Page 49 of Fae Games

Prince Caulden’s frown deepened, and I sucked in a steadying breath. “I have a lot of enemies.”

His eyes softened, and he cupped my cheek with his large, warm hand. “I’ll speak to Salix and explain that my feelings for her are fraternal. Rory can have strong words with Gala to back off.”

I shook my head. “If they went to such terrible lengths to counterfeit a fated mating, I doubt that either of those four would be willing to let go.”

His lips quirked into a smile. “Are you thinking of adding August and Bradwell to your collection?”

“You didn’t hear Lady Gala’s announcement,” I asked.

“What did she say?”

“She wants to unite the four Courts and become the queen.”

Prince Bradwell huffed out a laugh. “I doubt that Her Majesty reacted well to her proclamation.”

“Queen Titania didn’t seem impressed.” It was an understatement, but I was hardly going to describe his mother in unflattering terms.

Prince Caulden shook his head. “Gala can’t even please one mate.”

“You believe Helen’s statement?”

He paused and stared into his hands. “Three years ago, His Majesty brought all four of us into a room and asked us what we thought of Helenium of Medietas. Her father is our family’s strongest supporter, and he wanted to see if we could mate with a single female.”

“What did you say?” I asked.

Prince Caulden smiled. “Nobody had objections to Helenium. At the time, it was hard to accept only getting the chance to mate with her once every twenty years. I doubt that a full-blooded female could handle four males at one time, even at the height of her heat.”

I grinned. “The supposed Fated recoiled at the blow job round.”

He wrapped both arms around my waist. “I want a female who can be both a friend and meet my physical needs.” His lips grazed the side of my neck, sending pleasant tingles down to my nipples. “You’re everything I ever wanted in a mate. Beauty, resourcefulness, and a strength of spirit that I find irresistible.”

Arching my neck to give him more access, I asked, “Me?”

“Mmmm.” He gave my neck a suck hard enough to make my core pulse with need. “I told you already that I’d resigned myself to a lifetime with Salix.”

“Yes.” Sliding my palm further up his thigh, I squirmed in my seat.

He pulled me onto his lap and peppered feather-light kisses down to where my neck met my shoulders. “But what I didn’t say was that I would probably consort with half-blood females in between her heats.”

I drew back and stared into his darkened eyes.

The corner of his lips curled into a smile. “With you, there would be no need. You have just as much desire as a male.”

My tongue darted out to lick my lips, and I shifted on his lap, enjoying the hard length bulging against my thigh. He was right. I really loved sex and lots of it, but after learning that my three years with Elijah had been a disgusting sham, I wasn’t sure I wanted to enter into a relationship based on just sex.

“What did you mean about my strength of spirit?” I asked.

“You’re in the lead in these trials, yet you have no magic.” He grinned. “I know you’ve made allies within the academy, and even Mistress Ellyllon favors you. It’s also refreshing to encounter a female who stands up to us. August talks about you all the time.”

“Rants,” I muttered.

“He protests too much.” Prince Caulden cupped my breast over the embroidered dress. “August acts like the upstanding older brother, trying to protect the crown from bad influences. Deep down, he can’t stop thinking about you.”

I shook my head. Prince August was the worst male faerie in the academy and probably wanted me dead. At least Prince Bradwell was just aloof.

“Please, don’t back out of the trials.” Prince Caulden encased me in a hug.

My arm slid around his torso, and I hugged back. This wasn’t just about saving others from their fates. With Prince Caulden and Rory, I might get a happily ever after without leaving the Isle of Fae.