Page 69 of A Court Bright and Broken

Now Pharis’ brows raised. “Looked like you were getting to know each other pretty well before I interrupted. I tried it. She wouldn’t answer me.”

“And I don’t blame her,” Stellon said. He looked offended on my behalf.

“Onlyyouwould be so insolent as to barge into someone’s mind the first time you meet them. I’ll thank you not to do that again to my lady.”

“Your lady…” Pharis appeared to consider the words. “Shaded stars, you reallydointend to marry her. You fool.”

My mind, which had apparently frozen at the first mention of marriage, became unstuck and started whirring.

Was this conversation actually happening? Was this just some sort of sibling rivalry thing, or was Stellonserious?

He glared at Pharis, stepping closer and clenching his fists. “You’re the fool if you think I’ll let you continue insulting her.”

Pharis’ stance changed as well, straightening to his full height as he looked slightly down at his older brother.

If the village brawls I’d seen were any indication, there was about to be a fight right here on the palace lawn during a royal ball.

I stepped forward, pulling at Stellon’s arm.

“I’m fine,” I assured him. “I don’t care enough about his opinion to be insulted. And I’m starting to feel rather cool out here in the night air. Would you escort me back inside please?”

For a moment, neither of them moved. Then Stellon’s shoulders rose and fell with a deep exhale, and he turned to face me.

“You’re right, my lady. It’s not worth it. Let’s go in for desserts.”

I nodded rapidly, darting a quick glance over my shoulder at Pharis as we walked away.

He still stood in the same spot, his unearthly blue eyes following us and seeming to promise that thisdiscussionwas far from over.

I couldn’t blame him for being angry of course. He’d been absolutely right. If he hadn’t come along when he had, Stellon might already be dead.

Another wave of nausea rolled over me. I’d come within seconds of taking someone’s life.

Thissomeone, who’d caused feelings in me tonight I’d never experienced in my life—none of them mercenary—and who’d almost come to blows with his own brother over my honor.

Sorcha was wrong. Stellon didn’t deserve such a fate.

I was possessed by the desire to go back in time and undo my mistakes. If that were possible, I’d never have gone to the marketplace that day and met Stellon, never have been invited to this disastrous ball.

I’d never have made the bargain with Sorcha. Things had been bad then, but now they were worse.

The only thing to do now was to slip away as soon as I got the chance and make my way home as quickly as possible.

Maybe my family and I could leave the village, go somewhere the Earthwife couldn’t find us, and start again.

But she had powers I didn’t fully comprehend.Wasthere a place we could go that was out of her reach?

Probably not.

There was an Earthwife in every village, and they probably all knew each other. Plus how would Papa manage to travel if Sorcha withdrew her magical cure? She’d said his pain would be even worse if I failed to carry out my mission.

My head was a swirl of turmoil as we reentered the palace and the ballroom where the dancing had resumed. Desserts had indeed been laid out. In fact, they covered several tables on one side of the grand room.

Tindra and Turi would be in raptures just looking at them. Unfortunately, I had no time to think of sweets at the moment. I had to think of an excuse to get away from the prince.

“Are you all right?” Stellon asked, placing his hand at the small of my back. “Are you still upset over what Pharis said?”

“No. Truly. I don’t even care.” I had much more dire things to worry about. Saving my family, for instance.

---