Page 105 of Fey Empire

Surely it is only a matter of time before somebody does something even worse to Dyfri.

“I’m sorry,” I whisper nonsensically, but truthfully. I am so very sorry. For everything.

Mabon frowns, and his eyebrows pinch together at the exact same time as Jamie says, “It is not your fault!”

“Yes it is!” snaps Mabon.

“Laurie didn’t do anything to Dyfri, he was trying to help.”

“Well, he didn’t do a very good job of it,” Mabon huffs.

Something inside me withers even though I’m relieved the prince now seems to understand that I didn’t abuse his brother. Not on purpose, and not directly. I just laid the foundations for my mother.

Jamie draws himself up to his full, not very tall, height. As if he is about to argue with Mabon. But before he can say anything, Ollie slinks around the corner and comes and stands next to Jamie.

Mabon sighs at the sight of him. Then he waves his hands at us as if we are annoying flies. “Shoo, shoo, little humans. No lurking.”

Ollie scowls. “Like fuck I’m leaving.” He looks at Jamie. “You are going to get some rest.” He turns his fierce attention to me. “You are going to come back and take over from me at lunchtime.” Finally, he glares at Mabon. “And you are going to flounce off and stop trying to tell us what to do.”

With that, he sits himself down on the floor and crosses his arms over his chest.

Mabon glowers down at him with both hands on his hips. “Tristan is too soft on you, pet.”

Ollie rolls his eyes. “Whatever.”

Mabon huffs one last time before turning on his heels and striding away. It is not quite a flounce but only because the prince is clearly trying very hard not to.

Jamie smiles at my aghast expression. “Don’t worry, they like each other really.”

They do? That doesn’t seem in the least bit likely. But then again, I thought Ollie hated Dyfri, yet here he is. Showing up and taking his turn at keeping vigil.

Ollie grumbles something, but doesn’t deny Jamie’s statement. So I guess it is true. Heaven help me. I will never get the hang of this place. Even the humans are confusing.

“Alright, I will see you guys later,” says Jamie. He flashes me another warm, but tired, smile, then heads off towards his rooms.

I give Ollie an awkward nod before scurrying away with Loki. Taking turns is an excellent idea. This way, there will always be someone outside Dyfri’s door. Even if he never lets anyone in, he knows we care enough to be there.

As I hurry down the hallways of Buckingham Palace, my thoughts turn to Selwyn. He had to dash off somewhere this morning as soon as we awoke. I wonder if he is done yet, and if not, what time will he be back in our rooms?

There is no doubt in my mind that he is working on plans to help Dyfri, and I need to convince my husband to allow me to help.

Loki stops suddenly and sniffs at a door. Her fluffy tail wags and she tries to open it with her nose.

“What are you doing, silly? We can’t go in there!”

Her tail wags faster.

Sighing, I walk up to her. I’m going to have to nudge her to get her attention. Just as I reach for her fluffy flank, the door flies open and I’m yanked inside. Loki runs in after me. The door slams shut behind us.

Monty stares down at me, with his hands still on my shoulders.

“Monty?” I say stupidly.

I look around the abandoned room, scattered haphazardly with furniture covered in white dustsheets. The window shutters are mostly closed, making it dim in here. It is a perfect hiding place.

“Is everything okay? I can’t get a hold of Dyfri, and he said he’d be in touch on the full moon.”

Oh. Monty really is here, and I’m not imagining things. I had forgotten all about the plan to potentially steal me away on the full moon. So very much has happened.