Page 68 of Fey Empire

“Whoopsie!”

Loki gives me a look of disapproval. Then she turns and pounces on her squeaky toy and starts attacking it with gusto.

Fine, I guess I will fetch the ball. I get to my feet and make my way over to the unlit fireplace. The marble surround is ornate and fancy, like most of the palace. But the hearth itself is cold, scorched stone. It might have had an iron grate at some point, but fey don’t like iron, so it is not surprising they had it pulled out.

I drop to my knees. This fireplace is huge. I can’t see the ball anywhere. It must have rolled all the way to the back and is hiding in the shadows.

I crawl in a little way, and then freeze as the sound of voices reach me. Clear as day.

Dyfri crept into my room through a secret passageway. Is there another one here? I pause and listen.

“How is my son?” says a female voice. A human, by the sounds of it.

“Still happily married to my brother, just like last time you asked,” answers Selwyn.

I inhale sharply, breathing in dust, and struggle to hold back my cough. I’m eavesdropping again! Will I ever learn!

The woman makes a disgruntled noise.

“How is Ninian?” asks Selwyn.

Oh heavens. I can hear him so very clearly, I dare not move, or he will surely hear me.

“Ninian is doing well, for such a traumatised young man.”

Selwyn sighs. “He is a rhocyn, they are treated more cruelly than most. Your son is fine.”

“I don’t care. I want him back.”

“And you will have him, once this is all over.”

A tugging on my robes nearly makes me yelp. I look over my shoulder. Loki has the hem of my robe firmly in her mouth and is pulling determinedly. She has a point. Leaving is a good idea. Even if it wasn’t, I have to now, before she makes a noise and gives me away.

My heart pounds. Oh goddess. Slowly, carefully, I crawl backwards as silently as I can. As soon as I am out of the fireplace, I run. Loki at my heels. I don’t stop until I am several rooms away.

I flop onto a settee and try to catch my breath. Loki goes over to inspect her food and water bowls.

Why, oh why, do I keep accidentally spying on people? It is terrible and it is going to get me into no end of trouble. I have no wish to know secrets. I absolutely do not want to ‌get dragged into plots. My whole life and existence has been nothing but a pawn in Mother’s plans. I’ve had enough for one lifetime.

Nevertheless, the conversation I heard whirls around in my mind. I try to ignore it. To banish it and forget it. Butit is no good. My thoughts have latched on and are putting the puzzle pieces together.

Selwyn has only one brother who is married. The Crown Prince. Therefore, he must have been talking about Jamie, and that woman is Jamie’s mother.

Who Jamie himself told me was a member of the human rebels.

I shiver as an icy trickle runs down my spine. No, it can’t be. I’m jumping to baseless conclusions.

I take a deep breath and try to steady myself. What else did Selwyn and Jamie’s mother talk about?

Someone called Ninian, and how he was a rhocyn and rhocyns are treated cruelly.

A frown curves my lips. Dyfri is a rhocyn, isn’t he? That’s why he has to wear his hair down. Does that mean people treat him cruelly? I hope not. And I haven’t seen any evidence of it, but then again, I’ve hardly been out and about much in court.

Since my wedding, I’ve been to one meeting and to one tea with Jamie. Otherwise, I’ve been in these rooms. As if Selwyn is keeping me away from court.

My mind whirls. Images flash. One lingers. Selwyn saying that Loki will grow big enough to protect me.

Oh my. Is the fey court really that bad? Bad enough that Selwyn is worried for me?