Page 85 of Fae Mates

My mouth dried. I staggered to my feet and stared at the marble floor. The old Pokeweed was gone, replaced with a being entirely out of my league. Absorbing King Oberon’s destiny had probably changed his personality beyond recognition.

“Your Majesty,” said Queen Titania. “What has happened to me?”

“The gown you wear consists of centaur magic,” he said.

Prickles of fear raced across my skin, and my hands flew up to my mouth. I had once worn an Emporium dress. Would I start looking horsey now?

She rushed at him and knelt at his feet. “I beg of you to remove this curse.”

My jaw clenched. After everything she had done to Pokeweed, why did she expect him to grant her this mercy?

“It is of your own doing,” he said in a voice more gentle than she deserved. “If you had ever removed the glamor from your face, you might have noticed the gradual change in your features.”

“Help me,” she said with a sob.

“Did no one explain the dangers of faeries consorting with centaurs?” he asked.

Her mouth clicked shut. Something told me she already knew but hadn’t cared. Much like the people who made bargains with faeries, knowing that they always backfired.

Pokeweed beckoned the Duke of Nevermore close. “You murdered my mother.”

The older faerie clenched his teeth. “She humiliated me by giving birth to what I thought was the child of a satyr. If I had known you were the heir to the throne—”

Pokeweed held up his clenched fist, blocking off the duke’s air. “I bind your magic and sentence you to live out your remaining days in the Dark Fae Prison.”

Lady Gala’s father fell onto the marble floor with a thud, but the rise and fall of his chest indicated that he was still alive.

Next, Pokeweed turned to Queen Titania. “Who poisoned me with nightsbane?”

She raised her palms. “It wasn’t me.”

“I already know you cursed my mother and King Oberon to forget about their mating and that you were responsible for my accursed state.” Ignoring her vigorous head-shaking, he added, “If I have to enchant you to tell the truth, your punishment will be severe.”

Queen Titania shot Prince August a helpless look. “My darling—”

“No.” The heat of the Summer Prince’s anger turned his voice into a dry rasp. “You murdered our father, and you nearly killed Brad and Rory.”

The queen fell onto her hands and knees and sobbed. “What else could I do? His Majesty was a lecherous dog who demanded the most degrading acts. Seeing his likeness on Pokeweed was like a knife in the heart.”

I stared at the floor, wondering what I would have done in her situation. Magic was a tricky thing. It made female high faeries incapable of regular sex while leaving the males with healthy appetites. Even so, I wouldn’t curse an innocent child and have him assassinated, and I wouldn’t murder my mate.

“Who poisoned me?” Pokeweed repeated.

“The Duke of Medietas somehow knew your identity.” She raised her head with fat tears streaming down her face. “I bought his silence with a promise that I would grant Helenium the opportunity to mate with my sons.”

My brows drew together. Had Helen known that Pokeweed was the true heir to the throne? I shook off that suspicion. Befriending him and breaking his curse would have been an easier route to becoming the queen. She probably thought his father was some kind of beast.

“Titania,” said Pokeweed. “You are the mother of my brothers, and as such, I cannot condemn you to the Dark Fae Prison.”

My head snapped up, and my lips parted with a protest. She deserved to be dragged through all seven levels of the mound and quartered. I held my silence, as I couldn’t interrupt the new king.

Queen Titania crawled on her hands and knees. “Thank you.”

“But I will transfer the injuries you inflicted on everyone onto you.” Pokeweed flicked his wrist.

Her mouth dropped open. “Wha—”

Queen Titania flopped to the marble floor, convulsions wracking her body. She bit down on her long, gray tongue and gurgled. I tore my gaze away from the sight of a writhing, half-centaur female and gazed at Princes Rory and Bradwell staggering to their feet among the fallen guards.