I decided to get back to the point. “So, the Light Fey, barring batshit-crazy fey queens—”
“Princess. I think she was going for queen.”
“Whatever. But barring people like Alfhild, all dead fey go back to Faerie?”
He nodded. “Of course, I cannot speak for the Dark Fey, as I do not know their habits here. But I would suspect that, at the very least, their bones are sent through a portal.”
I thought about that. It was interesting—I hadn’t known much about fey beliefs before—but it didn’t help with my original question. “So, Olga promised to send the boy back if he died, and then he said something else. Just a few words. Do you remember?”
“Vaguely.” Caedmon’s head tilted. “It seemed mere nonsense. Was it important?”
“I don’t know.” It was probably nothing, just confusion from the pain and shock. But I decided I’d have Olga ask him when he woke up.
I don’t like mysteries.
“Are you done?” Caedmon asked, watching me wrap up the remains of my feast, not that there was much left. I hated to admit it, but swan made for a damned fine meal. Especially fat young swan raised on popcorn and peanuts by the locals.
“Yeah.” I agreed. “All ready for bed.”
“Excellent idea.”
I put a hand to his chest, which was infringing on my space suddenly. “Alone, your majesty.”
“Why so formal? Call me Caedmon.”
“Okay, then. Alone, Caedmon.”
“You know, I always find that I sleep better after exercise.” I suddenly found myself on my back, with a randy fey king on top. “Wanna wrestle?”
“Get off me!?
??
“Don’t tell me you’re still toying with that annoying vampire.”
“Louis-Cesare. And yes.”
“And here I thought you’d be bored with him by now.”
“Not bored.”
“Give it time.”
“Caedmon—”
“I’ll tie one hand behind my back,” he offered.
“Tie both, and your legs while you’re at it!”
“Ah.” Green eyes glimmered down at me, so dark they were almost black. “But that would leave me at your mercy, and I suspect that could be . . . dangerous.”
I flipped him, and a second later the knife he’d been playing with was at his throat. “You have no idea.”
His eyes flashed, but his lips slid into a purely evil smile. “But then, danger has always been something of a hobby of mine. I’ll spot you both arms—”
“You’ll behave or I’ll kick you out!” I said, and climbed off. He sighed, but didn’t look too displeased. Probably because toying with me was just the overture, wasn’t it?
The main event hadn’t even started.