Free Flicker by Kaye Thornbrugh

her hair. She shivered, and her wings twitched. He really did love her. Her, of all fey.
    It didn’t happen by accident, of course. She ’d worked hard ; Umbriel would never have noticed her had she wait ed around. And now she was beside him, and she had his love, and it didn’t matter how she’d garnered it. Not to Umbriel, at least. He was content to have her around.
    Suddenly, Umbriel drew back from her, his expression pinched, as if he’d remembered something unpleasant.
    “Otherworld is a lonely place, even when one is at Court ,” he said, turning his attention to the lute. His tone was different now, darker. Something cold twisted inside Byrony’s chest. “I have missed you.”
    “Umbriel ?” The strange glint in his eyes worried her.
    “There was a rumor going around,” he continued, not quite looking at her, “that you bartered away the painter girl with the pretty green eyes. To a human boy. A
    Seer, no less. A rumor that proved to be true.”
Byrony said nothing. He knew what she had done.
    “I had thought better of your judgment,” Umbriel sighed. “I trusted you to look after her while I was away.”
    She shook her head. “You grow so attached to these humans of yours . It was high time for a fresh one, my love. She had done for us all she would ever do.”
    Umbriel gave the lute an impatient strum. “The girl did no harm. She was a sweet thing, and she paint ed lovely pictures for us. Y et you handed her off without a thought for what might befall her after.”
    Her mouth opened, but no decent explanation came to mind. How could she tell him of the anger that burned in her chest each time he smiled at the human girl, or patted her hair, or brought fresh paints to her personally? Umbriel was all love and sunlight ; he disliked unpleasant things. That was why he spent so much time traveling with the revels, returni ng to Court only when summoned.
    She couldn’t stop those feelings, though, the rage and the jealousy. They welled up inside her like dark water. Such possessiveness was un attractive, she knew, but ne cessary. There were many who desired Umbriel. She had to remain vigilant, lest anyone forget to whom he belonged.
    In fact, as long as Umbriel remained unaware of her darker side, she saw no reason to attempt to change herself. She’d come this far, gotten everyt hing she wanted . Why change now?
    But now Umbriel was looking at her almost as if he could see her, really see her, behind the veil of her love, and into the darker place inside.
    “The boy,” she muttered finally. “He seemed harmless enough.”
    “ I would have prefer red to forget the matter entirely,” Umbriel continued, ignoring her comment. “ The girl was pl easant, but not irreplaceable. I could have a dozen painters brought here tomorrow if I wished. I would offer my sincerest forgiveness in exchange for a smile.”
    For a moment, she had hope. Then she saw the expression in his eyes: They looked as if a layer of frost had settled over them. She felt nothing but their chill.
    “But it isn’t a s simple as that. Queen Feronia is displeased with you. She thinks you impetuous. She thinks you other thing s, as well.” He shook his head.
    “I know that,” Byrony replied stiffly. “Since you first presented me to the Court, Feronia has wanted nothing more than to part us and see you safely married to a noble.”
    “ Indeed she has. But Feronia has also continually reminded me that I must be in harmony w ith the one who rules beside me,” Umbriel said . “ With that, at least, I agree. My consort must be both capable in helping me rule, and mindful of my authority.”
    Byrony colored. That description brought only one person to mind.
    “Would you make me into Carri ck?” she asked, sharper than she’d intended . “I am not he.”
    She knew Carrick, Umbriel’s beloved friend and fierce protector, all too well. Since childhood, he had lived for Umbriel , becoming whatever the prince needed , just as