Page 87 of When Wishes Bleed

He nodded emphatically. “She sure is brave.”

I crouched down to hug him again, my heart much lighter this time.

Doctor Kingston told the children it was time to continue our tour, and the invitees filed out of the room. Rose lingered by the door for Tauren, who met her with a kind smile.

I’d be lying if I said I didn’t mind.

21

How was Sector Three?” Mira asked when I knocked on her door after we returned to the palace.

“It was one of the best, most humbling experiences of my life.” Thanks to Fate.

He nearly purred within me.

The heat of Tauren’s forgiveness was still branded on my lips.

“Do tell,” Brecan said sarcastically, exiting his room and joining us as we strode across the hall to mine.

“The children were wonderful,” I answered sharply.

“And has Tauren magically forgiven you?” he asked. “I noticed he left in Rose and Leah’s carriage, but rode back with you.”

“And Tessa and Estelle,” I added.

Mira’s eyes bounced back and forth between us as we argued. Attempting to quell the tension, she blurted, “The King and Queen are fine. We checked their meals, kept an eye on them as best we could, and when they retired to their rooms, came back here. They have several guards watching over them now.”

“What’s on the schedule for tonight?” I asked.

“Your evening is free,” Brecan chirped. “The Prince will plan a special evening with each of you this week, beginning with Rose.”

The thought of Rose and Tauren enjoying a romantic dinner made me burn with envy. But I would feel the same if he were dining with Estelle or even Tessa, who wasn’t sure she wanted to give up her life for a royal one – even if it meant being with Tauren. Leah, I knew, was only granted the chance to stay so she could spend more time with Knox.

Footsteps came from down the hallway. Brecan, Mira, and I turned to find Knox waltzing down the hall. Speak of the devil, and he shall appear. The same must apply to thoughts.

“Sable? Could I have a moment of your time?”

“Of course,” I replied, straightening my back.

Knox nodded to Brecan and Mira. “Privately, if you don’t mind.”

I certainly wasn’t inviting him into my room unchaperoned. If he mentioned anything to Leah, she would blab to Rose, and Rose would make sure to mention it on camera.

I followed Knox up another flight of steps, down a hall, and up a spiral staircase that emptied into a solarium. If it weren’t so overcast, the sun would spill through the glass panes and dapple the potted plants, all of which were wilted, the color leached almost entirely from their leaves and petals.

Knox leaned his hip against the cushioned arm of a plush blue chair. “My brother told me what you did today.”

I quirked a brow.

“He said you couldn’t heal just anyone, but I couldn’t help but wonder if you could make a plea on our behalf.”

“A plea for what?”

“Not what, whom. Our father, Sable. No one but he, my mother, Tauren and I know, but he is ill.”

The tone of his words and the soft pain they held told me it was grave. “That’s why he wants Tauren to marry so quickly,” I surmised. “It’s why he didn’t protest when Tauren sent most of the women home early.”

Knox nodded. “He hopes to live long enough to watch him marry.”

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