Page 103 of When Wishes Bleed

Tauren had already bidden farewell to Tessa in front of the cameras. She boarded a carriage outside the palace, waved goodbye, and didn’t look back. Mira watched the telecast while I showered, reporting every detail as she braided my dark hair and applied my makeup. I think she was trying to get my mind off the terrible nightmare I had.

Rose cringed at the sight of my raven-colored dress as I walked closer. Two cameramen were preoccupied, checking the angles of their cameras to make sure the entire table was captured, when she stood and rounded the table, stopping to whisper, “Would it kill you to wear something other than black?”

“Yes,” I replied sweetly.

“I sent instructions to your escort for you to wear something… brighter.”

“Well, my escorts and I don’t answer to you, and I prefer to wear this color. So, I politely decline.”

If Rose were a tea kettle, she’d whistle. The fake mask she’d worn since waltzing into the palace, expecting to win a crown and a prince, had begun to crack.

“Fine,” she recovered, smoothing her hands down her dress just as three kettles of hot water were brought in. Rose moved to place them on the table as the crew raised their hands to indicate the live feed would begin in five, four, three… they counted down with their fingers.

Rose flashed her famous megawatt smile, a dimple popping in her cheek. She toyed with her beautiful red hair and stared into the nearest camera. “Thank you all for coming. Afternoon tea is an important tradition in my family. It allows us to step away from all the important work we do and take a breath, recharge, and reconnect with one another.”

She lay tea bags into our empty floral cups, smiling as she made her way around the table, serving Tauren last, only so she could fill his cup with steaming water first. He thanked her and waited as the tea steeped. I could still smell the love potion on her skin, but Tauren wasn’t affected. That was the down side to using them. The target often became immune if actual feelings weren’t present.

A sense of relief loosened my ribs, although the fact that he didn’t love Rose tormented me. I was beyond happy that he didn’t. But would he marry her anyway and enter a loveless marriage for the sake of Nautilus?

Estelle wrinkled her nose at the smell. She obviously wasn’t a tea fan.

I loved the taste, but better than that were the leaves that foretold.

Ripples spread across the surface of Leah’s tea. She took a sip. Knox whispered something in her ear, then clinked her cup with his. The two might as well have been in their own world, and now the entire Kingdom knew they were interested in one another.

Tauren grinned at them both, then motioned for a cameraman to come closer. “In case you haven’t noticed, my brother and Leah have hit it off. Leah declined my invitation, but I have hopes she might receive another.”

Knox never took his eyes off Leah. “Actually, that’s rather perfect timing, brother.” He stood up and pushed his chair out, kneeling in front of Leah. She clutched her chest, awestruck by Knox as he pulled an enormous gold and emerald ring from his pocket. “Green is your favorite color, and it reminds me of every fleck of the shade in your eyes. We haven’t known each other long, but the thought of you leaving tears my heart to shreds. Will you stay? And will you consider being my wife?”

My brows raised at the tender question. I knew they enjoyed one another’s company, but marriage? Marriage, to everyone but witches, was for life. Marriages were rarely dissolved, and only under the direst of circumstances. The King himself had to counsel anyone seeking divorce.

Leah silently cried, even as she smiled. She nodded her head and threw her arms around Knox’s neck. “Yes!”

Estelle started clapping beside me, and soon, applause filled the room as everyone rose from their seats. The cameras whirred, panning in and out on Leah, Knox, and the ring. I imagined Mira squealing at the sight as she watched the events unfold upstairs.

Tauren’s eyes met mine, glittering happily as his hearty claps and wide smile filled the room. Once Knox rose and kissed his future bride, his brother was there to greet him with a hug.

Rose watched them both with a plastered-on, saccharine smile. She made sure to catch the eye of a cameraman as she pretended to swoon over the engagement, but when they focused on the rest of the party, Rose continued to stare at the brothers with a calculating eye. I wondered if she saw them as men, or simply as a means to a queenly end.

After everyone settled back at the table and the congratulations had ended, Rose suggested everyone drink their tea before it got too cold. She was not happy she wasn’t the center of attention, like she’d undoubtedly planned.

“So, can witches read tea leaves, or what?” Estelle asked after sipping hers again.

“I can,” I answered.

“How? I want a reading!” she pressed.

“Now is really not the time,” Rose snipped, sharp as a thorn.

Knox nodded his head. “That would actually be really interesting to watch.”

Instead of responding, Rose passed everyone what she called biscuits, though they were actually cookies. Hard cookies. They nearly broke my teeth when I tried to bite one.

I put the cookie down and hoped everyone would let the tea leaf thing go.

They didn’t.

Instead, they tore open their tea bags and emptied their leaves into the water. “Will you at least read for one of us?” Tauren pleaded. His voice was hopeful and worried at the same time.

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