Page 25 of When Wishes Bleed

He looked me over and smiled. “I would have invited you sooner if I’d known you would arrive looking so beautiful.”

There wasn’t anything contrived about his tone. Though he wanted me to be aware of the camera, he didn’t seem to be acting for it. “Thank you,” I said, pulling my hand away.

“Prince Tauren!” a man called, rushing down the hallway. “Your father is waiting for you.”

Tauren winked at me. “I’ll stop by later, once you’re settled.” He finally noticed Mira and Brecan hovering behind me. His smile faltered just a little, but he quickly recovered. “I’m forgetting my manners. Welcome to the palace.” He shook Brecan’s, then Mira’s hands and hurried after the man who’d come to retrieve him.

The fact that his suit was tailored perfectly for his body did not escape me.

The cameramen turned off their devices and scurried away somewhere.

“You can stop drooling now, Sable. The cameras are gone,” Brecan said sarcastically.

Mira slowly shook her head. “I don’t think we can.”

I could almost hear Brecan’s internal groan.

Our trunks were brought inside and loaded onto a large cart. Two men wheeled the cart past us while another gentleman in a stark white suit asked us to follow him upstairs, saying he would see us to our rooms. We climbed a wide staircase to the second floor, then the third where we were led down a long hallway lined with doors.

“This is the North Wing. Your rooms are situated at the end of the hall. Prince Tauren thought you might appreciate a measure of privacy. The Prince wasn’t sure if you would be escorted, but we prepared rooms just in case.”

“Thank you for your preparedness,” I said to be polite.

He gave me a proud nod, then removed three keys from his pockets, unlocking Mira’s door first and handing her the key to it. “Madam.”

Her room was the color of buttercups. I didn’t walk in, but knew she’d have ample space for all the trunks she brought along, and still have plenty more to move about the room. The bed wasn’t visible from the door, but a plush, white couch with blue pillows was. Mira promised to come help me change soon.

“Why would I need to change?”

She rolled her eyes. “That’s a traveling suit. You’ll need to wear a gown this evening, and I have just the thing.”

I bet she had shoes to match it. I hoped they concealed daggers in their heel, as well.

Our escort showed Brecan to his room and placed the key in his hand.

Brecan walked inside. “At least it’s blue,” he announced, walking farther into the room. “And huge… I have my own washroom.” A few seconds passed before he added, “With running water.”

At least Mira and Brecan were happy with their temporary quarters. The thought settled the nervousness simmering in my stomach.

The gentleman in white unlocked my room, which was situated directly across the hall from Brecan. He handed me the key and gently pushed the door open, holding the handle as I stepped inside. The faint smell of fresh paint filled the air. “Prince Tauren wanted you to feel at home,” the gentleman explained. “He thought you might enjoy this décor in particular.”

The walls were painted black, the trim stark white. A tall vase of red roses sat on a small table in the entryway, along with another wax-sealed letter. I grabbed it and held it to my stomach. The couch was black brocade, a plush red throw hanging over the back with matching pillows. The bed was covered in silky black fabric. Black. My favorite color.

The color I wanted the exterior and interior of my House to be repainted.

He noticed my House…

“He had this painted and decorated for me?” I asked.

The older man smiled. “You must be special to him, Miss Sable. He made no special alterations for any other invitee. In fact,” he leaned in to whisper, “he hasn’t greeted any of the other girls yet.”

I was sure it was just a coincidence. I’d merely arrived at the precise moment he was passing by the door. Nothing more. Mira appeared at my side and nudged me, but I couldn’t pay attention to her at the moment. I was trying and failing to quiet the moths flittering playfully in the pit of my stomach.

“I’ll have your things brought in shortly,” the man promised.

The man left me to stare at the room Tauren had designed for my comfort. Brecan stepped inside and stood behind me, every muscle tense. “It looks like you made quite an impression at the Equinox.”

Mira made a noise and slipped away. I almost tried to grab her arm and force her to stay. Maybe Brecan would leave well enough alone if she were with us.

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