The way the doors burst open makes me jump out of my skin, even though I’m fully expecting it. Mabon, Dyfri, and four guards stroll into my sitting room. The little procession stops just in front of me.
Mabon lifts up his chin imperiously. “Human. I wish to know about human things! You shall be my guide!”
I stare at him. He is standing strangely, and his hands are on his hips. There is a slightly frantic look in his purple eyes. All in all, he looks incredibly awkward.
“Wow. You really are a terrible actor,” I say.
“I know!” says Mabon with a huge, delighted grin. “I told you so!”
His entire body language changes as he relaxes and turns back into the Mabon I know and love. I shake my head in dismay and glance at Dyfri, who gives me a long-suffering look. It is such a brotherly expression that it makes me smile. Fey are clearly capable of emotions, as well as friendships and bonds. There is hope for them yet.
“Are we leaving, or standing around all day?” snaps Dyfri.
“Leaving!” I reply with surprising cheer.
Apparently, I’m looking forward to getting out of the palace for a while. Despite all the danger of our thinly veiled subterfuge.
Mabon turns and leads the way. We make it all the way out onto the city streets without seeing anyone, save for a handful of servants. It feels almost too good to be true, but that is why we chose midmorning. Most of court is still sleeping. And magic is diluted in the daytime, so anything set to spy on me will be far weaker.
None of this is infallible. And Mabon’s ruse to get me out of the palace is thinner than tissue paper. But it is better than nothing and nobody can officially complain as technically, no rules are being broken. Nobody is helping me. I’m simply acting as Mabon’s guide.
I take a deep breath of clean air. Everything is going to be fine. The sun is shining. The sky is blue. The weather has decided it is spring today, and it is wonderful to be outside.
“I love your hair,” purrs Mabon.
My hand lifts up and runs over my new plaits, and my heart does a funny little skip. “Thanks!” I beam.
“So if you win…” starts Mabon before breaking off with an, “Ow!” He rubs his ear and glares at his brother before starting again. “When you win, are you going to make Iestyn a rhocyn?”
“Hell no!” I gasp in horror.
Beside me, Dyfri flinches ever so slightly. Oh shit, I didn’t mean to imply that I think rhocyns are awful and disgusting creatures.
“I mean, he deserves it,” I splutter in a futile attempt to backtrack, but why am I talking nonsense? My heart sinks and I sigh. “No,” I say, trying again. “Scrub that.Absolutely nobody deserves that. Not even Iestyn. What I actually mean is, I’m not a rapist.”
Mabon turns to me, his amethyst eyes bright with curiosity. “What’s a rapist?”
“Someone who…Nevermind.” There is no point trying to explain the concept of consent to any fey, especially Mabon.
“No! I want to know!” he insists.
I sigh and admire the new fresh spring leaves gently curling on this row of trees that we are passing. Maybe they can give me some strength.
“I don’t hurt people. I’m not like Iestyn,” I say softly.
A sombre silence falls. I think I may have actually done it. Mabon and Dyfri are certainly pondering my words carefully. The guards following a few paces behind us, are either doing a brilliant job at not listening into our conversation, or they have been enchanted to not be able to hear us. Either way, I’m pretty sure only Mabon and Dyfri heard what I just said.
Which is bloody lucky, because damn it! I might have just said far too much.
“Hurt people, like he did to Ninian and the tylwyth!” I blurt as a blind panic takes hold.
The brothers nod thoughtfully and I hide my sigh of relief. Rhydian has entrusted me with a secret that could destroy his life, and sometimes I really don’t feel up to the task.
Luckily, the Tesco Express I scoped out on Google Maps has come into view and should provide an excellent distraction.
“Here we are!” I say, far too brightly.
The fey princes stare at the shopfront. Mabon wrinkles his nose.
