Page 45 of Fey Empire

“Laurie,” he whispers softly.

And it sounds like a prayer.

Chapter fifteen

Paint 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.”