Page 8 of Filthy Fae

Growing up, my mother frequently tried to explain to my sister Zeezee that the world didn't revolve around her. To date, it was a concept that never fully sunk in. But upon seeing the Queen of the Spring Court sitting in a metal waiting-room chair in the police station, I was pretty sure no one ever explained to Queen Titania that she wasn't the center of the world. They wouldn't have to. From the way everyone oriented their positioning, she clearly was the center of their existences.

Four Fae men and one fae woman surrounded her. They were some of the most flawless people I'd ever seen. The first man had hair the color of flame, another had long silky ebony lengths, the third’s hair fell in perfect cinnamon curls, and the fourth had hair as white as the center of a flame. Their faces were sculpted to near perfection.

Mack leaned in until his lips brushed against my ear. “That’s her honor guard. They’re a bit jumpy, so don’t get any closer."

Mack stayed by my side, making it clear who he sided with. I didn’t know if that was a good thing or not. He continued speaking. "They're prince warriors from the Summer, Spring, Autumn, and Winter Kingdoms. If she dies, they all die."

Obviously sensing the tension, several people in the waiting room rushed for the door. And as the queen stood, nearly everyone else followed, stampeding for the exit like the building was on fire.

Giving the crowd a wide berth, I made it halfway to where Jane waited at the counter before Titania stood. Her dress was a gray semi-transparent gauzy material that flowed around her, as if in a breeze, but I didn't feel a draft. The queen’s dress made her look a little like an undersea creature. Light cinnamon-brown hair curled around her heart-shaped face. Her skin positively glimmered, as if she'd slathered glitter powder all over herself. She looked no older than Mack, but there was something entirely “other” about her.

"We have let you enjoy your little kingdom,” she said, her voice soft but commanding. “We have tolerated your contempt and violence for decades. And now, you have broken every treaty we’ve ever made. Twenty-two fae died at your hands—artists and lovers, not warriors.” Her words echoed around the space, surrounding me and roping me in. Was she somehow beguiling me?

I took a step back as anger rose in my chest. “Did you get some information that I didn’t? From what I was told, my werewolf survived a massacre and was arrested for something the cops haven’t made known yet.”

“Our werewolf was detained but hasn’t been charged yet,” Jane clarified.

I gestured to Jane. “There you go, your highness. You do know what they say about assumptions, don’t you? Why don’t we push this conversation until after we actually know what’s going on?”

The woman fae with the queen cleared her throat, loudly, drawing our attention. “Mother, even if the werewolves are guilty—which we don’t know they are—revenge is not the answer.” The girl stepped forward, looking between Mack and me with big blue eyes. She had blonde hair piled above a gorgeous face.

It was a little strange that I hadn’t noticed this fae above the others, as she was the only one I’d seen before. Everyone had seen Princess Mab. She was the most famous fae in North America, even more famous than the kings and queens of Summer, Spring and Autumn. She was the star of the controversial and annoyingly popular reality show My Fairytale Life. The only episode I’d ever had the misfortune of watching was one where Mab performed “slut-erventions” on her friends, showing up to their houses and throwing away everything that she considered “slutty.”

Maybe it was just her television personality, but even just seeing Princess Mab put my teeth on edge.

“Mother, look at those two,” Mab gestured toward Mack and me. “They’re like Romeo and Juliet.”

“Mab! Mack! Go wait in the car.” Queen Titania snapped her fingers twice, and what looked like wind blasted the reality TV star, sending her hair tumbling out of a careful updo. Mab squeaked and hurried for the door while the four guards watched the family drama, stone-faced.

Mack stayed right where he was.

Titania whirled on me, pointing into my face. “Bring me this wolf or each life lost will be avenged on one of your own.”

My wolf came roaring to the forefront, shining through my eyes, forcing my shift. Pain radiated through my hands, as claws lengthened from the tips of my fingers. The shushing of swords being drawn from scabbards sounded everywhere around us, but my wolf urged me forward. She thought we could get through before they killed us.

My words came out a guttural growl. “Don’t be so hasty to declare a war that will destroy us both. I have allies, too.”

Mack stepped in front of me, breaking my stare down with his mother. He had turned his back to the fae warriors, his wide body completely blocking me from their view.

Immediately upon seeing the fae my wolf and I love, our anger cooled.

He stared down at me like I was the only one in the room, as if it didn’t matter that he was physically blocking his best friend from assassinating his mother. My fingers tingled as my nails retreated into smooth skin.

Mack’s arms wrapped around me, and I burrowed close against him and whispered, “I love you.”

“If you are so sure of this wolf’s innocence, tell the police officer to announce why they were detained,” Queen Titania demanded. This time, her voice didn’t have the trippy feel. Bitch had tried to hypnotize me.

Drawing back, Mack gave me an intent look and an infinitesimal shake of his head.

I returned the look, hopefully communicating that I wasn’t planning on following his mother’s demands. The first rule of the playground—never give in to a bully.

“I’m guessing we’re not still on for a movie Friday night,” Mack said to me like this were just any other day and our idle plans appeared to be doomed.

“Unfortunately, my schedule looks to be extraordinarily full and still filling. I miss the days when hanging out just meant heading home to our apartment.”

He didn’t respond to that, but a small smile twitched at the corners of his lips.

Reaching forward, I took Mack’s hand and squeezed. “Maybe not a movie, but we should touch base as soon as possible.”