Page 81 of Fae Mates

“Oh, no you don’t!” The Duke of Nevermore roared from within the prison.

A second later, an explosion sent bits of blood and guards flying across the room.

Prince Bradwell wrapped his arms around me and encased us in a howling cyclone. The air moved so quickly that the light behind the wind became a blur of white.

With my pulse fluttering in my throat, I twisted around to find Prince Rory standing at his back with his arms raised.

“What was that?” I asked Prince Bradwell.

“The Duke of Nevermore must have devised an explosive powerful enough to break through the light sphere,” he replied. “I believe that this was the magic he had stolen from the Duchess.”

A shard of ice speared my heart. “But what about—”

“August and Caulden can form barriers with water or ice.” He wrapped his arms around my shoulders and pulled me into his chest.

“And Pokeweed?” My voice broke.

“He’s powerful.” Prince Bradwell pressed a kiss on my forehead. “Besides, he’s standing with His Majesty, who can’t be slain by magic.”

Prince Rory pressed himself against my back and wrapped his arms around my waist. “There are enough guards in the throne room to protect my brothers.” His lips grazed the shell of my ear. “All of them.”

I relaxed in their embraces, hoping they were right.

Several moments later, the light behind the cyclone dimmed, and the brothers slowed the sphere of wind until it became transparent. The Duke of Nevermore climbed out from a pile of broken bodies.

“Guards,” the queen screeched.

I turned to the stairs, where King Oberon lay face-down with a dagger in his back. Queen Titania waved at Pokeweed and screamed, “He has murdered your king. Arrest Pokeweed!”

Chapter 19

Even more guards stepped out from nowhere, each advancing on Pokeweed, who stood with his palms up. King Oberon lay face-down on the floor in a pool of spreading blood.

The Duke of Nevermore bolted toward the door, but Prince August threw a ball of fire into his back, setting him alight. As the duke froze the flames, Prince Caulden ran across the throne room, forming a spear of ice.

“I didn’t kill the king.” Pokeweed stepped back onto the stairs, his face stricken.

If terror hadn’t snatched my frantic heart, it would have broken for Pokeweed to have met his father, only to lose him immediately after.

“Kill Pokeweed.” Queen Titania staggered up the stairs, making a show of acting frightened. “He wishes to break us for making him suffer.”

“He didn’t do it,” I shouted. “Look at his hands. They’re unburnt, but I’ll bet yours aren’t.”

“Kill his human accomplice, too.” She waved her gloved hand in my direction.

I turned to Prince Rory. “You can’t let them arrest Pokeweed. He’s innocent.”

Indecision crossed his features. It wasn’t hard to tell what was going on in his mind. Pokeweed was the next in line for the throne and would have the authority to banish the princes if he wanted to keep me to himself. But if he let Pokeweed die, the four princes could rule the Isle of Fae and wouldn’t have to share their mate with an older, more powerful brother.

About a dozen guards surrounded Pokeweed, each brandishing swords. From the darkness of the metal, it was probably iron.

My stomach dropped to the marble floor. After years of their colleagues bullying Pokeweed, I doubted that these guards would give him the benefit of the doubt.

The first leaped over King Oberon’s body and lunged at Pokeweed’s belly. He side-stepped, slammed his elbow into the guard’s back, and kicked him to the stairs. Pokeweed raised his hand, and the screaming guard rose from the marble and flew into his colleagues, who staggered back.

“Don’t let the pretender intimidate you with his face.” Queen Titania threw a bolt of lightning into Pokeweed’s back, making him roar with pain. “He murdered your king!”

I lurched forward, but Prince Rory grabbed my arm. “Stay back. You’re not getting hurt.”