Page 67 of Turret

“Your family has been worried for you,” Quinn said soothingly. “You’ve been gone for three years and they have yet to know the woman you’ve become, but they will if you allow them to. You must give them the chance.”

But would it truly make a difference? I clutched his shirt and burrowed myself closer, relishing his warmth and the soothing patter of his heart beating against my cheek. No matter where I was or what I experienced, Quinn’s presence was constant. With him I was home.

Within his arms I felt my strength return. The old Gemma had never been held in this tender way, for that was before she believed in a future of love, found her passion, and dreamed of a life beyond her illness. Quinn’s embrace helped me realize how far I’d come. And just because my well-meaning siblings had yet to see my growth didn’t change the fact that Ihadprogressed. It wasn’t too late to show them the new Gemma.

“I’m not sickly anymore.” Despite being muffled against his shirt, my voice was firm.

“I know you’re not,” Quinn said gently.

I loosened my hold and tipped my head back to rest my chin against his chest. Warmth filled me at the tender way he looked at me, almost as if hecouldsee me…and despite not having his sight, this conversation only confirmed how well he truly could.

“Their attention, no matter how well meaning, was exhausting,” I said. “Enduring it was even more difficult after this long and emotional day, but I’m not so tired I want to be dismissed to my room. I want to spend time with my family. I’ve missed them.”

Quinn’s touch went to my cheek. “So what are you going to do about it?”

At his question, light penetrated the frustration clouding my mind, illuminating the darkness so I could clearly see the path I was meant to take. I straightened in determination. “I’m going to stand up for myself.”

He smiled. “I believe in you, Gemma.”

His faith in me only added to the strength that had always been inside me, still there despite the moments I couldn’t see it. I lifted his hand to rest his fingertips against my lips so he could feel my returning smile. His expression softened as he attentively traced the shape of my lifted lips.

When his hand dropped, I wove my fingers through his and started for the door, only to pause. “I do have one condition.”

“And what condition is that?” His voice was deeper in the dark, making me feel more rebellious for being alone with him while also increasing my desire to kiss him; if not for his insisted distance and my own worries about getting caught alone with him, I might have.

“I want you to join me at the table. No more standing along the wall away from me. You’re part of my life, Quinn. I want you with me.”

His smile grew more tender. “This is a testament that you can stand up for yourself. Very well, if you want me, I’m yours, Gemma.”

This beautiful thought further renewed my strength to return to the dining room, where dessert had just begun. Everyone sat at the table except for Briar, who was pacing. At my entrance, he spun to face me and strode over, relief softening his agitation.

“There you are. I just received word from the maid I sent to your bedroom with your dessert that you weren’t there. Where have you been?” His expression darkened as his gaze flickered towards Quinn at my side.

“I needed a moment to compose myself, but I’m well enough to rejoin you.” I tried to sidestep him in order to return to my seat, but he rested his hands on my shoulders, preventing me from moving.

“Are you certain? You still don’t look well. I’m worried about you.”

I took a steadying breath and firmly met his gaze. “For the first time years, I’m truly well, Briar.” He still didn’t appear convinced. I lifted my chin higher. “I’m tired of being sent upstairs, of missing experiences and living my life apart from everyone. I’ve missed my family. I know myself and my capabilities, so trust me when I assure you I’m well.”

He studied my expression before relenting with a sigh. “Forgive me for pushing my desires on you. If you feel up for it, I’d love nothing more than to have you join us for dessert.” He rested a gentle hand on my arm before returning to his place at the head of the table.

After a bit of chaos as the footman retrieved an extra place setting for Quinn and I’d staved off my brother’s protests about a guard joining us, Quinn and I settled in our seats and dessert was served. Even though it was my favorite strawberry tart, I was too giddy to fully enjoy it. I leaned towards Quinn’s ear. “I stood up for myself.”

He grinned. “I knew you could.”

Warmth seeped over me, and with a much lighter heart I turned to my dessert. Its tart sweetness danced on my tongue, but it was nowhere near as wonderful as the lightness filling my heart.

Perhaps living the life I chose was within reach after all, one I could create one step at a time, and with each one, I’d have no need to remain bound by towers any longer.

Chapter 26

The gardens were truly a labyrinth, filled with countless ever-changing paths that twisted through sections of beauty and wonder I’d previously only seen from my bedroom window. I’d spent hours cooped up in my room imagining what it’d be like to explore these gardens, but my aerial view had done little to prepare me for how vast and confusing they’d be. I marveled to think that after so many years I was finally well enough to explore them. I walked slowly in order to fully appreciate the gardens, even as I searched for one in particular.

Despite having spent nearly my entire life at the Malvagarian palace, I knew little about the magical gardens that surrounded my home. During his visits throughout my childhood, Briar had told me stories of the gardens and the wonders they contained, things which seemed to be straight from a storybook.

His words had created many visions for my imagination to explore—gardens of illusion, topiary plants that moved as if they were alive, plants and gardens that transformed on a whim, and secrets even he had never discovered. But there was one in particular that hadn’t excited me at the time, but which I now wanted nothing more than to visit: the medicinal garden.

I hadn’t previously given it much thought, only remembering it whenever the healer used some of its magical plants to aid my treatments. But with my growing interest in herbs, I now yearned to explore this garden.

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