Page 112 of Fey Empire

Relief hits me so hard my knees tremble. He isn’t going to hate me forever.

“Congratulations on getting rid of your mother,” he says.

“Thank you!”

He knows the revenge was mostly for him, doesn’t he? It was one small way of making amends.

“Hey, come see your picture,” says Ollie. “The kid really captured the whole twink-wannabe-shadow-lord thing you have going on.”

Dyfri’s eyes narrow, but he follows Ollie across the room.

I let out a breath. Ollie is right, Dyfri needs normal. A bit of gentle barbing is perfect. And everyone else has glanced over, but no one is staring or crowding him. They are all handling this much better than I am.

I take another breath. Okay, I am hosting, so I need to make sure everyone has a drink and has found the nibbles. I was literally trained on how to do stuff like this. I should get on with it.

With that thought in mind, I step forward and get to work.

An hour later, the room falls silent. I look over and see that Rhydian is holding up his hand. I guess that is the fey equivalent of tapping a spoon against a wineglass.

I stand awkwardly with a plate of cheese, and wait to hear what the Crown Prince has to say.

“Since everyone is here, I have an announcement for the family before the news is made public.”

He pauses and looks at Dyfri, who nods.

Rhydian continues. “Dyfri’s engagement has been finalised and brought forward. He will be marrying Jack Caxton, the human prime minister’s son, on the winter solstice. Dyfri will be joining the humans’ ruling family at Downing Street.”

A brief silence falls.

“Is that what you want?” demands Ollie with blazing eyes.

Dyfri shrugs. “It gets me away from you. And out of here.”

Ollie scowls, but then everyone is stepping forward to congratulate Dyfri. Everyone apart from me.

I’m just standing here with my cheese platter, staring at the huddle that has formed around Dyfri.

“Rhydian would not have arranged it if Dyfri didn’t want to do it,” says Selwyn, appearing by my side.

“Are you sure?” I whisper.

Selwyn nods. “It is a good plan. A reprieve. It gets Dyfri away from court and all who wish him ill. It gives us time to work on other options.”

My head snaps around to stare at Selwyn in surprise.

“Marriages don’t have to be forever,” he grins.

My jaw drops. Alarm floods my heart and soul. It pounds in my veins.

Selwyn takes the cheese plate from my lax fingers and carefully sets it on the side table. Then he takes both my hands and squeezes them.

“Our marriage is forever,” he says solemnly as his gold-flecked eyes swirl with devotion.

My lungs start working again. A smile teases at the corner of Selwyn’s lips. Oh goddess, do I want to kiss him. But I only have to wait a little longer. Our guests will be leaving soon.

Then we will have the whole night to ourselves. And then forever. Because our marriage is forever.

Forever and ever.