Page 13 of Fae Games

Chapter 4

With long, rapid strides, Prince August swept me out of the dining room and into the hallway, remaining silent while we rounded the corner, and making me sprint to keep up. After a tiring dash through the castle’s interior, he stepped outside into the middle of the courtyard that linked the castle to the remedial building and stables.

The sun shone down from a cloudless sky, bright and unforgiving, much like the sneer marring Prince August’s handsome face. It reflected against the white paving stones, making me squint.

He pulled his arm out from under my hand and wiped away imaginary fleas. “Disgusting.”

I folded my arms across my chest, trying to calm my breathing. The last thing I wanted was for this wanker to think I was excited to be in his presence when I was just out of breath from running. “If you’re angling for a blow job—”

“Silence,’ he snarled. “And keep your horrible halfling hands off me!”

A burst of anger flared across my cheeks, making them itchy and hot. Baring my teeth, I said, “You were the one demanding that I cop a feel.”

Once again, Prince August ignored my words. It was becoming a recurring habit whenever he lost an argument. “What did Helenium tell you about losing her magic?”

The irritation pricking across my skin calmed. “Are you investigating the Fated?”

“It is of no concern of yours,” he said with a sniff.

I took that answer to mean yes. A cool breeze meandered across the courtyard, bringing with it the scent of hay and the sound of horses nickering in the stables. Maybe it reminded me of the wingless beasts that pulled carriages down in Doolish, but the scent calmed my frazzled nerves.

“Alright, then.” My tongue darted out to lick my lips. “Helen only confided in me once, but it’s just as she said last night.”

“Go on,” he rocked forward, impatience lacing his voice.

“Last Samhain, she lost her magic, and her wings went blank. Then the next day, she discovered that her four best friends had become fated to you and your brothers.”

Replacing the expression of arrogant disgust for curiosity, Prince August nodded. “What’s this about the hag?”

“Helen took me to the Mound two days ago—”

“Why?” he asked.

“My sister is missing,” I said.

He loomed over me with his eyes narrowed, and the sun shone down on his golden hair, making the ends glow like white fire. With eyes that resembled a dark, summer sky, and that strong jaw, high cheekbones, and kissable lips, he looked like an avenging summer deity. Too bad he was also a complete asshole.

His lips pulled back, exposing the straightest, whitest teeth I’d seen outside an episode of Extreme Makeover. “How can you have a sister with no memories of your previous life?”

“I have a sister.” The words tumbled from my mouth in a rush of anger. “And a past. Helen took me to the mound to see if my sister was in any of the auction houses.”

“And?”

“She must have bumped into a seeing-hag down on her travels, who told her she had been a victim of dark magic.”

He sniffed. “You weren’t there?”

I shook my head. “Buying weapons from a blacksmith.”

Prince August rubbed his chin. “And Helenium paid, I presume?”

Heat rose to my cheeks, as I remembered Prince Rory rescuing me from the blacksmith’s indecent proposal. And more importantly, what happened next. If I told him that his brother had paid for my weapons, it would only lead to another summer tantrum.

I muttered, “Someone else did. Look, have we finished, because I’d really like to have my breakfast.”

“Do you know what I think?” He leaned down, so his eyes were level with mine.

A jolt of excitement shot through my heart. Or it might have been panic. Right now, with him so close, filling my nostrils with the scent of summer meadows, I couldn’t tell. My body temperature rose, and sweat broke out across my skin, making the luxurious fabric of my uniform suddenly too tight.