Page 26 of Fae Mates

It took me several moments to create a stretcher under Prince August’s instructions, and it turned out looking more like a throne with skis. As the harness made him weigh next to nothing, the structure held, and I looped its enchanted lead through the throne’s top bar and pulled him through the reeds.

“Aren’t you going to give me something to cover my dignity?” he griped.

“One second.” I placed the sack over his erection and raised the ball gag to his mouth, which tightened around his head. “Thanks for reminding me not to let you call out for help.”

Ignoring the disappointed groan wheezing from his nose, I pulled him through the field of tall reeds. McVittie trotted out in front, acting as a lookout for passersby. He swung his head from side to side, checking for the displacement of air that he said would signify an invisible royal guard.

The morning sun shone down on us, and the rustling of the reeds drowned out Prince August’s angry groans. I continued after the cat with my spirits soaring at succeeding in the first part of our plan. With the help of Pokeweed, we would work out how to break the curse and rescue the Summer Prince before saving his brothers.

As McVittie stepped out of the reed bed, he arched his back and hissed.

My feet stilled in the silty ground. “What’s wrong?”

“See that line of red maple trees?”

I poked my head out of the reeds to find a row of stout-trunked trees with long, loping breaches that curled and split to create a halo of scarlet foliage. They stood on the border of a forest that stretched out into the distance.

“There’s a flock of strange-looking birds up on one of those branches. Just in case they’re royal watchers, place the bag over his head so no one recognizes him.”

“Good thinking.” I ducked back into the reed bed, where Prince August glared at me through blue, hate-filled eyes that promised an eternity of torment if he ever got free.

I gave him an apologetic wince. “It will only be for a few minutes.”

My fingers trembled as I lifted the sack off his huge dick and placed it over his gorgeous, blond head. Not seeing his face lifted an ounce of guilt off my shoulders, and I tried to distract myself with the sight of his tanned pecs, which flexed and bunched with his tightening abs.

“Ogle later,” McVittie snapped.

“I was just checking on something.”

The cat snorted, and we continued out from the reeds across a small meadow that led to the woods. Several minutes beyond the maple trees stood a gnarled oak with knots in a configuration I recognized to be one of Pokeweed’s enchantments. My heart leaped, and I picked up my pace, sliding the throne of reeds over the forest path.

Hoofbeats sounded in the distance, making my skin prickle with annoyance. I didn’t need any nosey centaurs asking what I was doing and who was underneath the sack. When word got out that Prince August hadn’t returned from his daily bath, I didn’t want anyone leading them to us.

“McVittie,” I whispered.

The cat paused. “What?”

“Do you have access to the tunnel of trees?”

“Yes,” he replied. “Why?”

“See if that oak is one of them.”

With a sharp nod, he bounded up to the huge tree, placed his paw on a low knot, which opened up into a doorway.

I pulled the throne into the dark opening and filled my nostrils with the earthy, nutty scent of sweet acorns. For several moments we walked in darkness to the sound of the reed stems sliding against the damp earth. An occasional shaft of light illuminated our way, and I glanced over my shoulder at Prince August, who sat rigid in his makeshift throne.

The faerie didn’t like me at the best of times, and I expected he would want to tear me apart with his magic if I ever set him free without first breaking the curse. I trudged onwards, my heart pumping with a mix of excitement and trepidation. If we didn’t free Prince August before the royal guards tracked him down, they would make me wish I was dead.

By the time I reached the arched doors of Pokeweed’s treehouse, the scent of sweet porridge, warm almond milk, and honey wafted down the hallway. My stomach growled, and I picked up my pace.

McVittie pushed the door open with his head to reveal Pokeweed walking toward the kitchen area, holding a basket. As soon as he saw what I’d dragged in, it slipped from his fingers, sending apples rolling over the moss floor.

“Who is this?” His gaze dropped to the purple erection, which had started to pulse with need.

“Prince August.” I glared down at McVittie and flashed my eyes in a silent prompt for him to explain. Hadn’t the wretched cat shared his plans with Pokeweed?

Pokeweed’s black eyes widened. “And you thought to bring him here?”