Relief swells through me. I don’t like the thought of anyone being murdered, for any reason. I know it makes me soft, but I cannot help the way I am.
I’m glad the prince is okay. For reasons that have nothing to do with how much I personally have to gain from his wellbeing.
I wish someone had thought to tell me. It would have been nice to have known.
“Bellany, make arrangements.”
Viscount Bellany bows to Mother and hurries out of the room. To arrange for someone to be publicly disembowelled.
My stomach heaves. So I clench my fists and focus on my breathing.
“We need to offer more,” Mother says. “There needs to be no doubt in the fey’s minds of the sincerity of our apology.”
Lord Dunavon nods. “How about agreeing to some of the wedding customs we declined?”
Mother’s eyes light up. “Oh yes! We can agree to the public consummation! The fey are fond of public sex!”
A strange choking, whining noise escapes me. Mother turns to me and blinks, as if she had forgotten I was here.
“You may go to your room.”
My bow is automatic. My feet know to leave. But I have to stop once I reach the small corridor. Where is my bedroom? Thankfully, recollection comes swirling back. I hurry to the unfamiliar bedchamber.
Another place that is not home. Goddess knows how long I will be staying here for. It was supposed to be just for the night of the engagement party, but I doubt the fey are going to let us go now.
I flop onto my back on the large fourposter bed. The large window is bringing in plenty of light. This room is decorated in golds and reds. The gold reminds me of Prince Llywelyn’s blood. Perhaps the red represents my own blood?
I shudder.
A public consummation? A wedding night in front of guests? Prince Selwyn taking my body and my magic in front of an audience?
My eyes sting and begin to water. I hate crying, but at least no one is here to witness my shame. Unlike my wedding night.
I raise my hands to cover my face, but then I’m yelping and scrambling up to a sitting position.
By the ornate fireplace, a door is opening. A door that I had no idea was there.
A dark-haired fey steps calmly into my bedroom. The secret door swings silently shut behind him.
I stare at Prince Dyfri while my heart races. He stares back at me with impossibly dark eyes. His half-unseelie heritage is startlingly clear.
“Did you try to kill my brother?”
I blink and try to remember how my lungs are supposed to work. “No! I thought Prince Selwyn believed me?”
Dyfri rolls his dark eyes. “Selwyn is far too trusting.”
My mouth snaps shut. I really don’t think Selwyn is trusting at all. But his assertion that no one else can see how dangerous he is, is looking true enough. Even his own brother appears to believe he is harmless.
Dyfri reaches into the sleeve of his exquisite black robes and pulls out a vial. The substance inside is green, and glowing faintly.
“You will drink this.”
I lick my lips. “What is it?” I doubt he will tell me, but it’s worth a try.
“A truth serum.”
But that doesn’t mean he is telling the truth. It could be poison. I could be about to writhe on the floor and die in a way so agonising it makes Viscount Bellany’s disembowelment plans seem tame.
