Blood of Retribution Read Online Free PDF Page B

“Princess,” he drawls.  I could scrape a pound of distaste off his tongue and there would still be some left.  “How nice to see you.”  I don’t believe him.
     
    “Yeah,” I mutter, “you look thrilled.”
     
    Ignoring me, he inclines his head towards Kallen, “Prince Kallen, always a pleasure.”  There was only a small amount of distaste spewing from that sentence.  A lot of Fairies don’t like the fact that Kallen, a full-blooded Fairy, married me.
     
    Kallen is a little taken aback by the use of the word Prince.  This is the first time he’s been addressed as such and I’m not sure he’s any more comfortable with it than I am with Princess.  Without missing a beat though, he says, “Thank you.  We are here to see the King.”
     
    Looking at me like I’m a sight he would like to scrub off his retinas with bleach and a steel brush, he says, “The King has a full schedule today and is not receiving.”
     
    Enough of this crap, I think as a rush of adrenaline hits me.  I step forward and get right in the Fairy’s face.  His dull green eyes open a little wider and I can feel his fear as I step closer.  Apparently, he’s only tough when I’m not standing nose to nose with him with my blood boiling.  “I don’t know you, but already I don’t like you.  I’m a very bad enemy to have, so you might want to make this right before I hit you with so much magic you won’t be able to stand for a week.”
     
    A firm hand grasps my upper arm.  “Xandra, we should attend to our business.”  
     
    Kallen’s soothing voice brings me back from my trip over the macho edge.  What the hell?  Yeah, the guy was rude to me when I didn’t deserve it, but lots of Fairies are rude to me.  I don’t normally threaten them, though.  Well, sometimes I do, but only if they really piss me off.  It’s not usually because of a look and one rude comment.  I look up into Kallen’s bright green eyes that have filled with both love and concern and I nod.  We walk past the Fairy and step through the open door.
     
    This is one of my favorite parts of the palace:  the little balcony area right inside the door that looks down upon the great hall.  It’s a great view of the tree that grows in the center and the river that splits around it.  It’s beautiful and serene, like a Princess’s castle should be.  I smile slightly at that thought and then let Kallen lead me down the stairs to the great hall.
     
    We walk next to the calm river and pass by the bench that is great for reading or simply watching the water flow.  I haven’t been here often, but I do like that spot.  Kallen opens a door on the other side of the hall and we leave the serenity behind as we enter the King’s receiving room.  The doorman didn’t lie, Dagda’s time is being monopolized and we’re definitely not alone.  A sea of black hair and green eyes greet us.  There is a crowd of Fairies milling about and murmuring quietly, and Dagda is sitting on his throne speaking to someone.  Sindri, his assistant, is standing at a podium in front of him taking notes.
     
    “What is this?” I ask Kallen quietly.
     
    “Once a month, Dagda offers himself to the Fairy population.  They can come here to discuss anything.  Their troubles, their desires, their happiness or unhappiness, anything they feel the need to share with him.
     
    Wow, that’s pretty cool.  “What if someone says something he doesn’t like?”  After all, I seem to have gotten my temper and intolerance for being told I’m wrong from him.
     
    Kallen shrugs.  “Most Fairies are smart enough to present their issues in a respectful manner.  Dagda is not known for his patience.”  He gives me a pointed look.  Yeah, I got that from him as well.
     
    Catching sight of us, Sindri waits until Dagda is finished speaking and then speaks quietly in his ear.  Dagda’s eyes find us and he nods.  Moving forward, Sindri says to the crowd, “Please make way