Page 68 of Fae Games

“Think about it,” said McVittie. “I’ll stay out of your way, but if you ever need my help, just call.”

I glanced down, but the cat had already gone. “Are you still there?”

He didn’t answer, so he had either disappeared with magic or was hiding behind the sofa, trying to look mysterious. I stood and walked around Pokeweed’s home, looking for signs of the talking cat who claimed to be my great-great-great-uncle on Mom’s side, but he was nowhere in sight.

“Maybe I just dreamed that,” I muttered to myself.

“You didn’t,” said a little voice.

“Where are you?”

The furry little bastard didn’t reply.

* * *

After washing up the used mugs and stacking them on the draining board, I stood at the windowsill and stared at two rows of apple trees bent toward each other to create an arch. A quartet of orange-skinned pixies with black wings flew from tree to tree, picking the reddest apples.

I clutched the edge of the windowsill, willing myself not to stray where I hadn’t been invited. It didn’t matter that there was so much of Pokeweed’s treehouse to explore, snooping like that just wasn’t done.

Everyone I knew in Doolish lived in either one or two rooms. If they were posh, they’d have three. Our main room, where Sicily and I used to sleep, had a stove and a sink in one corner and hand-made stools for visitors.

Since Elijah converted the beds into sofas, the room could seat eight guests—more if they were willing to watch DVDs from one of the floor cushions.

Not a single person dared to venture into the back room. Everyone knew that was where a family kept their valuables, cursed relatives, and other items not fit for public showing.

I turned back and glanced at the spiral staircase, which meandered up and around the huge tree. There was no way I would violate Pokeweed’s hospitality. He’d done so much for me already.

“Prince Bradwell sent a message,” said a voice from the door.

My heart flipped, and I spun around to find Pokeweed walking toward me with a note. “He has returned from the palace, but Princes Caulden and Rory are still being detained.”

“Thanks.” I took the note, and our fingers brushed, the sensation of his fur sending tingles down my spine. Swallowing hard, I stepped away with the feeling that Pokeweed was staring at me with a gaze as heated as my cheeks.

Prince Bradwell’s letter said:

Dearest Unity

We will have to postpone the ritual until tomorrow or later. Her Majesty has demanded that the Duke of Medietas have you arrested and brought to the palace for interrogation.

No matter how many times Caulden and Rory explained, she still thinks you used the same dark means as Gala and the others to become a fated mate.

She only released me because I agreed to play spy and report back to her with news of your movements. Please be careful when walking the grounds, as the Duke of Medietas has them watched by invisible guards.

There is a yew tunnel close to the academy wards. I will be waiting there at sunset if you would like to spend some time with me in comfort and safety. Please take care if you decide to venture out.

Yours in hope,

Bradwell

I stared at the letter until the words blurred. This could easily be a trap.

“The sun sets in twenty minutes,” said Pokeweed. “I can escort you to the tunnel if you would like some fresh air, and your invisibility cloak will keep you hidden if you’re afraid of being spotted by guards.”

A knot formed in my stomach. Was he kicking me out or shoving me out of the door so I wouldn’t have to decide between Prince Bradwell or him? “Poke—”

“It’s no bother.” He walked to a peg on the wall and picked up my cloak.

“I can stay here tonight with you,” I said. “If you have eggs, we can have a rapunzel omelet.”