Page 80 of Fae Trials

“She’s the one performing dark magic!” Lady Aster shrieked.

Queen Titania shot the diamond-haired faerie a stern glower, making Lady Aster’s mouth click shut. I swallowed hard. Earlier, I had suggested that Helen consult a hag, but she also hadn’t mentioned the outcome of her inquiries except to say that there had been no sign of Sicily.

Helen cleared her throat. “A seeing-hag stepped in my path, telling me that my enemies had murdered a flock of unicorns to summon the dark ones into a ring and sacrifice my magic to emulate fate.”

My mouth dropped open with a loud gasp.

King Oberon’s face paled. “What?”

“It’s a lie!” Lady Gala snapped. “No dark faerie can escape from Dubnos. That’s the lore.”

Queen Titania nodded. “Hear, hear.”

“Those four took my hair to the depths of Hope Woods.” Helen’s voice broke. “The seeing-hag said I could restore what had been stolen. All I needed were the hearts of the recipients of my magic.”

“She means to kill us,” screamed Lady Salix.

I whirled around to find the green-haired faerie leaning on Lady Gazania, whose beautiful dark skin turned the shade of ash. The other two fated growled like angry guard dogs.

Right then, I knew two things. One, that the Fated had sacrificed Helen’s magic, just as that blacksmith had reportedly offered the dark faeries his human servants in exchange for his brother’s freedom. And two, that Sicily was being kept at the Dark Fae Prison.

“Back to the pressing matter,” said Prince August. “I won’t mate with or allow my brothers to consort with such a wretched creature.”

Queen Titania tilted her head to the side. “I’m inclined to agree.”

My head swung from left to right. Wasn’t anyone going to discuss Helen’s accusation further? My friend clamped her lips shut, her nostrils flaring with frustration.

King Oberon frowned. “Perhaps a sexually available half-blood would be more satisfying a mate for four—”

“No!” The queen shot out of her throne. “I didn’t birth four sons to hand them over to such a base creature for orgies. They’re princes, not satyrs.”

I reared back. What the hell did she think I was, some kind of porn star?

“Very well.” The king flicked his fingers. “The matter is out of my hands.”

Prince August turned to me and smirked.

“Mother.” Prince Rory turned to the queen. “I’ll take Unity for my mate.”

“There will be no having of this creature as your mate or even a concubine!” snapped Queen Titania.

Cold sweat mingled with cold hatred and trickled down my brow, my back, my very being. “This is murder.” I tried to smooth the tremble out of my voice. “I haven’t done anything wrong.”

Prince August shook his head. “This is no execution. It’s your sentencing for the practice of dark magic and the interference with fate.”

“Didn’t you hear what Helen said?” I yelled. “There’s no such thing as a fated—”

“My Ladies.” Prince August swept his hands toward the Fated.

I tried to step back, but ice covered my feet, rooting me to the spot. Lady Gala gave me a smile as dazzling as moonlight reflecting on freshly fallen snow. I parted my lips to hurl one last insult, but someone had fused my jaws shut.

Bloody bitches.

Lady Gala placed her stone on the chamomile lawn. By now, the sun had completely disappeared behind the mountain, leaving a hollow circle of silver in the sky. New moon. Fuck. Any magic performed tonight would be extra potent. The princes had planned everything to result in my sentencing at this very moment.

Lady Aster was the next to place her stone on the ground, followed by Lady Salix and then Lady Gazania.

King Oberon leaned forward, clutching both arms of his throne. “Boys, are you quite sure you want to condemn this half-blood to Dubnos? The Dark Fae Prison is no place for a light faerie.”