The bed is still empty too. Rhydian stayed away all night. Where did he sleep? I know it’s a palace and has no shortage of bedrooms, but surely a prince surrendering his bed to a pet is strange?
I pull myself up into a sitting position. My pretty clothes are all rumpled. My body feels sore, but more from the crying than the actual spanking.
Oh, actually, I want to see the damage.
I slide off the bed and make my way to the large mirror. Twisting around and lifting my robes up is awkward, but finally I get a good view of my naked ass. I stare at it in the mirror. It is dark and shadowy in here, which may be hiding some things, but my ass looks fine. If I peer intently, I can see some very faint red marks. And one slight bruise.
I let my robes fall back down. Fucking hell, I’m such a baby. I completely lost my shit and there is barely a mark on me.
Sighing, I rub my hands over my face. I should tell my mum that I am okay. Though, I could tell that she came to that conclusion last night. She knew it was emotionally I was falling apart and that physically I was probably fine.
I’ll leave it. Talking to her was lovely and exactly what I needed. But I’m not sure either of us are strong enough to go through it again. She’s deeply worried about me, of course she is. And I hate that she had to put that aside to be reassuring and strong for me. I’m not putting her through that again.
Last night, I didn’t say one word about my father. I asked no questions. I didn’t confront her because it did not seem at all important or relevant. She didn’t mention it either, even though she has probably figured out why I was taken. It’s another reason not to call her back. I think I would bring it up now, in the cold light of day, and it is far bigger a conversation than I feel able to deal with right now.
I retrieve the phone from the bed, slip it into my robes, and pad softly out of the bedroom. The sitting room is flooded with bright sunlight and it takes my eyes a moment to adjust. When they do, I see Rhydian sitting at the table by the window. He is reading a newspaper and I can’t see his face.
The table is set with an abundance of bread, cold meats and a selection of cheeses. My stomach rumbles. I frigging love cheese. My feet step towards the table. I guess this is lunch. They really did let me sleep in.
As I approach the table, Rhydian stiffens. A brief, fleeting movement, but I see it. I pull out my chair. There is a plump red cushion on it. How very thoughtful. Gingerly, I sit down. My ass twinges, but it is not too bad.
I start helping myself to several different cheeses. Is Rhydian going to talk to me? Or are we going to ignore each other like an old married couple?
The silence stretches. I sigh. Old married couple it is then.
I take the phone out of my robes, place it on the white tablecloth and slide it across to Rhydian. I’m not so stupid that I think I’m going to get to keep it. Last night was a one time deal.
Rhydian reaches out with one hand, pulls the phone closer to him and tucks it into his robes. All without lowering the newspaper or saying a word.
“Can I go see Dyfri?” I ask.
I can sense Rhydian bristle, but all he says is, “Yes.”
A few minutes later, he puts his paper down and strides away. I sigh and finish my lunch. Pinky appears and gives me my usual bath. Then she takes me to Dyfri’s rooms.
I blink at the sight of him curled up on one of his settees smoking what looks like a hookah pipe of all things. Mabon is sitting across from him on another overly ornate settee, puffing on another long cord that extends from the bubbling, oddly shaped glass vase that is set on the floor between them.
Dyfri is immaculately dressed. His long dark hair is smooth and gleaming. He looks well. A tentative relief starts to flicker to life within me.
“Come sit,” says Mabon as he pats the space beside him. His amethyst eyes are half-lidded.
“I’d rather stand,” I say, with a slight wince.
Mabon giggles, flashing pointed teeth. “Oh like that, is it?”
My face heats. “No, it’s not. He spanked me, actually.”
“So it is like that?” laughs Mabon.
I glare at him and turn my attention to Dyfri. “I’m…I’m sorry about what happened. I tried to get Rhydian to help, but he wouldn’t listen.”
Dyfri lifts his head up from resting back on the settee. “That’s what you got spanked for?”
I nod.
Something flashes in his dark eyes. I see surprise and bewilderment and other, far softer feelings, and then his face is carefully blank again. These fey really hate showing their emotions.
“Do you need ointment?” he asks. But I’m fairly certain he is really saying thank you for trying to help and sorry you got hurt.
