Doppelganger Blood Read Free Page B

moment.
    He is waiting on the bed when I open the bathroom door.  He is freshly showered and even in my anger, I cannot help but appreciate the sleek muscles under his dark blue t-shirt.  His beautiful green eyes drink me in and I want nothing more than to be in his arms, kissing him, making love.  But his eyes are clouded with guilt and shame, reminding me why I’m angry with him.
    My voice terse, I say, “I’m going to the palace.”
    “I will come with you.”
    “I don’t know, are you sure you want to be in the presence of a killer?” I snap.
    Rising from the bed, Kallen walks to me.  Placing his hands on my cheeks, he says, “You are not a killer.”
    I step back.  “No, but you think something inside me is.”  Truth be told, I’m beginning to think so myself.  How else can the evidence be explained?
    “Xandra,” Kallen pleads.
    With a hearty sigh, I try to shed the anger and fear I am taking out on him.  Looking down at the towel I’m wearing, I say, “I don’t want to take the time to get dressed.”  He knows what I mean and I am instantly wearing an emerald green sarong and dark blue t-shirt.  Giving him the barest trace of a smile, I take his hand in mine and we startle Dagda when we suddenly appear in his office.

Chapter 3
     
    “I believe we have discussed this,” my biological father says through gritted teeth.  “Please excuse the interruption,” he says to the two Fairies sitting in the chairs in front of his desk.  I recognize one as the Minister of Economics.  I can’t remember his name, but I do know he doesn’t like me.  I was rude to him at Kegan and Alita’s hand-fasting and he hasn’t forgiven me.  I do my best to smile sweetly at him but he turns his head with a sniff.
    “We’re here on urgent business,” I say to Dagda.  “We really need to talk to you and Isla.”
    The other man sitting across from Dagda says, “If it concerns the realm, we should all be informed.”  He looks to be about fifty, but it’s so hard to tell with Fairies because of their long life spans.  He could be a hundred and fifty. 
    “Who are you?” I ask. 
    Dagda’s eyes narrow in my direction as he says, “This is the Minister of Foreign Affairs.  Luden, you are no doubt aware this is my daughter, Princess Xandra.”
    I will never get used to the title.  “Nice to meet you,” I manage before saying, “Our business is more of personal matter.”
    I get my ability to sigh heavily from Dagda.  “Gentlemen, if you will excuse us.  We will meet again tomorrow at the same time.”  Both Fairies rise and bow their heads in his direction before retreating from the room.  Neither of them is happy.  Too bad, neither am I.
    “What is so urgent you needed to send me a message instead of simply knocking on m y office door?” a new voice says from the open doorway.  A very annoyed Isla is standing there and I believe she has a headache now.
    Sheepishly, Kallen says, “Sorry, we have urgent news from the Merpeople realm.  It is important enough to fall within the parameters you set forth for sending you telepathic messages.”  Isla narrows her eyes, doubt puckering her face.
    “If this is regarding the Merpeople realm, Luden should be present,” Dagda says, rising from his chair.
    “Only if you want him to know the Merpeople think I killed their Queen,” I say.
    He sits back down.  Isla comes farther into the room and closes the door.  Both look at me expectantly.  Suddenly, I am without words.
    Kallen comes to my rescue as he so often does.  “There is overwhelming evidence pointing to Xandra,” he says.  Okay, he didn’t come to my rescue.  He implicated me.  Seeing the murderous expression on my face, he hurries to say, “We need to figure out how Xandra’s magical signature was left at the scene of the beheading.” 
    Dagda’s is practically shaking with shock and fury.  Unfortunately, I am not quite sure who he is angry with.  “The Merpeople