Page 31 of Fae Games

Triumph flared across the summer prince’s eyes, and his nostrils flared. Baring those perfect, white teeth, he closed the distance between us, engulfing me with the heat of his hatred.

“Ignore my warning.” The glee in his voice made the fine hairs on the back of my neck stand on end. “Wear that dress tomorrow at the trial and face Queen Titania’s wrath. I will enjoy watching you burn.”

We stood for what felt like an eternity, locked in hatred. Prince August’s eyes bore into mine as though searching my soul and finding me wanting.

I matched his glower, remembering the first time I had seen him up close when he had tried to steal iPads allocated for the humans of the Isle of Fae. The fucking hypocrite was happy enough to commandeer items made my humans, designated for human consumption, but he wouldn’t let what he thought was a half-human fae consort with his brothers.

“Unity,” murmured Prince Rory, his voice unusually soft. “August is telling the truth. It’s not him that wants you to return the dress. It’s Her Majesty.”

His words seeped through the haze of hatred, but I continued glowering. There was no way I would let this arrogant asshole win our staring contest.

Prince Caulden’s arms wrapped around my middle. “Please drop the matter. Her Majesty has doled out severe punishments to higher-ranking ladies for much lesser slights.”

A frustrated breath huffed out of my lungs as I remembered my first encounter with a high faerie female. Lady Gala had wanted to have me sprayed with molten drake shit just for shouting at a dumb animal. I imagined Queen Titania could be a lot more malevolent.

“Alright,” I said, mentally wishing the Emporium dress farewell.

The other two princes pressed kisses on my temples.

Prince August’s lips curved into a smirk. “Where is the dress?”

I hooked a numb thumb over my shoulder. “In the wagon.”

The summer prince broke eye contact and walked around us toward the wagon’s entrance. We turned around, not saying a word. Prince August held his arms outstretched, and the garment box slid along the wagon’s floor and flew into his palms.

Without so much as twitching a wrist, he raised the lid and stared at the transparent fabric. He turned around, sweeping his gaze down my form and then tightening his face into the type of sour grimace that came from eating lemons.

Maybe he was trying to imagine the horror of me in a transparent dress, or the fabric working my pussy and making me climax. Whatever was on his mind, it was something he considered foul.

I turned my gaze up to the indigo sky, where the sun hung a few degrees away from its zenith. Right now, anything was better than watching Prince August take away my competitive advantage for tomorrow’s contest.

An amused snort later, he replaced the lid, spun on his heel and stormed through the academy’s double doors.

My heart sank, and I lowered my gaze back to the courtyard, where the driver of the wagon climbed back into the front seat.

“Do you think he’ll destroy the dress?” I asked.

“Knowing August, he will hand it to Aster,” said Prince Caulden.

Prince Rory grinned, his dazzling smile complimenting how the sun shining through his russet hair turned its ends gold. “Maybe he should.”

“What?” I asked.

“You saw what the Emporium did to you?” He waggled his perfect brows. “Aster might not look like it, but she’s a bigger prude than the other Fated. The Emporium might have a completely unexpected effect.”

“Here’s hoping,” I muttered, still stinging from Prince August’s chamberpot comment and from my encounter with three of the Fated when they had tried to glamor me into joining forces with them against Lady Gala.

Prince Caulden blew out a breath. “Allow me to escort you back to class. We still have a day before the next trial. Between my brother and me, we will work out a solution that doesn’t anger Her Majesty.”

Both princes walked me around the castle’s exterior, and alongside an archway of roses that filled my nostrils with their sweet, intoxicating scent. After that steamy encounter in the wagon, I should have been basking in their presence, but my afterglow dimmed in light of Prince August taking my dress.

“Don’t fret,” said Prince Caulden. “By this time tomorrow, we’ll be consummating our bond.”

“Even if Queen Titania is blocking our every move?” I asked.

“Leave it to us,” said Prince Rory. “We’ll deal with her.”

Outside the remedial building, they took turns lavishing me with kisses that made my wings flutter faster than a hummingbird’s. Prince Caulden was slow and sensual, while Prince Rory was fast and fiery. In the darkest corner of my mind, I wondered how Prince August would kiss, but I shoved it back into the shadows.