Page 58 of When Wishes Bleed

If I hadn’t sensed the arrow, Tauren would be dead.

That was far too close. I had to find the witch, and soon. Before he struck again.

There was one way to ensure that if the witch managed to slip past me and succeeded in harming the Prince, Tauren wouldn’t die.

It would require a dangerous spell, one I was happy to work if left no other choice. And unfortunately, my choices were being whittled away by the moment. This way, I might be able to find the witch if he returned to the palace to make another attempt.

I rummaged through my trunk and pulled out my pendulum, cursing for not having a map of this place. Then I remembered the map of the Kingdom on the targets.

Outside, the sky was gray and solemn. The first sprinkles of a rainstorm splattered the land. Droplets fell onto my arms and splashed the crown of my head as I hurried through the manicured yard.

“Please be there,” I whispered under my breath.

Thankfully, no one had taken the targets down. Tauren’s map was pierced in several places, but mine was pristine, thanks to my non-existent archery skills, as Brecan referred to them. I plucked the map from the bale of hay and quickly folded it to keep it dry.

Before I reached the palace again, the sky began to weep.

The door I’d exited from was locked. I ran to another to find it locked, too. No one was posted at it. I decided to run for the front door. I wound through garden paths and rushed down the sidewalk. When I turned the curve, I ran into someone, both of us falling backward from the impact. I landed hard on my hip.

Rain saturated the young man’s dark hair, and when he looked up at me, I gasped. It was Tauren’s brother. I hadn’t seen him since the Equinox.

“You must be Sable,” he said with an easy smile, chuckling as he winced, clutching his knee. “Tauren’s told me all about you.”

I doubted that, but still. “What did he say?” I asked, standing and offering him a hand.

“That you were the most beautiful thing he’d ever seen in his life. I thought he was being dramatic, but I see that if anything, he understated your beauty.”

Tauren’s brother flashed a confident, roguish smile and clasped my hand. “Why are you outside in the rain?” he asked, water sluicing off his face in rivulets.

“I could ask you the same thing,” I challenged.

He gave a lop-sided grin. “I was headed out to meet someone, but the weather… it’s getting rather nasty. I doubt they would have ventured outside. I think I’ll head back in.”

The two of us jogged to the front of the palace, up the stairs, and to the enormous doors. They were unlocked, thankfully. Two servants scurried away to fetch towels as we stood awkwardly, dripping puddles on the pristine foyer tiles.

“My name is Knox. I’m sure Tauren’s told you all about me as well,” he hinted. I wasn’t sure what to say back, but didn’t have to worry long. Knox enjoyed dominating the conversation. “My brother is stuck with one of the women he’s not fond of at all. He’ll be sour after this hour is over.”

“Why does he bother?” I blurted.

Knox’s brows furrowed. “What do you mean?”

“I mean, at some point, he’ll have to cull the invitees. Why bother spending time with the women he doesn’t really like?”

Knox smiled. “Strictly for the viewing public’s entertainment. Every sector cheers to see their invitee. Plus, they like to see him with each woman. They place bets on who he ends up with, who he sends back to their sector… they pretty much bet on everything, actually.”

When the servants returned with fluffy, warm towels, I wrapped mine around me and thanked them, apologizing for the mess I’d made. Knox thanked them as well, then waltzed into the palace like he owned the place. I suppose in a way he did.

Where has he been during the first two days of filming? I wondered.

As I approached my room, I saw Mira pacing outside, biting her thumbnail while Brecan pounded on the door of my room. “What are you doing?”

Brecan snapped his head toward me and blew out a tense breath. He was upset. His pale hair blew in a breeze that I couldn’t feel or see affecting anything else. I thought Wayra was the only one who had that ability, but maybe I’d just never seen Brecan this upset.

“Thank the goddess,” he breathed, the wind quieting instantly.

“What’s the matter?” I asked.

Mira rushed to me. She looked immaculate in a sharp, black suit with a nude camisole peeking out from under the jacket. Her hair was arrow straight, the blue-gray tones shimmering in the hallway light. “We thought something had happened to you! You didn’t tell us you were going out.” Her eyes darted over me appraisingly. “You look like a drowned rat.”

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