Page 71 of Fey Empire

Ollie grunts. “Sappy enough to make me puke.”

He is acting all tough, but it is quite clear he is pleased, as well as relieved. His eyes are sparkling, and the corners of his mouth are curling up.

“Why do you care?” asks Blake. “Llywelyn tried to take you away from Tristan.”

Ollie shrugs. “Nothing is ever straightforward, big man. Besides, Llywelyn took a bullet for Tristan. That absolves him of any and all sins in my book.”

He takes a big bite of cake. Blake nods in thoughtful agreement. Jamie picks up the teapot and starts pouring tea.

Flipping hell. What a tangled web that all sounds. I’m never going to make heads nor tails of it. I’m completely out of my depth.

“How are you, Laurie?” Jamie says gently and very earnestly.

My heart pounds. Everyone was supposed to be distracted by Loki.

“I’m fantastic! Selwyn gave me a puppy!”

Oh crumbs. That was far too exuberant, and I think my fake grin is probably looking a little deranged.

Ollie lifts up the tablecloth and looks under the table. “Cute,” he remarks before returning his attention back to his cake.

“Is that what I am telling your brother?” Jamie asks.

“Yes!” I squeak, once again too brightly.

Gosh, it is hard not to squirm. But I have to. I cannot give anything away. I don’t know what to do about the treason I have uncovered. What is the right thing to do? What is the safest? What course of action benefits me? And is that the same or different from what would be best for the greater good?

I need time to figure this all out. Especially since I’m not the smartest. So, in the meantime, I need to stick to my original plan.

Convince everyone that I’m fine and I don’t need saving.

Jamie narrows his eyes. I turn up the wattage of my fake smile.

Under the table, Loki barks. Jamie’s attention immediately goes to her.

“Oh, was I ignoring you! I do apologise!” he grins.

Discreetly, I let out the breath I was holding. Loki is the best puppy in the world. When we get back to our rooms, I’m going to give her so much cheese.

And I might even allow myself a little glass of wine. I think I am going to need it.

I’ve dawdled in this dressing room long enough. I’ve washed. I’ve dried. I’ve changed into a long white nightgown. There is nothing else to do.

Besides, if I scurry out now and slip between the sheets, there is a chance I can pretend to be asleep before Selwyn comes to bed.

I’m not ready to face him. At least not while keeping everything I know from my eyes. I can’t avoid him forever, but any delay will be a blessing and a reprieve.

With that thought in mind, I stride out of my dressing room and into the bedchamber. Only to find Selwyn standing by the bed, utterly and gloriously naked. Dimly, I’m aware of the puddle of silks by his feet, but my mind is taken up with other things.

“Laurie? Are you well?”

“Hmm… yes?” I tear my gaze away from his body to look at his face.

“I heard you had tea with Jamie and the pets. Did Ollie say anything to upset you? He has quite a vicious tongue.”

I blink. “No, I’m fine.”

Selwyn’s brow furrows as a look of disbelief grows in his eyes. Heavens, how is he so very perceptive? I simply stepped into the room and then ogled him. How does he know that something is on my mind?