Page 16 of Fey Empire (Fey Lords #5)

Chapter fifteen

P aint is messy. And I’m terrible at it. But it is exhilarating. Mixing the colours and seeing them flow across the canvas is so very satisfying. I’m going to try so hard to learn this medium. Making beautiful art would make me so happy.

Days spent creating. Mornings spent having orgasms. I could get used to this.

Heat flows across my cheeks. This morning I sucked my husband’s cock while sprawled on top of him, and he ate my ass. We came at the same time, and it was glorious.

He strode out afterwards without a word or a glance. But it wasn’t as quickly as before. He lingered for several heartbeats. Like he wanted to stay.

It’s a good sign, I’m sure of it.

“What is it supposed to be?” a voice suddenly says right behind me.

I yelp and spin around. Dyfri’s dark eyes regard me calmly.

I place a hand over my ribs, as if somehow that’s going to stop me from having a heart attack.

“Should you be here?” I wheeze.

Dyfri raises one dark eyebrow .

“I mean, if he is not allowed in your rooms without permission…” I trail off.

Dyfri waves his hand in a dismissive gesture before wandering off to inspect my new art supplies.

“How is my brother treating you?” he asks casually over his shoulder.

“Extremely well, as you can see!” I beam.

Dyfri whirls around to face me. His long dark hair flies with the speed of the movement. His dark eyes are narrow.

“It is easy enough to spend coin. Especially when you have mountains of it.”

I open my mouth. I close it again. What on earth do I say that defends Selwyn without arguing with Dyfri?

“Laurie, do not mistake trinkets for kindness.”

I bite my bottom lip and lower my head. These are not trinkets. This art studio is wonderful. It is by far the nicest thing anyone has ever done for me.

Dyfri sighs and crosses his arms over his chest. “Goddess save me from hopeless humans. You are like a baby deer stumbling after a wolf because it looks warm and fuzzy."

My head snaps up. Why did he choose a wolf of all analogies?

I stare at my brother-in-law, but Dyfri’s dark eyes are giving nothing away.

“Don’t you want me to be happy with Selwyn?” I ask.

Dyfri stares at me for a moment longer. Then his shoulders relax. “Of course I do.”

His eyes flick over my shoulder to the canvas. “So what is it supposed to be?”

A blush spreads across my cheeks. “Nothing. I was just experimenting with colour and texture because I’ve never had paints before. ”

A strange look passes over Dyfri’s face. “No wonder it was so easy for my brother to win you over.”

I scowl before I can stop myself. A ghost of a smile tugs at the corners of Dyfri’s lips. He tilts his head and regards me intensely.

“You are pretty, and your magic is potent. And you are as guileless as a lamb. But I still don’t understand why Selwyn is obsessed with you.”

My eyes widen. Selwyn is obsessed with me? Surely not. Dyfri has to be mistaken.

Dyfri frowns. “I don’t like not knowing things.”

He steps towards me, and I step back. There is a sudden menace in the air. Fey are so confusing. So very changeable. Dyfri was concerned for me, now he is suspicious.

“Do you have any secrets for me, little human?”

I gulp. The light is glinting on the black horns that curve backwards from his head. All of a sudden, I’m very aware of how not human he is. Even worse, he is not even full seelie like the rest of the fey at court. He has unseelie blood, which everyone says is even more dangerous.

I gulp again as my mind flounders for something to give ?him. Anything at all. “I…um… overheard talk of the Prime Minister’s son being married to a fey prince. I think Crown Prince Rhydian is making arrangements for you.”

Dyfri’s eyes widen, and he steps back. “Where did you hear this?”

“At one of Mother’s meetings. Before we came to court.”

He glares at me. “Mabon and Tristan are not wed.”

I nod hastily. “True. I’m sure they wouldn’t marry their pets if they had to. ”

Ollie and Blake seem very fond of their fey masters, and I get the distinct impression that the feeling is mutual.

Dyfri’s expression turns positively ferocious. I hold up my hands in surrender.

“You wanted a secret!” I squeak.

He takes in a deep breath. “I did.”

He turns and strides up to the wall. He pushes at a spot that looks utterly nondescript to me. A portion of the wall slides back, revealing a pitch-black narrow passageway. Dyfri walks into it as if it isn’t the least bit terrifying.

