Page 77 of Fae Mates

I bit down on my lip. Sicily had vanished into thin air, and I had been the only person who truly believed she had once existed. What if the owner of this voice was the same?

Pokeweed pulled me into his side. “We can make inquiries as soon as we have saved King Oberon from the Duke of Nevermore.”

A weary breath heaved from my lungs. We couldn’t stop Gala and her father if I made the princes rescue a dangerous faerie. “Alright.”

As the princes recited the closing enchantment, screams and howls from the depths of the pit grew louder, as though they didn’t want the portal to close. My skin tightened into goosebumps, and I squeezed my eyes shut, hoping that I hadn’t condemned that woman to some kind of hell.

The flames vanished, and the ground reformed, muffling the screams, but a strange light streamed through the leaf litter. I gulped. Mistress Catha had told us how to reach the Dark Fae Prison, but she hadn’t guaranteed that the portal we would open would close.

Pokeweed placed his hands on the earth, and the leaf litter rose, combined into a large mass the size of the ritual circle, and slammed onto the ground, shutting off the light.

“Thank you.” Prince August’s shoulders slumped, and he wiped the sweat off his brow.

Prince Rory sat back on his heels and blew out a long breath. “If you hadn’t been there—”

“I hear someone,” said Prince Bradwell.

We all scrambled to our feet. I turned to Pokeweed, who waved a hand in front of his face, reverting to his cursed appearance.

Soldiers emerged from behind the trees, their white uniforms glowing silver in the moonlight. One of them shouted, “Stop what you’re doing!”

We shared awkward glances. Hopefully, the princes would command them to bugger off.

The Duke of Medietas stepped out from behind the tree, a sneer curling his lips. “You are all under arrest.”

Chapter 18

The moon disappeared behind a thick cloud, and the shadows of the trees lengthened as though they had a life of their own. A band of apprehension wrapped around my chest and squeezed.

I glanced at Pokeweed’s furry face. Part of me wanted him to pretend to be King Oberon, but we were already in enough trouble and didn’t need to add impersonation to our list of crimes.

The low-ranking guards with the tall hats raised balls of light, which circled our bodies and shone brighter than a will-o’-the-wisp. My throat dried, and I hoped this wasn’t a form of magical barrier. As the guards closed in on us, all five brothers formed a circle of protection around me.

“What is the meaning of this?” said Prince August in his haughtiest voice.

“Do you know it’s against the lore to open portals to the Otherworld outside the new moon?” asked a distant voice.

“I don’t see why that’s any business of yours,” replied the prince.

My insides cringed. It probably wasn’t a good idea to anger the guards, as we didn’t know if any of them were the assassin responsible for Pokeweed’s poisoning. I peered out from between the prince’s bodies.

The guards parted to allow the Duke of Medietas to approach. His stern features hardened with a determination that made my skin tighten. What was he going to do next?

He placed his hand on what appeared to be the hilt of a sword, and said, “King Oberon has authorized summary executions for those who risk the integrity of our realm, regardless of the offender’s status.”

My heart leaped and tried to gallop out of my throat. A tense silence stretched out through the clearing, and even the cicadas stopped buzzing to listen.

The duke pulled out a glowing sword, and I sucked in a sharp breath through my teeth. He was heartless enough to execute us all. Helen was still missing three months after the Fated had cast her into the Dark Fae Prison. He probably didn’t need a daughter who had lost her magic.

Prince Rory sniffed. “I doubt that His Majesty authorized you to murder his heirs.”

“He did not, Your Highness.” The duke’s eyes met mine. “But Her Majesty will thank me for removing an unsavory influence she already sentenced to death.”

“Unity is our mate,” said Prince Caulden.

“We won’t let you touch her,” added Prince Bradwell.

The duke’s face twisted with disgust. “Very well, then. You will accompany us to the palace.”