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My lips curved upward, my fingers sliding over the bumpy rind of a huge citrus as I passed it. It shuddered at my touch, swelling much larger.“I’m not skipping a meal. Just enjoying my new life as a fae farmer.”
He chuckled.“I’m glad.”
“I’m heading up now. Did you find anything?”
“Nothing.”His voice grew frustrated.“My sister is bothering me about socializing with the elves. Would you be willing to eat in the dining room?”
“Sure. I guess she’s the diplomatic one between the two of you.”
“Undoubtedly. There has never been much need for diplomacy before, which makes it that much worse now.”
“I can imagine. Will the elves be offended by my curved ears?”
“Only if they want my swords in their chests,”he grumbled.“They’re aware of my bond to you, and most elves pride themselves in being graceful and polite.”
“So the opposite of fae?”I teased.
“Exactly. One of the elven leaders is here too—Alida. She’s half shifter, so less uptight. She’s the one who told me and the other kings that we needed to mate with humans. Unlike the rest of the elves, she’s trustworthy, and visits the fae kingdoms often.”
“Have you asked the elves for help with your murders?”
“Yes. The killer doesn’t seem to use magic, so the elves haven’t found anything. He or she also doesn’t use weapons, so we believe it’s some sort of poison, though we have yet to find any proof of it.”
“I could take a look,”I suggested.“If it’s plant-related, maybe I could find something?”
“If we don’t find anything in the next few days, I suppose it’s worth a try.”His response was grudging, but I already knew he didn’t like the idea of having me around the bodies. It wasn’t that he didn’t want my help, he just thought it was risky for me because of my humanity.
Bright reached the castle, and I looked around the entrance in surprise. My vines were spreading much farther down the hallways than they had been the day before—and the flowers on them were bigger, brighter, and more vibrant.
Kierden and Death waited for us near the entrance, and the king greeted me with a fierce hug that made me smile.
“When did the flowers get like this?” I asked, gesturing to the vines as he lifted me off Bright’s back like I didn’t have legs of my own.
“Last night.” The look he gave me was wicked, and my face heated at the memory of what we’d done together. “The fruit looked much bigger, too.”
I supposed it had.
I flashed him a grin. “You must have a really great farmer.”
“The best.”
When he took my hand in his and started down the hallway, I noticed a few of his warriors, both men and women, were gaping at us.
The heat in my cheeks flared a bit, but I did my best to ignore it. If Kierden was willing to hold my hand in public, he must’ve accepted the consequences of it.
“They’re staring at us,”I told him as we walked.
“They should. You’re too damn gorgeous in that dress not to.”He glanced over at me, making a show of looking me up and down.
“Reo is making me a few that fit better,”I admitted.
“I know. He sent a fae over earlier to ask me if I had any color preferences.”Kierden adjusted his grip on my hand, pushing his fingers between mine. The hold was comfortable—really comfortable.
“What did you say?”
“Black.”
“Asshole.”When I flashed him a glare, I found him smirking and realized it was a joke. My lips curved upward.
