Cruelty - Ellen Crosháin

The Frolic, a festival where Fae of all kinds come together, to lose themselves in pleasure of all kinds.

Faroust thinks he has it made. Mara, the green and untested Queen of the Unseilie needs him, and not just because the laws of Faerië demand she has a consort. As the son of Mebh, his name carries a power and influence that means the members of the Court are flooding back to her side.

She also needs an heir, and until Faroust decides to bed her, she's not getting one. If anyone knew that he held such power over her, she would be more of a laughing stock than she already is. If she wants to keep her position, and her safety, she must keep him sweet.

But the bonds of Consort and Queen are more than symbolic. As they immerse themselves in the heady joy of the Spring Frolic, Faroust learns that he has a greater responsibility to his Queen, to his court and to Faerië as a whole. Can he overcome his pride and bow the knee to his Queen?