Page 12 of Fae Games

As he walked to the double doors, a male student rushed after him and placed a hand on his shoulder. They chatted for a bit, and then the male student took off a bracelet and placed it in Elijah’s palm. Elijah flashed the faery a grin and strolled off, still holding the mop.

“I still think he’s vile,” said Flora. “Even if you feel the need to justify sucking on his manhood.”

“There’s no doubt that he’s a low-life,” I said. “But not because he has dragonfly wings. That’s all I meant to say.”

“Well, you didn’t,” she snapped.

“I know, and I’m sorry it came out that way.”

Flora huffed out a long, exasperated breath. “Apology accepted.”

My shoulders relaxed, and I picked up my waffle. “Thanks.”

“Did you know the princes are looking your way?”

“Who?” I turned to the table opposite the throne.

Prince August glowered at me with such a look of intense hatred, it made my stomach shrivel. I dropped my waffle and grabbed a glass of water. “Bloody hell.”

“He’s burning with passion,” Flora drawled.

“You could call it that.” I took several long drags of the water, letting the cool liquid slide down my dry throat. It was the softest thing I’d ever drunk, reminding me of the taste of snowdrops melting on my tongue.

“He’s coming over,” Flora whispered.

“No,” I moaned.

“May I take you for a walk?” asked a deep voice.

My heart rolled over and died. What did he want? “I’m still eating breakfast.”

“You’ve had ample opportunity to eat that breakfast gate. Stand up, or I’ll heat the wood of your chair and make you shoot out of that seat.”

“Fine.” I clenched my teeth and pulled myself to my feet.

Prince August offered me his arm, and I shook my head. He leaned into me and growled, “Everybody, including the king and queen, is watching us. Do you really mean to show them your unworthiness for becoming a royal mate?”

“I’d be delighted to walk at your side,” I squeaked.

He inclined his head in a gentlemanly manner, but there was nothing gentle about his glare. Those terrible blue eyes looked like they could scorch a girl from the inside-out, and I wasn’t looking forward to being alone with Prince August.

I placed my hand on the crook of his elbow and accidentally brushed against his biceps. Prince August stiffened, and his eyes flashed with unbridled horror.

Whatever.

We walked around the dining tables, through the now silent dining hall with me trying to keep my legs from collapsing under the weight of everyone’s stares. Prince August clenched his hard jaw in the kind of expression the people made in Survivor when they had to endure something disgusting for the team.

I could have sworn I saw Queen Titania try to rise from her throne, but King Oberon either restrained her or I was having a bad daydream. As we approached the Fated’s table, Lady Aster pushed back her chair with a loud scrape of wood against marble.

“August, why are you spending time alone with this creature?”

He took her hand and placed it to his lips. “Just a warning to comport herself in a manner that doesn’t bring shame to the woman I admire. A dirty job, but as the eldest, the foul duty falls on me.”

“Don’t strain yourself,” I muttered. “I got the message loud and clear. Can I return to my seat, please?”

Prince August ignored me, but Lady Aster’s face twisted with recognition of my words. Her confused expression seemed to ask why he still needed to speak to me after having uttered the warning indirectly.

My heart sank. I couldn’t remember if there was anything in the rules that said the princes couldn’t assassinate unworthy candidates. The way his muscles tensed under my arms, I got the feeling that Prince August wanted to murder me with his bare hands.