Page 51 of How To Please A Princely Fae

Not inviting the rest of the town in to witness her magic is the right move, there’s no doubt in my mind. If I’m unsettled by it… the many species that make their home here will be, too. And that?

That never leads to happy outcomes for witches.

No, better to keep this behind closed doors.

“The spell you did on me. The summoning spell and binding…” Caelan pauses, bending down to scratch his dog’s chest. Fenn watches from his spot on Wren’s lap.

“We could try it,” Wren muses, raising an eyebrow at Nerissa.

“Something with the power of an elder creature is not the same as some Unseelie trickster,” Nerissa announces, waving her hand dismissively.

“That’s quite rude,” Caelan drawls.

“If I recall correctly, that ended up with more than either of you bargained for,” I say plainly.

Kieran snorts, and Caelan glares at him. “As if whatever spell you’re under is any better,” he mutters.

At that, Kieran releases me from his grasp, thrusting his sleeve up. The tattoo stands out in stark relief against his lilac skin.

Caelan, however, looks bored. “No surprise there. Congratulations on your mating.”

Ga’Rek whoops, pulling Kieran away from me and into a huge hug. “I’m pleased for you. May you both find immense happiness.”

Wren and Piper are both beaming at me, and though my heart feels warm and full, I can’t help the thread of guilt.

“No wonder the Elder Gods want to make brides of us,” Nerissa says darkly. She cocks her head at us. “You all are disgustingly in love.”

“I think it’s sweet,” Rosalina interjects for the first time, smiling warmly at us.

I don’t say anything, though, making myself smile back at them in spite of the guilt weighing on me. Kieran can’t remember who he is—how could he possibly love me? Anything he feels is a result of his mate bond, nothing more.

My stomach sinks at the truth of that thought.

I’m so suddenly miserable.

“They don’t want to be summoned.” Violet’s voice is miniscule, her gaze on the floor. “And they can’t be bound.”

The atmosphere turns tense, full of crackling energy that sends me back into Kieran’s arms, seeking safety there despite all my strange, jumbled up feelings.

“How do you know?” Ruby whispers the questions, the fire loud in the grate. Her cat yowls from near the front door, and when Violet raises her head, the blood drains from my face.

Her eyes are full white.

“They’re already here.”

Chapter 14

WILLOW

“Don’t move from my side,” Kieran mutters in my ear, and I nod, though I doubt my feet could take me an inch from him.

A book on the table opens, the pages whipping on an unseen wind.

The pressure in the bookstore builds, like the moments before a storm breaks, and I suck in a breath as the temperature drops.

“They’re here,” Violet says again, and this time, her eyes are back to their normal, human shade.

My mouth is dry with fear.

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