The guards step forward, the human steps back. Sweat beading his brow.
“Rhydian said you couldn’t have a pet yet!” I squeak.
Mabon’s eyes narrow and then he pouts. He waves a hand airily at the guards, who immediately back down.
“I’ve definitely earned one now,” he grumbles.
Oh my god, that was so close. I shoot the poor security guard an apologetic look and then herd the fey to the checkout. The manager himself is standing by the tills, twisting his hands.
I look up at him and then down at my brimming trolley. “I…er…I’m really sorry, but we don’t have any money.”
The manager stutters for a moment before finding his voice. “That’s absolutely fine. It is our honour to serve the fey.”
“Thank you,” I say, and I’m pretty sure I’m blushing.
This is so awkward. I’m just going to take the whole trolley and get out of here. I can’t stand the thought of hanging around to pack. Stealing a trolley after stealing all of this stuff, hardly seems like a big deal at all.
As soon as we make it outside, I suck in a big breath of fresh air.
“That was fun!” beams Mabon. “Where next?”
I groan. “A cookware shop.”
Mabon claps his hands together in glee. “Oh goody!” he says, even though I’m fairly certain he has no idea what a cookware shop is.
It’s going to be a long day.
Chapter thirty-nine
How has my life come to this? A few months ago, I was a bored, disillusioned call handler. Now look at me, standing in a throne room in Buckingham Palace, about to fight a duel, while my fey prince lover watches from his throne.
It is a lot to take in. The last couple of days have flown by far too fast. I can’t believe it is the full moon and that I am all out of time.
This enormous room is packed full of fey. Everyone wants to see me die. Which is a little offensive in my opinion. But I guess, if all goes well, I will be showing them.
Iestyn smirks at me, but I ignore him. The huge chandeliers are casting everything in a strange glittering light. It is a little disorientating. Not that it matters. I only need to see Iestyn and this circle marked out with toadstools that we must stay in.
We each have a small oak table to place our weapons on. Iestyn’s is bare and I just know that is an insult. He is announcing that he can defeat me easily, with only his innate magic. Well, fuck him. My table only has two itemsinstead of the allotted three. So he can shove that where the sun don’t shine.
The murmuring voices of the waiting crowd are falling quiet. It must be nearly moonrise. A shiver dances over my skin. I can’t wait for this to be all over. One way or another. I’m tired of feeling sick and drawn out with nerves. Of anxious anticipation taking over my every waking moment. It needs to end.
I feel Rhydian’s eyes on me. I want to look up at him, looking all regal and impressive on his dark mahogany throne, but I’m going to resist. If I see his fear and worry for me, it will break my heart and be far too much of a distraction.
I know Dyfri and Mabon and Tristan are nearby. I’m pretty sure I even caught a glimpse of Pinky. But I’m keeping my attention on Iestyn and this mushroom circle we are standing in. Right now, nothing else matters. If there ever was a moment to finally learn how to concentrate, this is it. I need to concentrate and focus as if my life depends on it. Because it does.
A whisper echoes around the throne room. I have to be imagining it, because I am only human, but I swear I can sense the full moon rising. Just as all these fey seem to be able to do. A strange tingling on my skin and a zinging in my blood, as if I have suddenly been imbued with more energy.
Silence falls. Out of the corner of my eye, I see Rhydian stiffen and clench the armrest of his throne. I take a deep breath and try to calm my racing heart.
Iestyn grins at me. As the one challenged, he gets to strike the first blow. Everything hinges on him being anasshole and doing something for show. If he actually takes this seriously and launches a proper attack…I’m dead.
My muscles begin to quiver. Sweat is beading my brow. Iestyn is one hundred per cent an asshole, I remind myself. It is going to be fine. Everything is fine.
A soft gong sounds.
Round one has begun.
Iestyn waves his hand in a careless, nearly dismissive gesture, and green fire erupts over me. I bite back my yelp. It is hot, but not as scorching as true flames. The witch fire dances over me. My silk robes start to singe and burn. I hiss as heat swirls over my skin. My clothes burn away. Black ashes drifting on a magical breeze.
