Page 15 of Too Sexy for My Hooves (Inn or Out #2)

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.”

“Perfect,” Farley said and held the door open for me. “The inn keeps changing my clothes. Do you think it considers me to be an innkeeper too?”

I couldn’t stop the giggle. “Or maybe Jezel just likes playing dress-up. She sees you as the male doll I’m currently playing with.”

“Is that a metaphor? Because I would love to play with you. Though I think it would be more fun if we played with each other.”

“Well, I’m not a genius like you,” I said, grinning at him. “But I would sincerely like to confirm your theory.”

Farley stopped me from moving deeper into the kitchen. He backed me against the counter and lifted me until I sat on it. His strength continually amazed me. It also made me weak. When he stepped between my legs, I kissed him without holding back.

I was tired of waiting. I could tell he was tired of waiting too.

When I groaned into his mouth, Farley tore his mouth from mine and bent his face to my neck. Every hair on my body stood at attention as his fangs scraped against my throat.

Purple glitter exploded in the air around us. I threw back my head to get him to move lower.

Until I heard coughing...

We yanked apart to look at the source of the cough. Farley stayed where he was and roared in rebellion. When recognition hit, he sobered.

I covered my face with a hand to keep from laughing in horror. Two more minutes and Farley might have had me naked. Damn you, Carol. She’d pussy-blocked me. Between her and Jezel, Farley and I would never make it to bed.

A deeply frowning Farley cleared his throat. “Sorry for roaring at you, Auntie Carol. I... we weren’t expecting anyone.”

Carol had the grace to look embarrassed. She covered her eyes with both hands and shook her head. “No, no, Farley. I’m the one who should be apologizing. You’re a grown bear, and I should have sent a text before popping in uninvited and startling you.”

“It’s okay,” he said quickly. “I’m sure you had a good reason.”

Not that her interrupting me mattered like it should have, I wanted to add with all the snark I possessed. She might be The Baba Yaga, but that didn’t give her the right to pop into my life whenever she pleased.

Noting the blush climbing Farley’s face, I gently pushed him away until he no longer rested between my thighs. His rebellious growl expressed how we both felt. I sighed and patted his jaw.

“You owe me, Yo Baba Rude Yaga. After dealing with the fairy army and Ethan, we were celebrating and got a little carried away.”

Carol covered her eyes and moaned. “I’m truly sorry, Selene. I swear I’m not torturing you on purpose.”

“So you say,” I said, crossing my arms. “I’m not convinced.”

Carol dropped her hands and blew out a breath. “I came to warn you that Lady Meagan escaped her cell.”

I smacked my forehead. “How in effing hell did that happen? Something needs to be fixed at that stupid prison. People are always escaping.”

Carol shook her head. “Stop exaggerating. It’s only been one or two. In this case, Lady Meagan bribed a guard. We caught the guard, but not Lady Meagan.”

“Ethan just got sentenced to a fairy prison for a month. I don’t think even his mother can get him out. He lied about why Prince Robin was staying here. After I took the army’s weapons and refused to fight, Prince William figured out Ethan was lying to him.”

Carol’s sigh was loud. “Have you resolved the prince’s curse yet?”

I looked at Farley. “I warded the grounds, but Ethan’s mother got through the wards last time.

Someone needs to warn Princess Peace and Prince Robin that Lady Meagan might show up.

Also, Prince Robin needs to know his brother came by to check on him and that I sent word to his mother that he was fine. Can you tell them?”

“Yes, I can do that. I think I have my urge to maul him completely under control now. I don’t feel it at all whenever Peace is with him,” Farley said with a fanged smile.

I ignored Carol watching. “I’m really sorry we got interrupted again.”

“Me too,” he said with a little growl.

His clothes changed again while the three of us watched. He looked down at himself in surprise. “I’ve never worn a custom suit before. I usually borrow one of Dad’s. Garrison is going to love this outfit.”

I giggled. “You look far more handsome than Prince Robin, but don’t tell him I said so. It might hurt his feelings.”

“I won’t tell,” Farley said. On his way out, he walked to Carol and kissed her cheek. “Don’t harass my girlfriend. Selene gets mean when someone mistreats her.”

Carol laid a finger beside her nose. “Witch’s honor—I promise to be on my best behavior with her.”

Farley turned to smile at me as if he had solved all my problems by getting The Baba Yaga to make that promise.

Goddess, the man was so na?ve about his so-called auntie.

Not that I would ever try to convince him otherwise.

We all needed our illusions, and Farley had lost enough of his when Hildy died.