Page 44 of Fae Games

Silence.

“My name is Unity Quayle, and I’m happy to be here among all you ladies and gentlemen!”

More Silence.

“I think we’ve all heard enough,” said the host from my side. He placed a hand on my shoulder, digging his fingers into my flesh. “Thank you, fifth candidate, please remain onstage, so the other ladies can join us for a final parade!”

I stepped out of his tight grip. “What was that for? I didn’t get a chance to say why I’d be good for any of the courts.”

“There are four princes, therefore four well-bred, fated mates,” he hissed. “Having a fifth is messing up my schedule.”

“Why have a contest at all if fate already chose each prince a mate?” I snapped.

He gaped at me as though I’d just unveiled the secrets of the universe.

“And for your information,” I said with a sneer. “If anything ruined your little show, it was you broadcasting your erection with that ridiculous suit!”

His mouth clicked shut, and his face twisted into a rictus of outrage. I placed my hands on my hips and struck a pose, just like that blond lady with the eyebrows did in a music video about Vogue Magazine.

Lady Salix emerged on the right, the first to rise in a gown that looked like cherry blossoms. If this was an episode of America’s Top Model, Sicily would turn to me and say the outfit was a poor choice for her straight-up-and-down figure. Without the blazer bulking up her frame, she looked like she would snap at the barest pressure.

Behind her walked Lady Gazania, who looked the best of all four Fated, and Lady Gala, still wearing her gray.

On my left, Lady Aster trudged back on stage, clad in her school uniform. Instead of looking radiant, two sets of red handprints glowed on her face, and her eyes brimmed with tears.

I turned around to find the Duke and Duchess of Westerling sitting primly in their seats and clenched my teeth. What a pair of bastards.

“Beauties to the left of me, beauties to the right,” cried the host with his arms spread wide. “From all four courts, and all levels of our great fae society, ranging from the innocent to the wanton.”

A few people around the tables snickered, and I plastered a neutral expression over my features. Under normal circumstances, that last comment would have been a barb at me when I’d sucked off Elijah in public, but at least back then, I had the excuse of being glamoured into thinking I was alone with a boyfriend.

“This is your fault,” screeched Lady Aster.

I swung left and pressed my hand on my chest. “Me?”

Her eyes rolled in their sockets, and flecks of foam gathered in the corners of her mouth. “Your lasciviousness has infected the entire academy!”

“Don’t blame me,” I snapped. “You were the one who flicked your clit in front of royalty and your parents.”

Lady Aster shook, the redness on her slapped cheeks spreading to the rest of her face. “You’re a disgrace to all things fae.” Light streamed out of her balled fists. “A worthless child, a disappointment.”

My brows drew together, and I stepped back. This sounded like something a parent would say. “Are you talking about yourself?”

“Argh,” she screamed. “I hate you so much. You… you… you… you’re the dark widow spider, trapping everyone in your web of lust!”

I staggered back. She had a point about the lust. When compared to a faerie who could only perform sexual acts a maximum of three times a decade, but I wasn’t going to agree with her, and I certainly wouldn’t let her hurl insults without hurling anything back.

“Look.” I placed my hands on my hips. “Don’t blame me because—”

“Bitch!” She hurled a ball of orange magic.

I dropped to the floor, letting it fly overhead and explode into a cloud of fairy dust. Holding my breath, I crawled down from the stage and hurried toward the surrounding dining tables.

When the dust cleared, only four people stood on the stage: Lady Aster, the host, Lady Gala, and Lady Salix. Everyone went silent.

Walking forward, I clapped a hand over my mouth. “Where’s Lady Gazania?”

Chatter filled the air, and the Duke and Duchess of Southane rose to their feet. I stood by the edge of the stage, looking for a mouse or a rat or something equally as unpleasant.