His dark eyes look right at me. I hastily look away. Am I a delicate flower? Quite possibly. However, I’m almost certain that most people are scared of Prince Dyfri, and it is not just me. The whole half-unseelie thing is terrifying enough, and that is without even meeting him.
“Have you heard from Llywelyn?” Ollie’s question sounds more like a demand, and the way he is glaring at Dyfri is not exactly friendly.
Dyfri picks up a scone and a knife. He starts delicately slicing the scone in half. “Llywelyn was exiled. That means nobody talks to him or knows where he is. I’m surprised you do not understand the meaning of the word.”
Ollie’s face turns thunderous. “I’d call you an asshole, but you’d get all petty and poison me for it.”
Dyfri reaches for the clotted cream. “I’m glad you have learnt your lesson.”
Ollie’s face scrunches up even more, and he slumps back in his chair with a little growl of frustration.
Okay, these two clearly have a history and clearly do not get along. I wonder what the story is there?
I peek at Jamie. He looks long-suffering and not particularly worried. So, I guess this is all fairly normal. Perhaps it is more a personality clash than anything too bitter?
Jamie picks up a slice of a strange-looking fruit. “Llywelyn being exiled is such bullshit. Prys was a jerk.”
“Llywelyn is a jerk,” huffs Blake.
Ollie sits up straight. “I’m a jerk, and you all put up with me.”
“True enough,” remarks Dyfri as he slathers cream onto his scone.
For a moment, I think Ollie is going to launch off his chair and attack the prince. But he remains seated. While glaring viciously.
“Laurie, I’m so sorry. I promise you we can behave in a civilised manner.”
He gives Ollie and then Dyfri what I think is meant to be a stern look. I think it looks adorable, but then again I’ve grown up with my mother. This is like hearing a Pomeranian puppy growl when you have a hellhound at home.
Ollie sees Jamie’s look and huffs. Dyfi sees it and rolls his eyes.
This is the strangest tea party I have ever been to. I’m starting to understand how Alice in Wonderland must have felt.
“So, as I was saying,” Dyfri says calmly. “Something needs to be done about our delicate flower.”
I inhale a little tea, and my eyes water as I try not to cough. Oh goddess, please don’t involve me in anything. Anything at all. Let me be a quiet, unobtrusive observer.
I look up at Dyfri in dread, but he is staring at Jamie. “You need to get your husband to postpone the wedding.”
Jamie’s expression falls, and his cheeks heat. “I can’t do that.”
“Why not? You have my big brother wrapped around your little finger.”
“It’s not as simple as that!” protests Jamie. “There are so many human plots. Outright rebellion for one. Others are trying to overthrow Rhydian. We really need an alliance with human magic-wielders to help uncover them all. And they are adamant that the wedding needs to happen before they will help.”
That really does sound like my mother. Though in her defence, offering services before receiving payment is risky. And fey are notorious for their deals. Even ordinary humans have heard those tales. She doesn’t want them wriggling out of the wedding once she has given them everything she has to offer.
Dyfri frowns as he reaches for another scone. “He is too young. He is barely of age.”
Blake inhales. Ollie and Jamie go strangely tense.
Dyfri looks up. His eyes narrow. “Don’t.” He points at each of them with the butter knife in his hand. “Get that look out of your eyes right now.”
Everyone drops their gaze. Unspoken things are weighing the air down. Heavy and oppressive. I can not stand it.
“I’m looking forward to the wedding!” I blurt.
Four pairs of eyes turn to me. Four expressions of incredulous disbelief. None of them believe me at all.
