“Sorry,” I say with a sniffle. “I didn’t mean to steal your spotlight.”
She waves a flippant hand. “Don’t worry about that. I’m certainly not. I hardly put any effort into my speech at all, for I was certain I would be the one sent home tonight.”
“Instead, it’s me,” I say dryly and return to my bag. This time I try to fold my things neater so they might fit better. When that still doesn’t help, I consider leaving them all here. If Nadia wants her costumes back, maybe she’ll do me a favor and come get them for me. I shove the bag aside in search of my sable-trimmed coat. When I find it, I shrug it on, pointedly not meeting Briony’s gaze. “I should go.”
“Are you all right?”
I ignore her and focus extra hard on my buttons as I secure them, fighting off a fresh wave of tears welling up in my eyes. It only makes matters worse when Podaxis taps a consoling claw against my ankle.
“Maisie.” Briony’s voice is firm. She closes the distance between us and places a hand over mine—still fumbling with my buttons—and forces my shaking movements to still. She repeats her question. Slower this time. “Are you all right?”
“Why wouldn’t I be?” My chin quivers, but I convince myself she doesn’t notice. “I said what I said for a reason. I’ve known all along that I don’t belong here.”
“I don’t know why you said what you said, and I trust every word was true.”
“Then you know why I’m not the right choice for…for him.”
She snorts a laugh. “That may have been your intention, but the only thing you succeeded at is showing why you are theonlychoice for him.”
I shake my head. “That makes no sense.”
“It makes sense to the rest of us. And anyone with eyes. The two of you share something special. Perhaps you have from the very start.”
“What we have are a lot of arguments.”
She gives me a sly grin. “That’s just an ugly word for passion.”
I open my mouth but I’m too tired to convince her she’s wrong. Taking a step back, I bend down and lift Podaxis, then brush past her to the door. “If you win, be good to Dorian and his sisters, all right?”
Briony follows hard on my heels. “Maisie, are you sure you’re all right?”
My lips remain pressed tight. The truth is, I don’t know if I’m all right. I don’t know if I’ll ever be. Because of my actions, I’ll likely be dead in three days’ time.
But…because of my actions,hewill live.
That’s all the comfort I can keep. Maybe it’s enough. “I’m as all right as I can be.”
She gives me another sorrowful smile and squeezes my arm. I try to smile back but doubt my lips do anything more than press into a deeper line. “Goodbye, Briony Rose.” I open the door to make my escape…
Dorian stands on the other side.
* * *
He doesn’t hesitatebefore barging in, forcing me to take several steps back. His jaw is set, eyes cold. He looks nowhere but at me, not even bothering to acknowledge Briony or Podaxis. His voice comes out like a low growl. “Why did you do it?”
With a grimace, Briony slips out the door and into the hall.
Podaxis squirms in my arms. “I should give you some privacy,” he mutters.
“No—”
Before I can stop him, he leaps to the floor and scurries out after Briony.
I glower as he makes his traitorous retreat, and Dorian slams the door in their absence. “Why did you do it?” he asks again. This time, there’s pleading in his tone.
My lungs constrict as I try to maintain my composure. I lift my chin. “You know why.”
He storms closer until only a foot of space remains between us. I try to widen it but find my back come up against my wardrobe doors. He puts a hand to his chest, expression pained. “I wasn’t ready.”
