Page 205 of The Wishing Game

"It's just a crush, Wyn. You'll get over it when you meet other males—more suitable ones."

"No." She shakes her head. "It's notjusta crush."

"Wyn." Thea sighs. "He hasn't taken a mate in all this time. What does that tell you?"

"That he's been waiting for the right female to come along." Wyn bats her lashes. "As in,me," she says as she does a little twirl. "He just needs to come to my ball and see me all dolled up, and I'm sure he'll propose," she adds dreamily.

"I'm sure there's nothing wrong with her crush," I interject, unable to keep silent as I witness Wyn's enthusiasm.

Thea shoots me a warning look.

"There's plenty wrong with her crush. I don't want her to get her hopes up and get heartbroken."

"I won't!" Wyn protests. "He's the right male for me. Iknowit."

"He's not right for you, Wyn." Thea sighs.

Wyn takes a step back, her shoulders slumping.

"What you mean to say is thatIam not right for him, no?" she asks in a low, hurt voice.

"That's not..."

"You don't think I'm worthy enough to be considered by him, isn't that right? After all, I'm only the thirdborn and I haven't exhibited any special abilities while he's the firstborn of the House of Pyros."

"I didn't say that."

"You didn't have to. I know very well what my place in society is. I know that he's far above me in, well, everything. But that doesn't mean anything. Helikesme. I know he does. He always brings me gifts when he comes to visit. Just a few weeks ago he came and brought me this," she says as she rolls up her sleeve to reveal a pretty diamond bracelet with two Ws intertwined.

Thea's eyes widen as she grabs her hand, closely studying the bracelet.

"You saw him? When?"

Wyn blinks.

"When you and Cer were gone," she answers weakly.

"Tell me you were not alone with him, Wyn. Tell me," she demands sharply, her fingers tightening around the girl's wrist.

"Thea... What..."

"Were you alone with him, Wyn?"

"Y-yes, but I've been alone with him before..." she stammers, a look of confusion crossing her face.

"When you were a child!" Thea exclaims. "This is different," she murmurs, breathing harshly. "Did he touch you? Did he do anything untoward?"

"Thea, you're hurting me," Wyn whimpers.

"Answer me, Arwyn. Did he touch you?"

"He k-kissed me."

Thea's features darken, her nostrils flaring.

God, I've never seen her like this before.

"On my forehead," Wyn hurries to add.

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