Page 61 of Fae Games

“Unity,” he said between panting breaths. “Please allow me to court you.”

“I’m still going to mate with Princes Caulden and Rory.”

“Please consider me to be your third.” He drew back and frowned. “Not now, but in the future. I knew about the conspiracy to have you sent to the Dark Fae Prison and didn’t act. If you can’t forgive that, I’ll under—”

I placed a finger on his lips. “If tonight’s ritual doesn’t work, will you do everything you can to help me find Helen?”

“I swear to you on all that’s precious,” he said.

“That’s good enough.”

Hope shone in his eyes. “You’ll consider me?”

My belly made an excited flip, but I controlled my expression. The answer was three yeses, but I didn’t want to seem too eager or too forgiving. “Let’s give courting a try.” I pressed a chaste kiss on his lips and drew back. “See you tonight.”

With a gallant bow, he stepped into the carriage. I stood at the doorway, watching the horses spread their white wings and launch themselves into the air. Pokeweed was right. Three faerie princes wanted me but somehow, I needed to win the fourth.

“Where have you been?” a voice from behind snapped. “The last thing I saw before Prince Caulden whisked you away was someone trying to arrest you.”

“Oh.” I turned around, wondering why she was so agitated. “I was safe in his suite, and then we went to the Mound.”

Flora placed a hand on her chest and inhaled a deep breath. “Where is he now?”

“He just left in a carriage, why?”

“Every single one of the Fated has been arrested on charges of dark magic. The Duke of Medietas came here looking for you with a bunch of guardsmen. Leave now and get your princes to protect you!”

Chapter 16

I dashed out of the remedial building into the courtyard, where a pair of white horses trotted past, their wings folded into their back. My gaze rose to the glittering towers, but the carriage had already disappeared around the other side of the castle.

The click of the tower door opening across the way made my heart jump into my throat. Before I could see who emerged, I stepped back into the remedial building, where Flora waited for me with two of the classmates who had stood at the dining room doors.

“Why are you still here?” she snapped.

“Princes Caulden and Bradwell have gone,” I replied. “Left in a horse-drawn carriage.”

The boy on her left frowned. “Don’t go back out there. By now, they’ll work out you’re with them and will stake out their tower.”

“Or contact their guards to arrest you,” Flora muttered. “I’m surprised they didn’t do that already.”

I shook my head. “It isn’t as though I told anyone where I went.” My gaze darted down the hallway to the back door. “Do you think I can sneak out?”

Flora exchanged a look with the boy, and they shrugged. She turned back to me. “They spent an hour searching all the rooms in this building for you, even though Mr. Whittaker said you never returned from the beauty contest. I suppose they’re happy that you left.”

I glanced over my shoulder at the door, trying not to imagine a crowd of white-clad soldiers standing behind it. “What if they’re lurking outside?”

“There’s only one way to find out.” Flora shoved one of the boys forward, who stumbled toward the door. She turned to me, determination shining in her dark eyes.

She placed a hand between my wings. “Come up to the dorm and put something on.”

We hurried up the wooden staircase, our footsteps echoing against the stone walls. My mind raced back to this morning’s arrest when that awful guard had whispered threats in my ears. If Prince Rory hadn’t found and dealt with him, I might end up stuck in a cell with that bastard.

Flora shoved open the dormitory door and rushed to the foot of her bed.

I followed after her and frowned. “What are you doing?”

She flipped the lid of her trunk and pulled out a black, hooded cloak. “Put this on. My father used it for sneaking up on kelpies and other wild mounts.”