Page 68 of Fae Mates

“It won’t work,” he murmured.

All the grief I had held back in the hope of this miracle cure surged through a crack in my heart. It burned a path up my throat, my sinuses, and the backs of my eyes.

Trying to keep the shake out of my voice, I said, “You’re going to die?”

“Don’t cry for me.”

I blinked away a tear. “This isn’t right. You haven’t done anything wrong.”

“Some would say that a monster being born to the most beautiful noblewoman is crime enough.”

“But you’re not—”

Pokeweed placed a finger on my lips. “Don’t.”

Wrapping my fingers around his wrist, I pulled his hand away from my mouth. The time for backing away was over. I had no idea how soon the poison would take effect, but I wouldn’t let Pokeweed die, thinking himself unloved.

“It’s fur.” I ran my fingers over the thick covering on his arm. “Was the dormouse who brought you up a monster?”

His brows drew together. “Of course, not.”

“The only monsters are those who attack others for being different.” I placed a hand over the velvety fur on his cheek. “Lots of people here are fond of you. Mr. Whittaker, the remedial students, and even the princes.”

His eyes dimmed. “You’ve mated with them?”

“I had an early heat.”

The fur under Pokeweed’s Adam’s apple bobbed up and down. “I felt your need. It called out to me like a siren, and I fought my way out of the void to reach you.”

His words were like an iron fist to the heart. “I woke you up?”

“No tears,” he said. “Without the calling of your heat, we might not have been able to say goodbye.”

“I won’t let you die in agony.” The words tumbled out of my mouth in a rush. “Th-there’s a dagger on the bedside table. As soon as the nightsbane starts to attack, I’ll plunge it into your heart.”

Pokeweed shook his head. “I won’t have my blood on your hands.”

I shoved Pokeweed hard, making him release my waist, and sat up on the bed. “You want me to watch you die?”

He squeezed his eyes shut. “Unity—”

“No,” I snapped. “You’re too good for a painful, lingering death. I want something to bury. Somewhere to place my flowers, and not—”

A surge of pain cut off my words.

Pokeweed sat up and placed his hands on my shoulder. “What were you going to say?”

My heart pounded so hard, I felt its vibrations in my ears. I dipped my head and choked out the words, “Nightsbane will reduce your body to dust, and it will be like you never existed. I don’t want that to happen.”

Pokeweed’s fingers closed around my shoulders. “Unity.”

“Yes?” I gazed into his fathomless, black eyes. Instead of the dark-haired, dark-winged disguise, a blonde faerie stared back with wings that glowed purple and blue.

“There is a request I would make of you.”

“Anything,” I whispered.

“Before I die, I would have a taste of your lips.”