Page 36 of Fey Empire

My stomach swoops. Oh sweet goddess. I have one month to pull myself together and convince everyone that I am happy.

Otherwise lives are going to be ruined.

Chapter twelve

Night has fallen. I have been catching up with my brother all day. It was so kind of Dyfri to lend us one of his sitting rooms and then leave us alone.

There has been so much to talk about. We haven’t seen each other since the fey invasion. The entire world has changed beyond recognition since we were last in the same room. And even before that occasion, Mother was keeping us apart.

My life has been boring. My days have been spent in obedience and silence. And being given to a fey prince.

Whereas my brother has been falling in love, forging a found family and having all sorts of adventures.

I’m so happy for him. I truly am.

I glance at the dark sky through the window. If I am staying, I need to return to Prince Selwyn. My husband.

“I need to go,” I say quietly.

Monty’s shoulders stiffen. He opens his mouth. He closes it again. His blue eyes fill with sadness, and he nods.

“I’ll walk with you,” he says as he gets to his feet.

We leave the cosy reception room and enter the antechamber. Dyfri appears from somewhere deeper in his rooms.

“Thank you for your hospitality,” I say.

He frowns. “Do not thank a fey, Laurie.”

Monty inhales sharply.

“Sorry! I forgot!” I blurt. Oh holy stars, it is probably worse to give thanks to an unseelie.

Dyfri shakes his head. “I rescind the thanks. Don’t forget in the future.”

“I won’t,” I promise him sincerely.

He walks us to the main doors and opens them. I startle and freeze. Standing in the hallway, hands clasped behind his back, is Selwyn.

“Have you been lurking outside my doors all day, Brother? Hiding under a concealment spell?” says Dyfri. “How sweet.”

Selwyn’s eyes narrow. “Don’t forget that I know things about you, Brother.”

Dyfri laughs. A rich, melodious laugh that fills the air. He shoos me out into the hallway.

“You wouldn’t dare,” he says almost merrily. “I’ll take the human home.”

The door shuts.

Selwyn bristles. Then he pauses, draws in a deep breath, and seems to compose himself. He turns to me and offers his arm. He isn’t smiling, but he isn’t frowning either.

I glance at the shut door. I didn’t get to say goodbye to Monty. But maybe that is for the best. I probably would have started crying again, and all of my resolve might have withered.

Besides, there is every chance that Selwyn will allow me to see him again soon.If I don’t decide to run away next full moon.

I swallow, turn back to Selwyn and take his arm.

We walk back to his rooms with the silence a presence all of its own. Dark and heavy. Weighting the air between us.