The secret door slides shut behind him. I blink. I can’t tell it was ever there at all. I didn’t sense any magic. I think it is simply good engineering. A seamless door. Probably an original part of Buckingham Palace. I wonder how Dyfri discovered it?

And I really hope he has not left to go poison Crown Prince Rhydian. Not that I can do anything about it if that is his plan.

I shudder and look away. That was an… interesting visit. This family is certainly going to keep me on my toes.

I look up at my canvas. The light is going to fade soon, and my thoughts have been utterly derailed. And I’m now aware of how covered in paint I am. I think I’ll call it quits for today and have a nice long bath before dinner.

I clean my hands on a rag and head towards the bathroom. Selwyn’s rooms feel empty. I don’t think he is here. That’s fine. He is a prince. He has duties and responsibilities and a million and one things to do. He doesn’t need to babysit me. My role is to make his life easier, not harder.

I reach the huge bathroom. The water in the enormous sunken bath is lapping gently at the tiled edges. Stirred by some unseen currents. The way the steam is gently rising from it is so inviting.

My hands go to my waist. I was paying extra attention when Peaony dressed me this morning. I think I might be able to do it.

My fingers pull at a lace, and suddenly, all my layers of silk are tumbling down my body to pool at my ankles. Leaving me completely naked.

Oops. That is one way to do it. Goodness. Note to self, never ever fiddle with the laces of your robes in public. That could lead to utter disaster.

But right now, that was perfect. Very efficient.

I step out of my puddled robes, and walk into the bath. I sink in down to my chin and let out a contented sigh. This is lovely. The heat is seeping into my muscles.

I find the seat along the edge and get comfy. I’m tempted to stay in here for hours.

A strand of my pale, shoulder-length hair drifts on the water. There is a splodge of purple paint on it.

Oh my. That won’t do. And actually, thinking about it, I haven’t taken care of my hair in ages. It should be a fizzy, bouncy, tangled mess by now. I don’t understand how I have got away with neglecting it for so long. But I need to wash it before my luck runs out.

My fingers go to the braid Selwyn gave me. I undo it and shake my hair free. Then I dunk under the water.

There is a shelf just above me, within easy reach, full of bottles of some sort of cosmetics. I pick up a bottle and sniff it. It smells good, and it looks like shampoo consistency. It should do .

I wash my hair, and then the rest of me. As I suspected, the clever fey plumbing takes the foamy suds away, leaving the water clear.

I leave the bath and find a pile of fluffy towels in an alcove. Look at me being all independent today.

I rub the fluffy towel over my hair. Oh wow! My hair is dry. That is a great practical use of fey magic. So very helpful and convenient.

I sling the towel around my waist, just as Peaony enters the bathroom. Perfect timing! I’m not entirely sure where my clean clothes are kept.

I give her a smile, but she stares at me with a wide-eyed look, then she turns and runs out.

Okay. My heart flutters. What have I done wrong now? Was I not supposed to wash myself? I thought I was being helpful by not bothering the staff.

My sigh echoes around the tiles.

I’m going to have to go to the dressing room in this towel and hope I can find my robes. And then hope I can figure out how to put them on. All while bracing myself for being told off.

The bathroom door slams open. I jump. Selwyn strides in with blazing eyes.

“Why have you unbound your hair?”

I stumble backwards. “I…I… To wash it.”

He stalks towards me. My back hits the tiled wall.

His eyes burn into me. Brown has turned into molten lava.

I draw in a stuttering breath.

He closes his bright eyes and inhales through his nose. “Humans,” he mutters.

His eyes are a lot calmer when he opens them again. His hot hand goes to my naked shoulder. He turns me around so my back is to him. His fingers glide through my hair, weaving a new braid.

He releases me. I turn back around.

He gives me one last long look. Then he turns on his heels and strides out.

Just on the other side of the door, he speaks. “Everything is well, Peaony. It was simply a meaningless human thing.”

My eyebrows rise. A vivid memory of our wedding springs to life. Selwyn gave me the braid as part of the ceremony.

Oh crap. Did I just accidentally divorce him?