I nodded and he raised a brow questioningly. "Yes, it's just... so much."
"I understand," he said.
I dropped my head to my hands for scarcely a moment before the door opened, I looked up to see Steed come in.
"Inner chamber," he directed Grey.
Grey stood and bowed slightly to me before swiftly leaving.
Steed took his place in the chair beside me. "Elfreda."
I tried to smile at him but couldn't pull it off.
"It's all right, Frey," he said.
"It's not," I blurted out before I could compose myself. "Everything is wrong, and different, and so... ugh." His expression was sympathetic and I found myself babbling, "I mean, all of a sudden I'm a lord and I have all these people after me and I hate fairies and attacked Anvil and secrets are everywhere in my dreams and the one person who I can't even speak to without falling apart is supposed to be my betrothed-" The flow cut off as my hand came up to cover my offending mouth, but it was too late, the words were out.
Steed didn't seem shocked, he was merely watching me calmly.
I sat frozen for a few moments before I finally asked, "You knew?"
I didn't specify what, it was plain by my reaction that I was referring to the arranged marriage. He simply replied, "It was common knowledge among the kingdom."
I felt the surprise on my face, sure he'd shown far too much interest in me for having known.
He caught my response and leaned forward as he explained in a low voice, "You denied him, Freya."
I felt a tingle run up my spine and sat slack-jawed as the blood drained from my face. My stomach turned when it all came together fully. Steed reached up and placed a hand on my shoulder to steady me.
I bit down hard against the swirl and forced myself to stay with him. When I thought I had myself under control enough, I allowed a short question. "Why?" My voice was shaky and, as soon as I'd asked, I wasn't sure I even wanted the answer.
Steed held his hand out to the side, palm up, and shrugged loosely. "I don't know. I wasn't around then." He grinned with only one side of his mouth and added, "I fancy that he wasn't handsome enough for you."
I ignored his sarcasm and, suddenly, I wanted nothing more than a subject change. "Where were you?" I asked.
He forced a smile. "I don't know exactly when it took place, but I recall hearing about it upon my return." I hadn't realized my eyes had narrowed until I heard his quiet laugh. "You always have been the best gossip, Elfreda." I'd forgotten my first question when he finally answered it. "I was with Grey, I believe."
"Grey?" I asked, completely sidetracked again.
"Yes." He smiled, more genuine this time. "I have known Grey for longer than I care to admit. And he has been smitten with Red for nearly as long."
I felt my eyes widen and he chuckled. "It must be so strange for you," he said.
I didn't want to think about it. "Where were you and Grey?"
"With my father," he answered, a fondness of the memory plain in his tone. "Grey had shown some interest in the horse trade then."
"He doesn't anymore?" I asked.
"Not since he's found Ruby." He sighed. "He was lost at his first look into her deep emerald eyes." He peered into mine as he spoke and I couldn't be sure whether he was taunting me. "So rare," he almost purred.
"Are they?" I asked without meaning to. I'd never seen another besides Ruby's but I'd just assumed I couldn't remember seeing others. No one in the village had my now dark, jeweled eyes but they hadn't had dark hair either, everything about them seemed to shine brightly. But I thought the color could have been common here.
"I've never seen another pair," he said plainly, "aside from her... and you." And then, as an afterthought, he added, "But I'd never met your mother."
I nodded automatically before I'd examined what he'd said. And then I realized what we'd all had in common. Half-breeds. All the elves I'd seen here had brown or black eyes and dark hair. It made me wonder how Fannie had changed but then I remembered my mother's description of her in the diary, her light features. I was unintentionally thinking out loud when I said, "So, when they bound me, they matched me to Fannie."
"Horrible decision if you ask me," Steed said. I glanced up at him, surprised, and he smiled. "I'm sure I much prefer you raven than hen."
I flushed but quickly recovered. "Steed, the next time Junnie is here, please help me see her. She's all I have." His face changed and he looked as if he wanted to say something. "Well, except for you guys, of course," I amended, worried I'd hurt his feelings.
He began to speak but the door opened and we both turned to see who was entering.
"Don’t trust me alone with her, then?" Steed teased when he saw it was Ruby.
"You should know by now," she joked back, but her humor was only half-hearted.
She pulled up a chair to join us but merely stood beside it. "How do you feel, Frey?"
"Super," I lied. She glared at me. "Did you find Storm?" I asked flatly.