Page 32 of When Wishes Bleed

“Not at all, but you are an invitee, technically, and this first informal meeting will be filmed.”

“I need to be present,” I said, finally understanding what he meant.

“I need you at my side,” he corrected.

As Tauren and I left Brecan in the hallway and readied ourselves to step into an intimate sitting room, he took hold of my hand. Startled, I pulled away. “I’m not sure that’s a very good idea, Prince. You’ll be marrying one of these women.”

“You’re right.” His face flushed, but he schooled his features and held the door open for me. I stepped inside, feeling his legs brush the skirt of my dress. His closeness was confusing, setting me at ease and on edge all at once.

Every woman in the room zoomed in on us, as did the cameras’ wide lenses. I stepped away from him, walking to the side of the room and perching against a wall as he spoke to the group.

“Ladies, thank you very much for accepting my invitation,” he began, sweeping his eyes across the room. “This year, I break with tradition. This year, I’ve extended an invitation to thirteen women, one from each of Nautilus’s sectors. Miss Sable,” inclining his head toward me, “is from Thirteen. And before you ask, yes, she is a witch.” His smile gleamed as he looked at each of them in turn, then to me.

Must he state the obvious? I cringed, even as I plastered on a grateful smile and peered around the room of women who were not only beautiful, but ruthless. Some dismissed me at first glance. Others saw me as a threat.

Brecan silently slithered into the room, moving out of sight of the cameras, and many of the women nonchalantly glanced in his direction. They were in for a treat. Not only was Tauren handsome, but now they could ogle Brecan as well. The two couldn’t be more different. And not just in the light and dark hues of their hair, but in their demeanors. They were from two different worlds that existed within the same kingdom.

Tauren stared at me, and when I caught the heat of his stare, he ticked his head toward the women. Each and every one was lovely. Each was beautiful and unique. Red hair and pale skin, dark skin and pale hair, freckles and those without a single freckle to be found. All of them, I realized, wore pastel colors.

Our party was the only one wearing a dark hue… with the exception of the Prince. He also wore black, though a crisp, white shirt peeked out from beneath his coat. His ensemble somehow bridged a gap between them and me.

Mira was right. All the women’s dresses accentuated their breasts. I was shocked a few hadn’t spilled out of their corsets entirely.

Before I knew it, Brecan stood beside me. “Let the game begin,” he whispered, flashing me a look I couldn’t read. He wasn’t wrong, though I doubted any of these women were capable of murder.

With the official greeting concluded, everyone chatted together, most sticking with the familiar and conversing with their escorts. The cameramen looked bored.

Tauren made his way around the room, stopping on my right side when he reached me and keeping his distance from Brecan, whom he shot a dark look. “Didn’t we agree you would remain in the hallway?”

Brecan smiled. “My duty is to Sable alone.”

Tauren let it go. He leaned in close. “See anyone who looks suspicious?”

“Not in the least,” I replied, looking at the women.

“That’s what I thought. I’d like you to meet some of the staff after dinner, maybe shake a few hands?” he asked, brows raised.

“That’s fine.”

He nodded and cleared his throat, leaning back against the wall and surveying the room. He looked uncomfortable slouching and soon stood up straight again, striding back to the front of the room.

“I have a small gift for each of you. Well, it’s a gift, but also a way to help me keep you all straight.” The ladies tittered as if he’d told the funniest joke they’d ever heard. Thirteen servants, wearing stark-white uniforms, entered the room, each carrying a white box. Every box was tied with a white bow except for mine, which was tied with a black one. I couldn’t help but smile.

“Untie them,” Tauren encouraged with a broad smile.

Every girl tugged at her ribbon and removed the lid to her box, revealing a silver bracelet within each one. Mine was engraved with the number thirteen. “Our sectors,” the redhead from Sector One flirted. “How clever.”

While the women clamped the bracelets onto their tiny wrists, I placed mine back in the box and waited until they were finished stroking Tauren’s ego. He stood and gave a bow. “I’d like to thank you all for accepting my invitation and formally welcome you to my home. For one of you, this will be your future home.”

The girls sucked in a collective gasp as if they didn’t already know this. I couldn’t help but roll my eyes. When I looked back at Tauren, he was smiling at me.

“I look forward to spending time with each of you, getting to know you and seeing if there is a spark between us. For this evening, I’m sure you’re tired. It’s been a very long and exciting day. I’ll send a staff member around tomorrow morning with a detailed schedule, so that you can plan for time with me and for your free time, of course. The palace has much to offer, and I hope you’ll enjoy your stay, no matter how brief or long it may be.” He gave a wave. “Good evening, ladies.”

The girls filed out and met their escorts in the hallway, whispering about how handsome the Prince was and how he’d given them a special smile or pointed them out during introductions, most of which was complete garbage. He hadn’t done anything overtly special for any of them, as far as I could tell.

Mira, who had obediently stayed in the hall, met my eyes. “You were more beautiful than any of them. I bet Prince Tauren is lamenting our customs right about now.”

Brecan huffed.

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