I meet his eyes for only a moment and find his dark irises trained on me. “You told me last night that Father Viktor doesn’t like me.”
“I never said he didn’t like you. I said he wants me to eliminate you from the competition. He likes you well enough. Just…not as the wife of a brother.”
“Same thing,” I say, ignoring the way his words set my teeth on edge. I already know who the priest’s favorite is. Even though I’ve come to regret what I did to Vanessa, I hate the thought of her and Dorian together. I hate the thought of him andanyonetogether.
Anyone but me, I think, but quickly banish the sentiment.
I reaffirm my resolve. I can’t risk leaving until I know for sure Dorian will choose a bride who can secure his citizenship. Lowering my voice as quiet as I can, I say, “You must hear me out. Greta’s ears are prosthetics.”
He laughs, the sound far too loud for the confidential nature of our conversation. “Are you jealous?”
I want to deny it, but the wordnowon’t form on my lips. “Why would I be jealous?”
“Why else would you try to get her kicked out of the competition?
“I’m being serious,” I whisper through my teeth as we continue to turn about the room to Tabitha’s slow song. “She might be part fae, but I’m not certain she has fae blood at all. Don’t get me wrong, I like her. Far more than Vanessa. But if you marry her, and she’s lying, your citizenship will be invalid—”
“I know she’s lying. We all do.”
I’m taken aback by that. “Then why is she still here?”
He releases an agitated sigh. “She’s popular with the people. Apparently, she’s been in several bridal pageants before this and is always well-liked. Father Viktor insisted we keep her as long as we can to keep our audience happy.”
I furrow my brow. I suppose that’s good. It means he’s safe. He knows Greta can’t secure his citizenship and will choose a proper bride. Either Briony or Vanessa will do, as much as the thought sends waves of anger writhing through me. “Well, then,” I say, “I suppose this is our last dance.”
He quirks a brow that shows he doesn’t agree. “Is it?”
I find my body drawn closer to his, eager to erase the formal distance we hold. Instead, I pull as far from him as I can without disrupting our dance completely. “Yes, Dorian. You and I both know it’s true. You told me what could happen if you refuse to obey the brotherhood. They could end your term of sanctuary, refuse to oversee your wedding, stop helping you and your sisters.”
His expression turns pained at the mention of his sisters.
“You know I’m right.”
He averts his gaze, eyes steely. We step, turn, and sway without another word. It’s a silence that burns. A silence I wish with every beat of my heart would be filled with his voice. The music feels harsh without his low timbre, his laugh.
But this is how it should be. This is how itmustbe. Now the song just needs to end.
“You have no one to be jealous of.” My breath nearly catches at the return of his voice.
“I never said I was jealous.”
“Still, I thought you should know that no one else holds a candle to you.”
My heart races, and I feel his hand slide lower down my back. I doubt he even realizes he’s doing it. I hardly notice when our dance moves start to bring us closer. Nor do I care that we seem to be the only ones dancing while Briony, Greta, and Beatrice watch us from the sitting area. My head starts to feel light, and I know I should step away. Instead, I lift my eyes to his. There’s so much depth in them as they stare down at me. So much wanting. Pain. Desire. “Dorian…”
“I like when you say my name,” he whispers.
“You shouldn’t—”
“Good evening, good evening.” A new voice, loud enough to cut off the music, rings through the room.
With a startle, Dorian and I break away and find Father Viktor standing before the threshold. His lips are smiling but his eyes are hard as they lock on Dorian.
I take an exaggerated step away from him just to widen our proximity.
“It appears tonight’s gathering has been a delight,” Viktor says, turning his gaze to the other contestants, then Dorian’s sisters. “The Blessing Ceremony will commence in one hour, and this one will be special. The four remaining contestants will give a speech to the audience about why they would make the best choice for Brother Dorian. Allow your young guides to escort you back to your rooms so you may prepare.”
At that, Jeremy and a few other initiates enter the room. Without a second glance at me, Dorian rushes to Father Viktor’s side. He says something in a low voice. I only make out a few words, and it appears to be a request to speak in private. Swallowing down my curiosity, I hurry to Jeremy’s side and follow him into the hall. Chatter sounds behind me as the other girls trail behind us, but all I can focus on are my thoughts.
