“I said no, Nia. It’s them or me. You cannot have both.”
Poor Martin slinks around the back of the carriage with his head bowed.
If only I could do the same.
“Come with me now, orthisis over.” Nolan gestures between us, our four-year relationship reduced to a careless flick of his wrist.
We were here before, not long ago. Only then, I was the one making the demands, and he chose his friend’s corrupt orders over me.
In the end, he saw the error of his ways. But since then, we’ve been having difficulty finding our way back to who we were before.
Every time I think the past is behind us, Nolan insists on sliding back down memory mountain.
It’s them or me. You cannot have both.
“How dare you say that to me. Kerris is my family.” My best friend. The sister I always wanted but never had.
“Family? She’s the reason my friend is dead.”
His “friend” was a lying, manipulative, no-good bastard who couldn’t properly wield a sword. I’m glad he’s gone—not that I say so aloud.
“I can’t be around all of this and keep pretending everything is all sunshine and fucking roses.” He waves both hands toward the castle. “If you weren’t so blind to their lies, you’d see it’s not.”
If this were solely a matter of choosing love over familial ties, perhaps I could be swayed. But Nolan is asking me to choose what is wrong over what is right.
That is something I’ll never do again.
“Goodbye, Nolan.”
Perhaps once he sobers up, he will see reason.
With watery eyes, he sinks into the carriage and slams the door closed.
This isn’t our first argument, and I daresay it won’t be our last.
Hopefully, we can figure things out before I turn twenty-five.
2
“True love cannot be stolen.”
— A Seelie Guide to Happiness
The smile I somehow manage to find feels like a victory in and of itself as I make my way back up the stretch of carpet to the party. The string quartet beside the catering tent strikes up a lively tune the moment the King and Queen of Willowhaven make their grand entrance amidst shouts of excitement.
Fae clamber to shake their hands, offering all manner of good tidings and blessings to our newly crowned monarchs. They’re probably not all genuine, but at least none of them are spitting hatred like Nolan.
It’s them or me.
Rage simmers under my skin, bubbling in my blood.
I push Nolan to the back of my mind, focusing on the present and letting the beautiful music and joyful atmosphere pour over me like cool, clear water from a mountain stream.
Kerris looks resplendent in a lilac gown the same shade as her curtain of wavy hair, which is threaded with flowers. A true Seelie queen in her gold diadem that resembles the branches of a willow tree.
My cousin looks so blissfully happy. Heaven knows she deserves it. The newlyweds have had their share of difficult days, yet they still managed to cling to their love. Today is simply a difficult day for Nolan and me. Happiness is right around the bend.
I snag a champagne flute from one of the many roving servants and sink into the crowd, waiting my turn to steal Kerris for myself—and avoid my mother. Cordelia seems content enough, holding a court of her own with Mrs. Faber and Mrs. Tilton. They’re probably trying to one-up each other with wedding plans.
