Page 33 of When Wishes Bleed

“Did you see their dresses?” she asked, giving me an I-told-you-so look. “They were practically spilling out of them. You looked like a queen compared to those girls.”

“I am no queen, and I’m not a slab of meat for sale. I’d prefer to be modest, even if it’s unfashionable.”

She nodded. “Then we make your fashion the talk of the Kingdom. We make your style exquisite. Everyone will be dressing like you by spring,” she gushed.

I didn’t think I would ever become a fashion icon, but I let her dream it was possible. I waved Brecan in. “I have to meet with some of the staff this evening. You’re welcome to go back to your rooms and do… whatever it is you do. I can handle the readings by myself.”

Mira let out a thankful breath. “I’m exhausted.”

“I’m going with you,” Brecan asserted.

“No, you aren’t. Not after the way you acted earlier.”

He snorted. “I was just informing the Prince of your predicament.”

“All evening you’ve acted like a child.”

Brecan grinned cruelly. “Is it childish to stand up for you? For our beliefs? Or have you forgotten them because the pretty prince extended a fake invitation so he could use you?”

My hand twitched at my side. For the first time in my life, I wanted to smack his face. To scream for him to take back his vile words. But how could I, when he was right?

Mira looked between me and Brecan and then let out a fake yawn. “I’m so sleepy. I’m turning in early.” She grabbed my arm and leaned in to whisper, “If you need me, just knock. I’m not really going to sleep. I have work to do.”

I nodded and glanced back at Brecan, who had crossed his arms. He looked so strange in black when I was used to seeing him in airy blue. Not only had his garments darkened, but so had his demeanor. Ever since I told him I wouldn’t hand-fast to him, he’d been combative. And now he was jealous of Tauren when he had absolutely no reason to be. Tauren was using me, like Brecan said. Or rather, he was using my abilities. I couldn’t blame him. If I were in his position, and I didn’t want to die a painful, tragic death at a young age, I’d do everything in my power to stop it.

Mira walked away from us, heading in the direction of the staircase that led to our rooms.

“I am escorting you,” Brecan insisted. “The Circle gave me very specific instructions, and I will follow them to the letter.”

“Fine,” I acquiesced.

His head ticked back. “I expected you to put up more of a fight.”

“I don’t want to fight with you, Brecan,” I answered wearily. “I just want to figure out who wants the Prince dead and go home. I have so much work to do on the House, and I’ll never get finished if I don’t get started.”

The tension in his muscles melted away after hearing my words.

“How do you know you can find this person?” he asked. “They obviously don’t want to be found.”

“It’s not up to them. It’s up to Fate.”

He pinched his lips together. “What if Fate wants Tauren dead?”

I swallowed, refusing to let the visions of him dying surface… “He told me to come here. Why would he send me if he wanted the Prince to die? If he wanted Tauren dead, he would have given me the order while he was in Thirteen on the Equinox.”

“Maybe he wants you to take the fall for it. Maybe you’ve lost his favor,” he shrugged.

A deep breath flew from my lungs, deflating me. “Why are you being so cruel?”

He closed his eyes. “I’m not trying to be. I’m just trying to get you to see what’s right in front of you.”

Brecan was the only thing in front of me.

Just then, the door swung open and Tauren strode in, staring between me and Brecan. “Did I interrupt?”

I said no at the same time Brecan answered yes.

Rolling my eyes, I walked to Tauren. “I assume the staff is ready?”

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