“And you didn’t think to tell me?” Or, I don’t know, invite me to the bloomin’ wedding?
Theo shrugs. “I’ve been a little busy.”
Heavens… I never thought I’d see the day my big brother settled down. I take both of Cora’s warm hands in mine and return her smile. “It’s so lovely to meet the woman who has finally convinced my brother to marry.”
“It hardly took any convincing at all.” Cora’s blush matches my brother’s as she shoots him a smile full of secrets.
When they look at each other, their love shines in their eyes. What must it be like to marry the person you love and not be blackmailed into a union?
I twist Ever’s ring around my middle finger.
If only I knew.
Theo grins down at me, looking so much like our mother that my chest aches. “I hear congratulations are in order for you as well.”
More like commiserations…
My father’s calloused hand squeezes my shoulder. “My baby girl is finally getting married.”
“And to a prince no less,” Theo adds with a wink.
Father’s eyes start to glisten as he looks between us, his lips curving into a watery smile. “Your mother would be so proud of you both.”
Not if she knew the truth.
* * *
Nia and her parents join us for an impromptu celebration of my impending nuptials. Fortunately, my husband-to-be is detained at the castle and cannot join us. Nia scrutinizes me from where she sits on the sofa, her lips pinched as she dips her teaspoon in and out of her teacup. It’s as if she can see straight through the lies that I’ve been telling everyone since I proposed to the prince.
I try to encourage Theo to tell us the story of how he and Cora met. Unfortunately, my family keeps wanting to turn the questions back on me.
“When do we meet the lucky man?” Father asks.
Never, if I have my way. “At the wedding.” If they see the two of us together beforehand, they’re bound to recognize there’s nothing but animosity between us and try to put a stop to this.
There is no stopping my fate.
Theo takes his wife’s hand, lacing their fingers together and pressing a tender kiss to her knuckles. “When is that?”
“Wednesday.” It’s no coincidence that Ronan chose a day the Unseelie will be in Rosehill to conduct the charade. Even though Ever won’t be at the well, the news will surely reach him by the time the other Unseelie return to their village.
I must take solace in the fact that the bridge is remaining open—for the time being at least. If I play my part well, perhaps the threat to the Unseelie will vanish altogether.
Father’s brow furrows. “So soon?”
I shrug. “That’s what happens when you’re in love.”
A lie has never tasted as bitter.
Nia chokes on her tea. She sets the cup down so hard, it rattles the others. When she shoots to her feet and stomps for the winding staircase, I excuse myself and drift along after her. If she cannot keep her emotions under control, our family is going to grow suspicious.
She comes to a halt in my bedroom. Birdsong drifts through the window, but the joyful song falls flat.
“Nia, please don’t be like this.” Life is difficult enough right now. I need my best friend by my side if I am to make it through.
She whirls on me, her eyes blazing and fist clenched, ready for a fight. “Don’t you dare tell me you love Ronan. We both know that’s a load of bollocks.”
What can I say? She’s right.
