“Well then,” says Mabon cheerfully. “Let’s make a different court!”
The stunned blue-haired fey nods again.
Mabon says, “Do you accept my offer?”
Osian bows low. “It would be my honour, Your Highness.”
“Excellent!” exclaims Mabon.
Osian turns to leave but then hesitates. He gives Mabon an uncertain look, as if he is not sure if he should speak. The prince nods encouragingly, a lovely warm gesture.
Osian swallows. “I don’t know the details, Your Highness. But be wary of Duke Carian. He has you in his sights.”
Mabon stiffens ever so slightly. A vague correction of posture. If I wasn’t kneeling by his side, I never would have caught it.
“Thank you, Osian,” he says calmly.
Osian bows, then stops and changes it to a curtsey before quietly slipping out of the door.
I look up at Mabon. “You helped him. You gave him a job.”
Mabon is still staring at the door. “I gave him a very prestigious position,” he sniffs.
“Thank you,” I say.
His head turns, and he looks down at me. One elegant eyebrow arches.
“I didn’t do it for you, foolish human. I do not care for the opinions of pets.”
His haughty look is perfect. He is every inch the smug prince. But I have my doubts. I think deep down inside, Mabon does have a heart hidden somewhere.
And I want to find it.
Chapter fourteen
The cards Mabon and his brothers are playing with look an awful lot like tarot cards to me. But the princes are not telling each other’s fortunes. They are laughing and teasing. Lounging on overstuffed pillows around a low round table. And I strongly suspect the smoke gently billowing from these braziers doesn’t merely smell nice.
I’m sitting here in the presence of game night. There is no doubt about it. It is making me think that fey aren’t so different from humans after all.
It’s also making me wish I could join in. It looks like fun. I’m here, but I’m being ignored. I’m only a pet. Sitting by Mabon’s side like a faithful hound. Receiving the occasional pat on the head.
I’m not one of the boys and it’s surprising how much that hurts. I’ve always been popular. One of the lads. Being excluded stings and now I feel terrible for anyone I’ve ever accidentally done it to. Because this feels horrible. Even though I shouldn’twant to be a part of this group. Not only are they fey, they are fey princes. The worst of the worst.
I sigh heavily. My thoughts and feelings are a tangled mess these days. The sensible thing to do would be not to worry about my emotions for now. It’s a problem for future me and all the therapy I’m going to have. Surviving and information finding are the only things I need to be worrying about right now.
The surviving bit seems simple enough this evening. I simply have to sit here and look handsome. The pampered plaything of a prince. As for information, I’m listening to the chatter, but they really aren’t talking about anything meaningful. It’s just Mabon, Selwyn, Tristan and Dyfri hanging out like brothers do.
Dyfri is sitting as far away from me as possible. He hasn’t even glanced at me all night. His raven dark hair is loose and free and very pretty. His movements, as he plays cards and sips his drink, are graceful and easy. He doesn’t seem nervous at all. Perhaps because I’m on a leash and he is not alone.
Whatever the reason, I’m glad I’m not upsetting him and ruining his evening. I never want anyone to look at me the way he did, ever again.
Mabon said the man who made him a rhocyn was big like me. Osian said he was a rhocyn now and not fit to be part of Mabon’s household. So I gather a rhocyn is something bad. And if Osian became one after losing a duel, does that mean that Dyfri did too?
I snatch my gaze away from the dark-haired prince. Staring at him is not going to make him feel comfortable. But my thoughts won’t stop whirling. Do duels always end the same way? Is that what happened to Mabon’s brother?
My stomach rolls. I think I might be sick. Fey culture is awful.
I squirm and shift position slightly. This cushion is plump but I’m not used to sitting cross-legged on the floor. Mabon idly pats me on the head again. It takes everything I have not toroll my eyes. He really is taking this whole pet thing far too far. Nevermind that head pats apparently feel far nicer than I ever would have imagined.
