Page 108 of Empress of Fae

It was this thought, the thought of Draven, that filled my heart with the courage to play my part.

“Please. There is no need for formal titles. Call me Fenyx.”

“Very well. Have you lived in Camelot long, Fenyx? I can’t recall meeting you before I left.”

“I spent my youth in Rheged. My family fostered me with a noble family there.”

I was surprised, but this helped me put my finger on the distinctive sound in his voice. His words were always very clipped and precise.

“You must be wondering how a man from Rheged becomes your brother’s most trusted advisor, Lady Morgan,” Fenyx said.

His voice was a deep baritone, edged with authority like Draven’s. But with none of Draven’s richness of speech or his sincerity.

“I wasn’t about to ask such a prying question, but it is a good one,” I admitted.

He laughed. “My family sent me to Rheged to learn all I could about their ways. They have a distinct warrior culture, you know. One which died out in soft Pendrath decades ago.”

I thought of Dame Halyna and Sir Ector and all of our fine, strong knights but said nothing.

“Rheged prides itself on strength,” Fenyx continued. “Their ways may be brutal, but they are effective. And my loyalty has always been to Pendrath—my family ensured that this was so. So, when your brother began his campaign of battle, I was eager to return from my family’s country seat and join him.”

“Considering Rheged offered Arthur their aid and then withdrew it, I’m surprised my brother did not turn his fury towards that nation,” I said carefully, “rather than expending our forces upon peaceful Lyonesse and Tintagel.”

“Tintagel and Lyonesse were peaceful,” Fenyx agreed. “And thus, ripe for the plucking. Once we have them under our belt, we’ll be in a position to go after Rheged. A much more challenging foe.”

“I can imagine,” I murmured.

“You need not be afraid any longer, Lady Morgan,” he said, mistaking my reticence for nervousness. “The witch is dead, and soon all of her followers will be, too. Some like to speak of an uprising in Camelot, but the truth is that the traitors are few and far between. We will keep order in this city, I assure you of that.”

“That’s a great relief,” I lied. Immensely relieved to know Fenyx thought my rebel friends would be so easily put down.

“In fact, most of the time, there is so little to occupy the residents of Camelot that your brother and I have been considering some new forms of amusement. To rally the people and give them a little taste of the excitement that takes place on the faraway front lines,” Fenyx went on.

I couldn’t hide my frown. “Camelot seems to be in a precarious state, does it not? I have heard some in the court speak of food shortages—”

“Nonsense.” Fenyx brushed my question away. “Those rumors are greatly exaggerated. Amongst those who have nothing to do but sit in the markets refusing to seek the work of good, honest soldiers, perhaps there the lack is felt. But most of the citizens receive grain rations. All who have family fighting for the king do. They are small, yes, but more than adequate to maintain good health.”

I thought of the children I had seen. Wide-eyed and emaciated. I thought of the refugees and the missing bodies. But I said nothing.

I removed my hand from Fenyx’s arm and wandered a little ways ahead.

“Tell me more about this entertainment you and my brother have planned,” I said over my shoulder. I clasped my hands behind my back carefully so that he would not be tempted to try to take one.

Fenyx moved to follow me, trailing so closely, I could smell the scent he had drenched himself in. A musky fragrance with a sickeningly sweet undertone of vanilla.

I thought of Draven’s scent. Leather and woodsmoke. Sandalwood and cinnamon. Warm and earthy. There was an ache in my chest as I remembered it.

“It will be a grand tournament,” Fenyx boasted. “Like nothing this kingdom has ever seen.”

I followed the pathway towards the fountain, and bending over, trailed my hand in the water. “How marvelous.”

“Of course, you and the queen will be at the center of it all. Seated up in the royal pavilion so all of the city may gaze upon your beauty.”

“How wonderful,” I murmured, trying to conceal the disgust I was feeling at being at the center of such a thing.

A hand shot out and gripped my wrist, yanking me to a halt.

I gasped as I was spun about. I found myself facing Fenyx very closely, my chest pressed against his breastplate. I tilted my head up to look at him.

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