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I suppose the folk don’t travel through the mainland much. “Many. There are tons of them in the woods. And dwarves, and dryads, and goblins.”
“Are the high fae as handsome as the stories say?”
I can’t lie. “More so. They’d steal your heart and eat it, too.”
She giggles, unscrewing the last part of her stand. “You’re nice.” She glances at her brother, almost shyly. “His ladies aren’t usually nice.”
I frown, thinking about Blythe, who seemed lovely when I did meet her.
“That would be because I’m not his lady,” I whisper conspiratorially.
“That’s a shame. I could do with some nice women in the castle.”
I bet she could.
Dyfina Reiks’s life is a thousand times worse than mine at Five. I have my family, and some friendship. I’m not certain she has any such thing here.
At least in a few years, when she attends Five, she’ll be well versed in the art of surviving cruelty and indifference.
“Things will get better for you Dyfina. I can feel it.”
I wonder if she can tell I’m lying through my teeth.
She’s stuck in this place until she leaves for Five in a few years. Then, she’ll deal with her own versions of the three Cs. I have my cousins, but by the time she’s old enough for university, Reiks will have graduated and left.
Unless she finds some strength, she’s screwed.
CHAPTERFOURTEEN
THE MASTER
Food at the royal keep is a bland affair, but at least the throne-like chair at the center of the table remains empty. As the king doesn’t make an appearance, it’s not complete torture.
Dyfina’s shyness extends to her brother, though Reiks attempts to engage her in conversation. “How do you like your classes, Fifi?”
“They’re very instructive, brother.” The picture of demure, she sips her plain broth without wincing.
If the poor girl only eats food from this place, I pity her like I have never pitied a royal in the past.
“And your friends? Milena’s still your companion?”
Dyfina’s silver eyes betray a degree of sorrow, but she nods. “She is.”
I’m certainly not eating the swill in front of me, so I observe the siblings, trying to pinpoint the finer tunes of their dynamic. It’s hard when both of them are so composed. Dyfina’s awkwardness has been tamed by strict etiquette.
I don’t know whether she dislikes her brother, or if she simply is aware that he’s to be her ruler, one day, but these two aren’t nearly as close as I am with any of my cousins.
“Do you travel much, Dyfina?” I’m probably trampling over a dozen rules of royal engagement, but no one’s close enough to overhear us, and I doubt she’s one to take umbrage to being called by her name rather than a title.
The court dines in front of us, seven rows of white tables set either side of ours, but the closest is several yards away.
I expect her to say yes. Her brother did at her age. She flushes and shakes her head. “Not at all. I’m not of a very strong constitution, you see, so I can’t.”
She doesn’t look sick, but I’m well aware that some ailments leave no physical trace. “Oh. I do hope your condition isn’t serious.”
She manages a half smile and sips more broth.
I make a mental note to avoid shoving my entire foot in my mouth more than necessary, and leave the two siblings to carry out their painstaking, impersonal conversation.
