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“That’s quite a mouthful.”
“Using Dwen seems to be on the rise.” She let go of his hand and gave a shrug. If one person was going to shorten her name, then others might as well too. And she didn’t really mind Dwen. It was a lot easier to say.
“Okay then, Dwen. This is my brother, Cyprus, but everyone calls him Cy.”
The other brother held out his hand and she took that too. His grasp was firmer than his brother’s, and his face more serious, but she still found herself enjoying the warmth of his hand as they exchanged greetings.
“Good evening, Cy.”
He nodded to her once.
“He doesn’t really talk much,” Brandon supplied, shrugging like it wasn’t important. “And if he does, then you’re truly special. He barely even talks to Mum and Dad anymore. Only Ari when they’re alone.”
“Ari?” she squeaked, a surprising amount of jealousy unfurling within her. Where was that coming from? She wasn’t a jealous person by nature, and it seemed unlikely that two random twins should bring it out in her.
“One of our older sisters. She might come scold us if she sees us talking to you.”
Cyprus smiled at his twin’s words, and she just knew he was agreeing with the man. Though she wasn’t sure how. It was kind of odd to think she knew what one of them was thinking and feeling. It made no sense.
“Why would she do that?”
“They have a habit of hassling pretty women,” the auburn haired woman she’d spotted earlier interrupted. She smiled indulgently at the two men, and now they were all close, she could see the family resemblance.
“We weren’t hassling, Ari, we were just talking to Dwen.”
“Is that even your name?” Ari asked her.
“Yes.”
“You’re not a shifter?”
“No,” she answered instantly, slightly offended by the question.
“Not yet, anyway,” Ari replied cryptically. “As you were, little brothers. No causing a scene at my party.” With that, she strode away, leaving Aledwen completely flummoxed over what had just happened. She was pretty sure none of it made any sense to anyone but the other woman.
“Wonder what she meant by that,” Brandon said, amusement colouring his tone. She guessed he wasn’t worried about it in the slightest then. Somehow that wasn’t reassuring.
“I was hoping you could tell me.” True. She did hope they could shed some light on the words. There was a theory playing on her mind, but she didn’t want to think about that too much. While she did want love, and she wanted the truest kind, there was a big part of her that wasn’t sure she was actually ready for it. Especially not if it meant a shake up of life as she knew.
Then again, that was coming the moment everyone figured out she didn’t have enough magic to get through the Birth.
“So, any recommendations?” she prompted, turning back to the food laden table.
“Let us have a proper look.”
Both of the brothers wandered up and down the table, pointing out things to each other, before exchanging nods and shakes of the head. She watched in fascination. Cyprus really didn’t seem to speak, even to Brandon, and yet they were communicating with each other so seamlessly.
And she loved watching them. It was fascinating, and kind of beautiful. It was a bond that far transcended any other she’d witnessed.
Maybe that was just down to the rivalries that seemed to spring up between fae sisters. And the fact that fae brothers were looked down on for only being halflings. It was a stupid system. She’d have given anything for a sibling of her own. Someone to share the experience of growing up with, and getting into trouble with. A twin would have been perfect, but they just didn’t seem to be very common when it came to her people.
“Here, we think you’ll like this,” Brandon said, handing her a plate that appeared to have some bread, apple and cheese on it. She frowned at him. That wasn’t what she’d expected him to get. It wasn’t opulent or fancy.
“Okay...”
“Just trust me, Dwen.”
And weirdly, she did. She shrugged, and slowly raised the loaded up bread to her lips. She bit down, conscious of both the men’s eyes on her as she did so. Hopefully the thoughts accompanying their gazes weren’t too inappropriate. Though maybe she wouldn’t be complaining about that at a later date. Something told her this wasn’t the last time she was going to spend time with the twins.
