Pixie Problems (Dani’s POV)
Once Kat and I had hugged, bounced in a circle, and hugged again, we calmed down enough to realize that there was a small army of angry Elves watching us closely. King Aiden deemed I was not a threat after a quick interrogation and allowed the Dwarves and I inside the castle walls. I was shown to a room where I was scrubbed and dressed before being escorted back down into the hall where Kat sat anxiously waiting and picking at her dinner.
I watched carefully from a seat at another table. She seemed all too at ease sitting at the king’s table. She laughed and smiled with the crowd around her. Her eyes would flit to me often and she would motion me in her direction to join her, but I opted to watch. King Aiden didn’t seem outwardly mad but his reputation was fierce and merciless. What had she done to secure his favor so quickly? My stomach churned, leaving me feeling sick and uneasy. When she was finally able to excuse herself she came to find me and guided me back to her chamber.
“I’m so glad you are here. I told Hue where I was once I had enough information to get him here. I am surprised you arrived first.” She sank onto a large blue velvet covered bed.
“You seem at ease with Aiden. You should be careful, he’s a dangerous man.” She shrugged at me.
“He’s fine. When he lost his father he went through a hard time. He didn’t know how to run a kingdom. He’s mellowed with time. He’s rather kind.” She seemed very sure of herself.
“Can you let Hue know I have arrived? The Dwarves that the Kringles helped me obtain were able to cross into this realm, but it is otherwise sealed. We can’t go back without them and I doubt Hue will be able to make it in.” I heard rustling outside the door and by the time I reached it there was a knock.
The door swung open and the King entered. His gaze swept over us both. “I wanted to make sure you were both setting in.”
“Your Majesty didn’t need to be concerned with us,” I told him, ignoring the cold chill that ran down my spine.
“Lady Dani, I’m sure the maids could find you your own chamber if it suits you better?” Alarm bells in my head rang loudly.
Kat stood up and smiled broadly. “No, I would really like my friend to stay with me.”
Aiden hesitated for a moment, considering Kat’s large smile. His features softened and he nodded. “As you wish.” He turned to leave then stopped. “Rest well ladies, it sounds like the two of you are in short supply of that lately.”
When the door finally closed firmly behind him I took a deep breath then quickly moved the bolt to lock it. “Well, I will sleep better with the lock.”
Kat sat looking at me with a raised brow. “What are you so afraid of?”
“Something isn’t right.” I crossed the room and dropped onto the bed beside her. “Don’t you get the feeling that something is off here?”
She shook her head quietly. “I think the stress of the last month coupled with the awakening has gotten to you. Aiden means me no harm.”
I paused. “He does seem a bit fixated on you. You did tell him you have a Soul Mate, right?” I sighed, realizing what I was saying. “I mean you didn’t flirt your way into getting him to…. no, that’s now what I meant either.”
She rolled her eyes and smiled. “Yes, I told him I was a Soul Mate and who I was and how I came to be here. It was that or let him think I was an intentional trespasser.” She slid off the bed and turned her back to me. “Now, if you wouldn’t mind, please unlace me, I’m tired and looking forward to my first good night of sleep in a month.”
I fumbled with the laces and she with mine. Finally our dresses slid free and she hung then neatly over the back of a small sofa. “Scoot over.” She slid to the far side of the bed and waited for me to crawl in before turning out the lights. She may have been looking forward to a good night of sleep, but I personally was tempted to sleep with one eye open.
