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Farley stared down into my eyes until his fangs appeared. His head was descending toward me before I snapped free of the spell his presence always wove around me.

Prince William straightened and cleared his throat. “Who is the bear?”

I smiled at Farley as I answered. “This bear is the new male in my life. Ethan refuses to believe I’ve moved on. Are you seeing the entire picture yet, Prince William?”

“I am,” the irritated prince said before he turned to glare at Ethan. “You, sir, are a liar. Bind him. Perhaps a month in our kingdom’s prison will be enough to teach the man not to lie to a fairy prince.”

“No! You promised me a reward if I led you to her,” Ethan said as two of Prince William’s men bound his wrists. “You won’t get away with this, Selene. I’m going to keep coming back until I get my way.”

“If you keep returning, I will eventually have to kill you, Ethan. You’re trying my patience.”

Prince William turned back, glanced at Farley, and then brought his full attention to me. “I apologize for my behavior earlier. Is my brother well? Is Princess Peace with him?”

I waved my wand at his army and returned all the weapons to his people. They roared in happiness. I smiled at their reaction. Goddess, this was fun.

I smiled at Prince William. “Your brother is quite well, but Prince Robin is here in hiding. The fairy queen’s curse draws too many women to him and makes most men hate him. Farley wanted to maul him. Were you aware of his struggles to handle the curse?”

Prince William sighed a little and nodded. “I was aware of it, but I had not seen Robin enduring it. I can say with certainty that it sounds like something the fairy queen might do to a person who wasn’t pleasing her. Our mother sent me out to check on him. One of our most talented seers sent me here. Your ex-whatever was hanging out in the charming town nearby. He tells a convincing story about your wickedness.”

I grunted, and then I laughed. “Ethan was not completely wrong. To be fair, I can be fiercely wicked when I need to be. Would you like to see your brother? The males in your army would turn instantly against him. Since he’s your brother, I can take you to him and make sure you do not overreact to his presence.”

Prince William grunted. “If the fairy queen ever cursed me, body parts would be falling off. My youngest brother gets cursed, though, and Robin becomes a chick magnet. Life is not fair, Lady Selene.”

“Indeed not,” I said, biting my tongue to keep from laughing again. “Princess Peace and Harmony seems to be unaffected by the curse... as am I.”

Beside me, Farley grunted indignantly and received my elbow to his eight-pack as a reward.

“I was able to break the curse and return Prince Robin to his human form for a short while today, but my efforts don’t last. Not even the inn can permanently undo the fairy queen’s magic. All I can do is offer your brother solace.”

“That may mean our queen has given up on Robin and Peace making a genuine match.”

That was news to me—well, the giving-up part was. “Would she really give up on them after all this time?”

Prince William shrugged. “Our queen does as she pleases. From what I know, Princess Peace feels no need to make a permanent match with any male. Our mother gave up years ago on that working out. She’s been recently shopping for other eligible matches for Robin. He’s turning 300 this year, you know. I was already married for half a century by the time I was his age.”

“I would not give up on them yet,” I said, crossing my arms again. “Peace and Robin are quite fond of each other. For some of us, friendship comes first.”

Prince William snorted. “If my brother weren’t such a money-maker, no one would care if he was fulfilled in his personal life. His games generate a substantial amount of money for our kingdom, which our parents use to purchase weapons, jewels, and magical objects. Our mother says the fairy queen aspires to be a top fairy character in one of his games. Maybe the curse is her way of making him view her as a villainess.”

“I think it’s shallow of her majesty the queen to expend so much magic on such a petty goal. Princess Peace and Prince Robin currently view her as a terrible person, so she has been successful. Every time I have to clean Prince Robin’s stall, I think poorly of her as well. I was not equipped to deal with a centaur.”

Prince William burst out laughing. “I must return to my people tonight, but may I one day soon return to have a sojourn here? My wife would appreciate a stay in this fascinating place. Forgive me for doubting your hospitality.”

“For as long as I remain the innkeeper, Prince William, your family will be welcome here. However, my time as an innkeeper is limited. Please try to visit within the next fifty human days. I do intend to leave when my time is up.”

“That would be a loss for the inn and its guests.” Chuckling, Prince William turned and walked down the steps.

Ethan complained as they dragged him away. Was it terrible to be so relieved that Ethan wouldn’t be returning to harass me for at least a month?

As the fairy army opened a portal and left, Farley snorted in disgust beside me. “The fairy queen does not sound like a nice person.”

“No, she doesn’t, does she?” I tapped my wand on my chin as I thought about it. “I feel sorry for Peace having a mother like that.”

Farley looked back at me. “What’s with the new outfits? I like this one.”

I smiled at his genuine pleasure. “Jezel and I are trying to compromise.”

Our clothes returned to normal as we walked. “Let’s talk about this inside while we eat our dessert.”