“Precisely.” Lord Primrose beamed at her. “You understand the nuances of cosmic interpretation so perfectly, my darling. It’s like watching a nightingale comprehend the songs of wolves.”
Lady Kenneth coughed, covering a laugh.
The meal continued, staff refilling tea and bringing out fresh platters of pastries. Conversation flowed, touching on everything from upcoming court events to observations about the unseasonably warm weather.
I began to relax. Maybe one issue was over. Whatever had caused the giggling could’ve resolved itself, or the contamination had worked its way out of the food supply.
Then my mother giggled, a soft sound at first, barely noticeable. She held her napkin to her mouth, her eyes widening.
“Oh dear,” she said. “I’m not sure why that happened.”
Lord Turren’s laugh burst out next, startling him so much he almost dropped his mirror. “No, no, no. I was just starting to see improvement in my complexion.”
Giggles erupted from Lady Kenneth’s throat. She set down her fork, her long sigh ringing out.
Lady Edwina dissolved into helpless laughter, heramulets jingling with each shake of her shoulders. “The stones predicted upheaval, but I didn’t expect—” Another giggle cut her off.
Lord Primrose and Lady Daphnie began laughing in unison, which somehow made it worse. They reached for each other, their dramatic declarations of love interrupted by uncontrollable chuckles.
The first bubble of mirth rose in my chest and I tried to suppress it. I failed. A giggle escaped, then another.
Sasha’s hand flew to her mouth. Her dark eyes met mine, shock written across her features as laughter spilled through her fingers.
The dining room dissolved into chaos, everyone laughing while servants looked on with concern.
Sasha stood and grabbed my hand.
“Outside,” she said. “We need to?—”
Another wave of laughter cut off whatever she’d been about to say.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
SASHA
Igrabbed Dominic’s hand and pulled him toward the dining room door, laughter still bubbling up from my chest despite my efforts to suppress it. His fingers closed around mine as we stumbled through the doorway together.
“This way,” I managed between giggles, tugging him down the corridor toward the back entrance.
The uncontrollable laughter was uncomfortable now, more irritating than amusing. My stomach muscles ached from the constant spasms, and frustration built with each involuntary chuckle. This needed to stop. We needed to figure out what was causing this and end it.
Dominic’s hand tightened on mine as I stumbled over my own feet, his strength keeping me upright when another wave of giggles threatened to send me sprawling on the floor. Even impaired by whatever magical contamination we’d consumed, he moved with an awareness that protected me from obstacles, guiding me around a corner, steadying me when I wavered.
Even this simple touch sent sparks of awareness up myarm that had nothing to do with magic and everything to do with the man himself.
We burst through the back door into morning sunlight, the fresh air hitting my face like a blessing. I pulled him deeper into the gardens, past beds of wilted flowers and ornamental shrubs, until we were far enough from the manor house that I felt I could breathe.
The laughter began to fade, slowly at first, then more quickly as it had left our systems. By the time we reached a stone bench beneath a flowering tree, my giggles had subsided to occasional hiccups.
Dominic dropped onto the bench beside me, his breathing heavy.
“This is horrible,” he said, running his hand through his hair.
A fae gardener worked nearby, directing small sprites through weeding tasks with gentle gestures. The tiny magical creatures darted between plants, their luminescent wings catching the light as they worked. Gardening tools floated beside the gardener, moving in response to his subtle commands. Pruning shears trimmed deadheads while watering cans tended to thirsty blooms.
The casual display of magic that permeated every aspect of fae life still fascinated me. At home, witches used magic deliberately, with intention and focus. Here, it was as natural as breathing.
“I tested my food before I ate it,” I said. “I swear.”
