I am not completely useless. I understand some things, and I am learning the intricacies of the fey court.
Selwyn’s brow furrows. He doesn’t move an inch.
I sigh in surrender. “Dyfri has to attend, and I would feel awful if I left him to face all the gossip and rumours alone. If I go, half the crowd will whisper behind my back instead of his.”
Silence. Selwyn’s expression is unreadable. Surely my confession will move him? I stare at him and watch as the look in his eyes slowly softens.
“You are very brave,” says Selwyn.
“You know I’m not,” I snort.
Selwyn chuckles, and his eyes gleam. He steps up to me and plants a tender kiss on the top of my head. One that makes my heart flutter.
Goodness. Is his plan to make my knees so weak I can’t go? Because that might actually be working.
He grins and offers me his arm.
Oh thank heavens! He has relented, and I am allowed to attend the garden party. I am so relieved.
We stroll arm in arm through Buckingham Palace and out into the gardens. Loki trotting behind us all the way. Selwyn leads the way to a large hollow, as big as a ballroom, and encircled by large oak trees. The ground dips down behind the trees, forming a circle. At the foot of the oak trees, creating a perfect perimeter around the hollow, is a ring of bright red toadstools.
It is a little disconcerting. But I have my fey husband on my arm, so I am sure I am safe.
As we step into the hollow, everything feels different. The nighttime air smells sweeter. All the background sounds of London disappear. The light is brighter, eventhough the only lights I can see are fireflies dancing around the toadstools.
I look up and gasp. There are so many stars. Too many. The Milky Way is clear. A vibrant slash across the sky. Luminous in pale blue.
Selwyn’s grip on my arm tightens.
“It is so beautiful!” I say with a smile to reassure him.
His grip relaxes. He returns my smile, and I see the ancient starlight reflected in his eyes.
I’m barely aware of all the people here. There is a low beat of drums, and in the very centre of the hollow, fey are dancing in circles. Creating a swirling array of brightly coloured silks.
Plenty of other fey are milling around on the edges. Talking in small groups and drinking from goblets.
This isn’t so bad. Maybe I truly will settle into the fey court. Perhaps one day it will feel like home.
Loki wanders off a little way to investigate the fireflies. I look up at Selwyn. He hasn’t let go of my arm. Surely he has people he needs to talk to?
But he simply grins at me and makes no move to leave.
My heart does a little happy dance, and I turn my attention back to watching the crowd. People are starting to stare at me. My arrival has been noticed.
I watch as more and more heads turn my way and people lean in close to one another to whisper. Strangely, it is not bothering me in the slightest. Selwyn is by my side. My arm is in his, and everything is fine. It is only gossip, it can’t hurt me.
The dancers swirl and a gap briefly forms. I glimpse my mother on the other side of the hollow. Glaring right at me.
I swallow and tighten my grip on Selwyn’s arm. She must be furious at this scandal I have caused. It has probably ruined many of her plans. She won’t want to be the mother of a scandalous prince consort.
Selwyn puts his free hand over mine. Reassuring me with a simple touch. My mother can fume all she likes. She is not allowed to even talk to me, let alone punish me.
Suddenly, everyone is looking towards my right. My gaze follows the crowd’s, just in time to see Dyfri glide into the hollow. His head is held high, and he looks magnificent. His robes are all jet black with flashes of ruby red. His hair is loose, but it gleams. Raven dark. As dark as his elegant horns that curl backwards before ending in wickedly sharp looking points.
He ignores all the stares, as if everyone here is far beneath him, and strides over to where the goblets of mead are being served.
He is so very princely. I can’t believe that all of court thinks I ordered him to do anything.
