Crimes of Cupidity (Heart Hassle Book 3)

“You’re in a good mood,” Sylred notes as we eat at the feast later that night.

Everyone is gathered in the town square, the huge egg building behind us with a new roof installed on it. There’s a bonfire with roasts turning over it, and people are talking and enjoying themselves in quiet gaiety.

“Why wouldn’t I be in a good mood?” I ask as I take another bite of the tender meat. “I have all four of my mates here, the prince can’t terrorize us anymore, and I’m eating food. Plus, the other genfins aren’t threatening to kill me anymore.”

It’s true. Even that one really mad genfin. I saw him earlier, and he gave me a grudging nod. It was basically like an enthusiastic fist bump of solidarity. We’re totally cool now. I guess being the cupid who killed the crazy ass prince has its perks.

I’m sitting between Ronak’s legs on the grass while Evert is on my left and Okot on my right. Sylred is sitting directly in front of me, our legs tangled together. All four of them are touching me in some small way, except for Ronak, whose very not small erection is digging into my back.

Okot is careful with me—quieter, more restrained. I know he still feels guilty for attacking me, and it’s going to take time to work past it.

As I’m finishing up the last of my food, a familiar fire fae comes bounding forward. His smoking scalp curls into the air above him, and sparks of fire spit out of his fingertips. I tense and sit up at his approach. I try to shake my head and wave him away, but the dummy just keeps coming.

Feeling the rigidness of my body, Ronak leans forward, pulling me against him with a super possessive hold. The four of my mates stare at the fire fae were he stops in front of me.

“Who the fuck are you?” Evert snaps.

“Ferno,” he answers, keeping his flaming eyes locked on me.

He’s wearing a dopey look on his face and he’s clutching a bouquet of… “Is that beavertail cactus?” I ask.

He nods proudly and holds it out. I blink at him and look down at the hand that clutches them. The thorns are digging into his palms, making him bleed in several places, but he doesn’t even seem to notice.

“The thorns reminded me of the way your arrow pierced me so sweetly,” he says with a sigh. “And the pink blossom reminded me of your hair, and how it would look fanned out over my chest after an intense love-making session.”

I groan and bury my head in my hands.

“What. The. Actual. Fuck.” Evert growls.

“Okay, okay. I can explain.” I say, looking over at my guys.

“You’d better do it fucking quick, Scratch.”

“It’s silly, really. You’re totally gonna laugh,” I say nervously. “I accidentally Love-Arrowed him and made him fall in love with me.”

They don’t laugh. Tough crowd.

Ronak sighs. “Will it wear off?”

“Umm…maybe?”

“Fucking hell,” Evert curses. “You are in so much trouble right now.”

“It was an accident! He was trying to attack me. The Love Arrow was all I had.”

All four of them growl at the knowledge that Ferno was trying to hurt me. Ferno, still clutching the cactus, continues to grin at me lovingly.

I sigh. “I’ll see if I can match him up with someone else.”

“You’d better do that soon,” Sylred says gently. “Before your other mates end up killing the poor sap.”

“I will,” I promise.

“Screw off, Flame Fuck,” Evert growls. “Our mate will deal with you later.”

Ferno just blinks.

“Go on,” I tell him. “Take care of those stickers in your hand, and don’t pick up cacti anymore. I’ll…umm…find you later,” I say, cringing at how happy that makes him look.

When he bounds away, I give my mates a sheepish smile. “Those Love Arrows really have some oomph in them, you know?”

Evert points a finger in my face. “No more stabbing fae with Love Arrows and accidentally making them fall in love with you.”

You would think I wouldn’t have to hesitate before promising him that, but…you just never know in this damn realm.