Page 57 of Potions & Prejudice
“To kiss me?” I asked.
She shot me a withering glare. “To show them we weren’t fighting. I don’t have any ulterior motives, Draven,” she said. “I just don’t want to fight withanyone, not when we’re here for an indefinite amount of time before our cart is fixed. My sisters and Mama need some stability, and I want to give that to them. I don’t want to ruin things with our arguing, make us outcasts before we have a chance to fit in.”
It was as if a new light shone upon Elspeth in that moment. I’d thought her rude, inappropriate, and obnoxious. But the desperation in her voice made me realize how much she cared for her family, the weight sitting on her shoulders. A weight I knew all too well. She was just trying her best to protect them, to care for them, in the only way she knew how. It might have been misguided at times, but she was so utterly fierce and brave. I might have finally understood her.
And that terrified me.
“Right.” I swallowed, disappointment bubbling up. For some reason, I’d wanted a different answer. I’d wanted her to tell me that she wanted to kiss me again, that she was as desperate as I was to have my lips on her.
“Well, you don’t have to worry,” I said. “I won’t fight with you anymore.”
She gave me a disbelieving look.
I rubbed my jaw. “You do know it takes two to argue.”
“Are you saying it’s my fault?” she asked.
This woman. She was exhausting. “I’m saying it takes two. As in it’s both our faults.”
Some of the rage simmering in her eyes dulled. My gaze lingered on her neck, her pale skin. Why did she have to wear that silky dress with those thin straps? The dresses she wore normally covered her shoulders and arms, but tonight, I could see every inch of her delicate skin in that dress.
“Your dress is lovely,” I offered.
She blinked. “What?”
I gestured to the floor-length dress, the bodice cut low enough that I could see the slight swell of her breasts. “It’s a nice dress.”
Her gaze shifted back and forth. “Thank you.” She paused. “I don’t want you to get the wrong idea. I know I kissed you. It was impulsive and stupid, and it won’t happen again.”
“I don’t expect it to,” I said quickly.
“Good,” she said.
“Good.”
“Well, I’m leaving.” She backed toward the door as if she were afraid that if she turned, I’d pounce on her. “Not leaving the ball.” She bumped into the door, cheeks turning pink. “Just leaving this room.”
“Understood,” I said.
“Good night.” She bowed her head, then opened the door and slipped out.
I touched my lips, the memory of our kiss burning on them. Something had changed between us tonight, and I had a feeling there’d be no going back.
Twenty-Five
ELSPETH
Sunlight spilled into the room, and I blinked my eyes open. I was still in my dress from the night before, wrinkled and creased. Drool dripped from the corner of my mouth onto my arm, but I swiped it away and sat up on my bedroll, rubbing my eyes.
Auggie snored loudly from her bedroll, while Prue was already awake, dressed in her blue cotton dress, knees drawn up to her chest, book splayed open.
I squinted at her, noticing her puffy, red-rimmed eyes. We’d left late last night after dancing, eating, and drinking. Morty had offered to give us a ride home, and I’d been so tired I’d slept most of the way. But now, in the morning light, I could tell something was wrong with my youngest sister.
“Prue? Is everything okay?”
She sniffled, shifting and crossing her legs underneath her. “Fine.”
I scooted closer to her. “Did something happen last night? I thought everyone had a good time.”
