“Do you wish for company, or is this a solo sport?”
Jack stops pacing and looks at me with something approaching exasperation. “How are you so calm about this? Your brother spent the entire afternoon studying me like I was some sort of lab specimen.”
“Because that’s exactly what he was doing,” I reply. “And you passed.”
“Passed what, exactly?”
I take a sip of wine, considering how much to reveal. “Rhydian was determining whether you’re a threat to me.”
Jack’s expression shifts. “A threat? How could I be a threat to you?”
The question is so genuinely bewildered that something warm unfurls in my chest. He truly doesn’t understand his own capacity for harm, does he? This large, muscular man, who could break me in half without breaking a sweat if I ever lowered my guard or was taken unaware, and he can’t fathom how he might be dangerous.
It’s... endearing. And terrifying in equal measure.
“You’re considerably larger than I am,” I say carefully, repressing a shudder. Jack doesn’t need to know everything, but he can know this. “You are physically stronger. And you were essentially given ownership of me through marriage. From a fey perspective, that makes you inherently dangerous.”
“Ownership?” Jack’s voice rises slightly. “I don’t own you. Marriage isn’t ownership.”
“Isn’t it?” I meet his eyes directly. “Human marriage, perhaps not. But fey marriage customs are... different. I am your consort. You own me, and I must obey you.”
Jack goes very still. “Dyfri.”
“It’s fine,” I say quickly. “Rhydian was simply ensuring you understand that I’m not to be... misused. And you clearly do understand that, which is why he approved of you.”
“He approved of me?”
“Oh yes. Quite thoroughly, I’d say.” I smile, remembering the moment Jack’s expression had shifted to pure fury when he looked at my brother. “Particularlywhen you made it clear exactly what you think of my former status at court.”
Jack flushes. “You noticed that?”
“Rather difficult to miss. You looked like you wanted to reach across the table and throttle him.” The memory sends a small thrill through me. “It was... unexpected.”
“Unexpected how?”
I set down my wineglass, suddenly finding it difficult to maintain eye contact. “Very few people have ever been angry on my behalf before. Not like that.”
The words slip out before I can stop them, more honest than I intended. Jack’s expression softens immediately, and I have to look away before the gentleness in his eyes unmakes me completely.
“Dyfri,” he says softly, moving closer. “Look at me.”
I don’t want to. Looking at him when he is using a tone like this is dangerous. It makes me want things I’ve spent a lifetime learning not to want.
“Please.”
I lift my eyes to his, and immediately regret it. There’s something fierce and protective in his expression that makes my chest tight.
“Your brother is an arse,” Jack says firmly. “A complete and utter arse for letting anyone hurt you. And if he thinks a few polite words about ‘treating you kindly’ make up for years of doing nothing while you suffered, he’s deluded.”
The vehemence in his voice does something strange to my equilibrium. “Jack...”
He stops his rant and gives me his full attention. Another sign that he respects me. Another marker of his inherent goodness.
“Rhydian did what he could. His power is not absolute. No rulers are. Power is given when people choose to bestow it upon you. They can withdraw it at any time.”
Jack’s pretty colour-changing eyes narrow. He is not convinced.
I take a deep breath. I can’t believe I am about to share this. I have never explicitly told a soul. Yet for some reason, when I look into Jack’s eyes, I wish to spill all my secrets. Every last one.
