The chandelier is sparkling. There are no stars in here. Everything is as normal as it can be in the fey court.
I let out a breath. This is more or less a formal dinner. I can do this bit.
I keep my head down as the first course is served on silver plates. The hum of conversation fills the air. Everyone sounds happy.
“Are you really so scared to be wed to me?” Selwyn says quietly. His eyes are looking out at the dancers who have set up in the middle of the hall. His words are for my ears alone.
“Of course not!” I whisper back.
His eyes narrow, and he picks up a gold goblet. “You believe me to be a monster.”
His tone is calm. Neutral. But I can hear the offense.
I wince. “I believe you to be formidable and not human.”
There is no point in lying to him, but apparently I need to try to soften the insult. I would have thought he would be happy that I am scared of him. That is the impression he gave before.
“I can taste your terror,” he states, still without looking at me.
I’m not denying it. What else can I say? How do I explain myself?
“I’m… it’s… the public consummation I am worried about.”
My heart slams against my ribcage. I had been doing a very good job of not thinking about it. But it has been there all day. A storm brewing on the horizon. Heavy, ominous. Threatening. Fuelling my unease.
He frowns. “We are not having one.”
“We aren’t?” I splutter.
His gold-flecked eyes turn to me. “No. I assumed it would make you uncomfortable.”
I stare at him.
He stares back. “No one told you?” His eyes flash with a fury that is astonishing. But as quickly as it appears, it leaves. Leaving his eyes unreadable.
There isn’t going to be a public consummation? He isn’t going to lead me out into the middle of this room, lay me on some pillows and take me in front of all these people?
I search his eyes, but all I can see is truth.
My own eyes start to sting. My throat goes all strange, and my chin wobbles. Frantically, I blink my tears away. I can’t be seen to be crying. I don’t even know why I am on the verge of sobbing. This is good news. Great news. I am so incredibly relieved.
‘No. No one told me,’I want to say, but I can’t get the words out, so instead I pathetically shake my head.
Something dark swirls in Selwyn’s eyes before he turns away and watches the dancers.
I heave in a breath and frantically try to compose myself before anyone notices that I’m falling apart. I cannot cry at my wedding feast, it would be an absolute disaster.
Suddenly, Selwyn gets to his feet. The banquet hall falls silent. The dancers freeze. A thousand eyes stare at him expectantly.
“This feast looks lovely, but not as lovely as my new consort.”
Laughter.
“I’m afraid you will have to excuse me. I cannot wait until the end of the evening.”
More laughter.
Selwyn holds out his hand. Trembling, I place mine on top of his. The red ribbon is still binding us.
