Page 68 of A Court Bright and Broken

“What are you doing here?” Stellon asked, his tone filled with irritation.

“Apparently stopping you just in time,” Pharis said. “These things can get out of hand very quickly—and I know you don’t have as much practice as I do starting and stopping.”

“No onehas as much practice as you do,” Stellon growled. “I told you, I don’tneeda chaperone. Go back inside.”

Now Pharis’ stare moved to me. A sexy grin curved his lips.

“You might not be in need of a chaperone, brother, but what about little Wyn? She looks rather… overwhelmed by your attentions.”

His tone became a cruel taunt. “Was that your first kiss, love?”

He laughed again at my answering scowl. Ithadbeen my first kiss, but I certainly wasn’t going to discuss that withhim.

“Leave her alone,” Stellon ordered.

Pharis was unfazed. “I’m not sure Lord Elardis would appreciate you luring hisinnocentdaughter out into the dark garden and ravishing her. Wars have been started for less.”

He actuallywinkedat me, as if to sayyour secret is safe with me.

Pharis knew I wasn’t a noblewoman, but I hadn’t confessed that to Stellon. He still thought I wasLadyWyn of Altum.

I guess I hadn’t seen the point in clarifying misconceptions when my aim had been to end his life. Just thinking of it now made my stomach roil and threaten to eject the enormous dinner I’d consumed.

Thatwas the source of the relief I felt. I’d missed my opportunity.

Pharis had stopped me just in time… and I was glad. I was also sick with worry. I might never get another chance like that one.

What was going to happen now?

Casting a glance back toward the castle, I searched the darkness for the Earthwife. Had she been watching? Did she know I’d failed?

“My intentions toward Lady Wyn are entirely honorable,” Stellon told his brother.

“Honorable,” Pharis echoed then said it again in a much lower tone, making a silly face as if he was emulating a much older and very ridiculous man.

“Honorable. Ah yes, the heroic Crown Prince, always doing the right thing. What, are you planning tomarrythe girl?”

His expression and tone both indicated the idea was ludicrous.

Stellon said nothing, simply raising a single brow at him. For a few moments, a tense silence reigned, and then Pharis exploded into anger.

“You can’t be serious. Youjustmet her.”

“As Itoldyou, I feel as if we’d already known each other. That must have significance,” the Crown Prince said.

“And I toldyouwhat I felt with the matchmaker’s glamour,” Pharis practically shouted. “She’s not only wrong for you, she was literally theleastsuitable woman who came through the door.”

“Then why haveyouattempted to spend every moment with her since the evening began?” Stellon fired back.

Pharis’ aggressive stance softened. He took a deep breath before speaking.

“I didn’t say she wasn’t suitable forme.”

He paused, looking down at the ground then back up at his brother.

“I’m trying to help you. If you’ve ever trusted me on anything, trust me on this… she’s not the one for you. Have you asked her about herself mind to mind?”

“What? No, of course not,” Stellon said. “We’ve only just met.Someof us have the good manners to wait until we know each other better.”

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