren’t very forthcoming right now, Ruiuen. Why is that?”
“I don’t have to be.” Her wolf eyes narrowed on us. “You can either take the seed or leave it.”
King Athon stared at the ground where a tiny white seed lay. The seed was very innocent looking. There appeared to be nothing wrong with it. But we didn’t know what in the Fairy it was for.
I leaned toward him, and asked, “What are you thinking right now?”
“That I’m going to give you the artifact.” He slammed the key against my chest, his eyes still on the seed. “Take the Key of Kingdoms. I’m taking the seed.”
“All right,” I stated slowly. I took the key from his hand.
The shifter king had lost his bloody mind.
He dipped down to the ground and carefully scooped up the seed, and just as carefully placed it in a small pocket inside his bag.
“Is that all you need, Ruiuen?” King Athon asked bluntly. “I’d like to get home.”
“That is all….” Ruiuen suddenly disappeared.
Just gone.
Groans from behind us sounded.
I said under my breath, “That was most definitely odd.”
King Athon grunted. “Yes, it was. Now get back over there so they don’t think anything is amiss.”
King Athon dropped to the ground.
Marvels and Misfits Page 19