Chapter fourteen
Dyfri
It’s hard not to sneeze as I push open the door of the secret passage. As I step out into Laurie’s art studio, dazzling winter sunlight assaults my eyes.
Laurie whirls to face me, paintbrush in hand, and the dire wolf wags her tail, thumping it against the floorboards where she is sprawled.
“Dyfri!” Laurie exclaims brightly.
His astonishingly blue eyes are full of joy, as if he truly is very happy to see me. I narrow my eyes, but I still can’t find the lie, no matter how hard I search his face. It is very annoying.
“Is your husband here?” I ask.
Laurie nods. “He is in his study.”
My gaze drifts over to the canvas on the easel. The image is still taking shape, but it’s clearly a very erotic depiction of my brother.
Laurie blushes impressively and steps in front of it, blocking my view.
“I take it my brother is treating you well?” I ask dryly.
Laurie nods fervently. “And your husband…”
“Is a teddy bear,” I assure him.
Laurie’s shoulders drop, and a look of relief flows over his pretty face. Almost as if he was worried about me. Which has to be utter nonsense.
His gaze lifts up to my hair, and he smiles. “You still have my friendship braid.”
My body bristles. “I’m keeping all the braids I can get.”
“Okay,” Laurie says softly.
He really is far too sweet. He was horribly abused as a child, yet somehow manages to be kind, innocent and trusting.
Unlike me in every way. I’m bitter and twisted and so very, very angry. All the time.
I draw myself up to full height. “I don’t have time for chitchat.” Then, I turn on my heels and stride away.
“See you later, Dyfri,” Laurie says cheerfully to my back. He truly is annoying.
I march into Selwyn’s study. He puts down the piece of paper he was reading and stares at me expectantly. Sunlight slanting across his face from the latticed window.
“Our plans have been disrupted,” I tell him.
Wait? Did I really just speak English? Is living with humans as well as befriending them, addling my mind that much?
Selwyn steeples his fingers together and leans back in his padded red leather chair. “What happened?”
“One of your stupid dragon riders nearly ruined everything,” I inform him, in Fey.
His eyebrow rises.
“They approached Jack, and then Jack thought I was going to cause his downfall by informing Rhydian, and was about to strike first, so I had to reveal my intentions.”
Selwyn nods. “Things have been brought forward sooner than expected, but that is manageable.”
“Is it?” I say as I collapse into the chair facing his desk and help myself to the drink by his elbow. He probably poured it for himself, but it’s mine now.
