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Chapter twenty-four
Theystaredatmewith wide eyes, looked at each other, then back at me. Like scolded school boys, they nodded.
I forced my anger out with my breath until I was able to speak calmy. “Good. I’ll move into the palace tomorrow. Would you like to tell me what I need to know? I could do with some help.”
Even if I shouldn’t trust them, I couldn’t ignore the pull they had on me. And I would like to spend the day with them, learning about Fae manners, customs, and how not to embarrass myself at the court. At least, that was my hope.
But after the girls served lunch, I was hit with another wave of fatigue. Both Daeary and Bleddyn offered to help, but I waved them off. Their worried gazes followed me as I struggled up the stairs to my room. Once on my bed, I spent a few hours dozing.
Bleddyn and Daeary took turns to inquire about my health. I should have been happy they weren’t bashing each other’s brains in, but I was too damn tired.
Finally, as it turned dark outside my window, I threw my covers aside, pissed at myself for wasting the whole day. Daeary had left the tavern to take care of some business. Bleddyn’s mouth twisted at the word “business,” as if he’d swallowed something nasty. I would have called him out on it, but honestly, I couldn’t be bothered.
The girls were holed up in the kitchen, and Bleddyn brought a plate of bread and cheese with some kind of preserved fruit on the side. It was simple fare, but it hit the spot. I felt much better after the second slice.
He sat next to me, never taking his eyes off me, until I sighed and pushed the plate away.
“Finished?”
“Yeah. Thanks for saving me some grub.”
I burped gently, and he grinned. “Of course. It would not do to have the heir to the throne starve. Are you ready to leave here in the morrow?”
The cheese and bread turned into lead as his words sank in. Once again, I’d taken his concern personally. All he was interested in was following his master’s orders. To make sure I was in good enough condition to be delivered to the court tomorrow.
My head dropped, and I closed my eyes to fight the rising nausea. Daeary returned before I could excuse myself again, entering through the kitchen as he’d done before.
“Finally. I thought you would never surface.”
His good-natured banter, his obvious pleasure to see me, lifted my spirits a tiny bit. Whatever business he’d had to look after had done him a world of good. Maybe he’d spent the day at some faerie spa. His skin glowed, and his hair shone with health. His eyes sparkled, and his whole posture was relaxed, yet he was bursting with energy.
Bleddyn glowered at him, but Daeary took no notice. He sat on the other side of me and took my hand. When our skin touched, sparks seemed to jump from his body to mine. It didn’t hurt—quite the contrary.
Without any more than a touch and a glance, my face flushed and my breathing sped up. Looking into his eyes, I remembered the fire as he’d moved inside of me… I took a shaky breath and pulled my hand away.
“Typical. One demon touch, and you women melt.”
Bleddyn’s words were so full of contempt, my eyes narrowed in response. There was something else in his expression, though. I studied his gorgeous face as his gaze skittered away. And then I had it. He was jealous. The question was of who?
But there was something else.
“Why do you call Dairy a demon?”
Bleddyn glanced at the other man, but before he could answer, Daeary cut him off. “Please, human. Try to pronounce my name the correct way. It’s notDairy. It’s Daeary.”
I didn’t hear the difference, but I was willing to try. “Daiery?”
“Goddess, you would try the patience of acraig.”
I didn’t know what craig meant, but I got the gist of it. “Hey, I’m doing my best. I’m not good at languages.”
“I am sure you are excellent at other things.” He looked at me from underneath his inky lashes, his fiery eyes smouldering.
Bleddyn cut in quickly, “You never told us why you are here in our realm.”
That doused the flame licking at my insides. I was here for several reasons, and none of them were pleasant. Swallowing a sigh, I sat up straight, and stared at my folded hands, preparing to the repeat the story. “I recently learned my mother was killed while I was a baby. A few weeks ago, I lost my father to a Fae assassin. An incubus, I was told.”
This time it was Daeary who looked away. I stared at him, sure I was missing something important.
