Page 75 of Fae Mates

Despite the nerves trembling at the upcoming confession, my lips curved into a soft smile. “He broke the curse.”

Pokeweed smiled down at me. “You broke it.”

The four princes stilled. Since I wasn’t a healer, an expert in magic or a curse-breaking hag, they’d probably guessed how I had saved Pokeweed from his curse. Each of them turned to me with questioning eyes.

I swallowed, and the membranes of my throat stuck together. “My heat flared last night, and—”

“Pokeweed took advantage,” Prince Bradwell growled.

“No, it wasn’t like that,” I said. “He offered to fetch one of you, but I refused.”

Prince Caulden’s eyes softened. “Because you wanted to give him a moment of happiness before he died?”

“That’s the only reason I can fathom,” said Prince August with a sniff. “An act of kindness to a dying man that backfired, and now you’re saddled with a fifth mate.”

Prince Rory reached into his blazer and pulled out a short sword. “You don’t need a gardener when you have four princes.”

Pokeweed folded his arms across his chest, radiating the same quiet confidence he had shown the time he caught those guards pissing in the knucker bond. “Let Unity finish.”

“Your Highness,” Prince Rory growled.

The other princes placed their hands on sword hilts I hadn’t noticed until now. I huffed out a breath. I loved them, but they still hadn’t released their dickish ways.

Stepping toward the princes, I said, “You’re not going to hurt Pokeweed.”

“Because you pity him?” asked Prince Caulden.

A flare of annoyance rushed through my veins, and the next words burst from my lips. “Because I love him!”

All four princes deflated, their sword arms dropping.

“As a friend?” asked Prince August, hope lilting his voice.

“At first, but Pokeweed always kept me at a distance.” I crossed the clearing and stood before my four mates. “Last night, when I kissed him goodbye, it awoken something within me.”

“Another heat?” asked Prince Bradwell.

“More than that.” I beckoned for Pokeweed to come closer. “When you four hated me, I used to wish I’d been mated to a faerie like Pokeweed. I think he captured my heart the moment we met.”

“I am happy to share you with my brothers,” said Prince August. “But no one in the Royal Court will accept our bond if you’re also mated to the academy’s gardener.”

I turned to Pokeweed. “Show them.”

With a wave of his fingers, the enchantment fell away, revealing Pokeweed’s true face.

All four princes dropped to their knees.

“Your Majesty,” said Prince August between clenched teeth. “What is the meaning of this? Unity is our mate.”

“What about Her Majesty?” spat Prince Caulden.

Prince Bradwell glowered up at the king. “Are you going to kill us?”

Prince Rory’s nostrils flared, but he held his silence.

I glanced at Pokeweed, who stepped back and raised his palms. “I’m not your father.”

The fury on Prince Rory’s face vanished, replaced with wide-eyed shock. He pointed at Pokeweed. “The Duchess of Nevermore never mated with a centaur. It was with His Majesty!”