Page 36 of Filthy Fae

“I’m a romantic.” Princess Mab stood, crossing the room to stop just before Aaron and me, though she shaded her gaze for modesty. “I want my brother to be happy. One of us should be. And I have an idea for how we can get all three of you out of this alive.”

Chapter Fifteen

Scarlet

“My brothers will never top this first date.” Aaron rocked back in his chains to give me a teasing smile. “Fine dining, a show, thrills, intrigue, murder. It will be the date to end all dates.” Chains manacled around his hands, holding them above his head. I had matching chains holding up my wrists, and we both sported another pair at the ankles.

The chains were a joke. All we’d need to do was shift into wolves to get out of them. Not ready to make our move, we continued to stand there in the queen’s garden of shame.

We were not the only member of the shame garden. Among the worst punishments was a group of fae who all stood holding a giant glass cage filled with terrifying creatures, very like pixies but with claws and giant mouths of fangs. A fae with silver hair covering his features slumped past us as he danced. He looked as if he could be asleep, but his feet continued to move. More fae than I could count were on display central in the meadow, all facing what could only be called cruel and unusual punishment.

Around us, long tables were crowded with hundreds of drinking, laughing fae. Near the great redwood, the queen sat centrally at a table between her four male guards. Beside them were a few fae I recognized, including Princess Mab and the guard Barney from the house.

Princess Mab’s gaze snagged on mine for a second before sliding away. Her plan had been a simple one. Mab’s film crew was going to drop in and start taping the fae court. According to the princess, Titania had a phobia of being caught on video. The queen would go into hysterics, and the banquet would fall into chaos. Our only duty beforehand was to waylay Mack so we could tell him not to give in to his mother’s demands before the film crew arrived.

“At least we’re still alive,” Aaron said, grabbing back my attention. “I was getting a little worried that dinner was going to be after the hunt, if you know what I mean.”

I knew he was trying to make this situation bearable by making light of it, but again his jokes hit a tender spot within me. Even if Aaron swore that I wasn’t to blame, my wolf was right on this one. I wasn’t the one killing my mate, but he very well may die because of my actions.

Aaron gave me a little smile. “Not funny?”

“It’s funny,” I muttered. “I can’t think of anyone I’d rather be chained up with. And, at least our clothing will be easy to shift in.”

A slit ran all the way up both of my sides past my waist, making the dress basically just a flap in the front and the back. Along with that, the plunging neckline dipped past my belly button, held on by a thin strap. Basically, putting on the dress was unnecessary with how much of me it showed, but it was going to be easy to get off when I shifted for the hunt. Aaron’s suit didn’t cover as much as I’d initially assumed it would, either. First, it didn’t contain a shirt, and the pants had long diamond openings, giving peek-abo holes to his muscled legs beneath.

“If this is what I have to do to get chained up together, I would have kidnapped you myself.” He winced but quickly covered it with a smile.

“Date two?”

I stretched my leg, so my foot was just inches from his. Our chains were tethered to nothing, but they held strong.

“Mack has to be arriving soon,” I said, hope tugging at my heart. “If what Princess Mab said is true, this whole show is for Mack’s benefit.”

“Is that him?” Aaron asked, jerking his chin toward a row of fae filing in from another door. My heart skipped in my chest at the sight of my best friend’s tall, lean figure cutting through the tables. He wore a determined expression along with a silk shirt open in the front.

“Mack,” I called.

His eyes swung in our direction, but he kept moving, scanning over the other guests as if he hadn’t seen us chained at the center of the feast.

“Mack,” Aaron yelled. “Over here!”

A slight frown creased Mack’s brow, but he turned away. Down the table, Princess Mab’s eyes widened, and she shook her head.

Damn it. She hadn’t been able to slip him the message either.

“What’s the use of making a plan if that butthead won’t cooperate?” I asked. “He’s acting like he didn’t see us. Do you think he’s already agreed to marry that woman?”

The thought made my stomach twist with horror and pain. I couldn’t imagine life without Mack. I wouldn’t want to. It would be a life without my heart. I should have let him closer. I should have confided how fucking much I loved him. The idea of him disappearing from my life forever felt like a hole opened in my chest.

At the center of the great table, Queen Titania stood along with her four fae guards. They were all unearthly beautiful. The queen’s dress and hair floated around her, unencumbered by gravity, and her skin glowed as if life itself radiated from her every pore.

A hush fell over the feast, and pixies everywhere landed, their multicolored wings stilling and tucking away.

“My guests,” Queen Titania said, a beneficent smile shining forth on her beautiful face. “I’m honored to have your attendance on this most auspicious day. It is truly a day for celebration.”

My stomach knotted, and my hands shook above me.

“We have quite the entertainment in store for after the feast,” Queen Titania promised. “As you can see, we have two alpha werewolves in attendance, including the alpha of the Six Rivers pack, sister of Dr. Zane Reed—the butcherer of twenty-two fae.”