Summer’s body tensed. The hands folded in her lap clenched together tightly. “With Sealord Merimydion?” Had Dilys declared himself her mate, taken those shocking liberties with her in the grotto, all while still squiring her sisters about in case things with her didn’t work out?
She felt Spring’s suddenly sharp gaze upon her.
“No,” Viviana said slowly. “With Sealords Ocea and Calmyria. They promised to teach us how to sail a skiff.”
“Oh.” Summer’s clenched fingers relaxed. “That sounds like fun.”
“I’m sure it will be. Now that I’ve gotten to know them better, I find Sealords Ocea and Calmyria to be quite companionable. Though Ari—I mean, Sealord Calmyria—and Autumn get into terrible mischief together, it’s nice to see her laughing and so carefree. I do feel a little bad about taking up their time when they should be courting potential wives, but they assure us they have time both to court a wife and still entertain friends.” Spring wandered over to the bookcase beside the vanity and leaned against it. She watched Gabriella’s face as she added, “To be honest though, since Sealord Merimydion made it clear he’s no longer interested in pursuing a potential union with Autumn or myself, I think they’re spending time with us so we won’t feel put out over being rejected by our suitor.”
Gabriella hated the little jump of her pulse. A moment ago, she’d gotten instantly jealous and territorial at the thought of Spring and Autumn going sailing with Dilys. And now, her heart was thumping eagerly at the confirmation that he’d terminated his courtship of both Spring and Autumn?
“I’m sorry,” she said. “I know you liked him.”
“I did like him,” Spring agreed. “I still do, and I’m perfectly content to keep liking him as a future brother-in-law.”
“Well, he’s making a mistake if he plans to spend the rest of his time here courting me. I wanted nothing to do with him from the start, and I still don’t.”
“Gabriella.”
Summer glanced up and then swiftly away from Spring’s intent green eyes. “What?”
“I know you and Sealord Merimydion exchanged a lot more than mere talk in the garden today. Don’t bother to deny it.” Spring held up a hand before Summer could speak the lie on the tip of her tongue. “Your lips are swollen and you have a little love bite just there.” She touched her own collarbone.
Blushing furiously, Gabriella clapped a hand over her mouth and yanked the collar of her robe tight around her neck.
“And I have a confession to make. You didn’t bump into him by accident. Autumn and I both knew you’d run away again rather than face him, so we told you he was coming to join us on the terrace, and we sent him to intercept you in the gardens.”
Summer’s jaw dropped. “Youliedto me?” Hypocrisy, thy name is Summer Coruscate. “Youset me up?”
“Yes,” Spring admitted baldly, “we did.”
“Why would you do that?” She was genuinely hurt. Her sisters had always had her back. Always. Summer might lie to them about some things (like about murdering people with her powers and about her true feelings for Dilys Merimydion), but she would never betray any member of her family—especially not Spring or Autumn. Never.
“We think you need to give him a chance.”
“That’s my decision, not yours!” Summer spat. “And, wait! Weren’t you the one not five minutes ago who was getting all fired up at the idea that he’d ‘done something’ to me? If that’s the kind of man you think he is, why would you want me to give him a chance? Why would you manipulate me into running into him?”
“Obviously, I didn’t think he was the sort of man who’d ever force himself on you, and since you just swore to me he didn’t, it’s a moot point.”
Summer clamped her lips shut. She couldn’t argue there, unless she admitted she’d been lying earlier. And honestly, though she’d happily lie about some things, even she couldn’t bring herself to claim he’d taken advantage of her, when she’d been the one to lock her legs around his waist and command him to “Hurry, Dilys! Hurry!” She pulled a swath of hair in front of her face and began brushing furiously to hide her hot blush.
“How is it that you’ve become such a loyal Dilys Merimydion supporter?” she muttered as she brushed. “Playing matchmaker this way isn’t your style. Especially not with me.” She met Spring’s gaze in the mirror. “You know why I don’t want to be with him.”
“Almost losing you like we did changed my perspective.”
“Spring...”
Viviana laid her hands on Summer’s shoulders. “I know what you’re afraid of, and I won’t lie and say your fears are groundless. You have a right to be concerned. We all do. But we all also have the right to find some happiness in this life. I think Dilys Merimydion just might be yours.”
He is thine. He is thine before all others.
Stifling a shudder at the memory of that voice and all the feelings that came with it, Summer put the hairbrush down and stood up. “I’m sorry, Vivi, I know you mean well, but I’m not going to change my mind on this. And now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m really exhausted and I need to lie down.” She swayed a little and reached out to grab the corner of the vanity, as if her legs had gone weak.
Instantly contrite, Spring slid an arm around Summer’s waist. “Let me help you into bed.”
Gabriella felt a twinge of guilt over using Viviana’s love to distract her, but she shrugged it off before it could burrow in. The monster was already pushing her to accept Dilys Merimydion. Her wildly awakened hormones were pushing her to accept him. Autumn was pushing her. She didn’t need Spring to start in on her, too.
She was strong, but even she had her limits.
