‘WHAT?’ Mei cried. ‘That’s in an hour! We need to get you ready!’
They rushed Bisma up to her room, where Luna pulled out dresses and ribbons as Mei did Bisma’s hair. As Bisma got ready, she felt a little guilty; should she be going at all? When her sisters were sick?
But taking a break would help her think better, and an hour or two wouldn’t be the end of the world. The freeze potion was holding up, even if the poison was slowly spreading. Bisma watched it every day, tracking its movement.
When she was ready, Mei and Luna walked her down the stairs of the treehouse—giggling profusely—from where she kissed them goodbye before walking to the end of the Forest on her own. She passed through the thinning fog to find Xander waiting for her.
He looked unbearably handsome, dressed smartly in a charcoal gray suit that complemented every line of his body. When he saw her approaching, he broke into a dazzling smile, which he tried to bite back but couldn’t—he was giddy, and the sight made her giddy as well.
‘Well met, Bis,’ Xander said, handing her a bouquet of lilacs that matched the light purple embroidery on her plum-purple dress.
‘Hi,’ she said, pressing the flowers to her nose.
He looked over her shoulders. ‘Your sisters aren’t with you? I was hoping to meet them properly.’
‘Oh … um, no,’ she replied.
‘I’m still not allowed to meet them?’
‘You have met some of them,’ she said. ‘You get to meet them every day!’
He gave her a dark look. ‘Them being poisoned and asleep in my greenhouse does not count, Bisma.’
She knew it didn’t, but she was still hesitant to introduce him to her sisters.
‘I’ll wear you down someday,’ he said, bouncing back with a smile. ‘Now, shall we go?’
He offered her his arm, which she took, the fabric of his jacket soft under her hand. Warmth radiated from him, and she found herself drawing closer. With her other hand, she held the lilacs, the sweet smell drifting to her nose every now and then.
They walked to town, and she tried to mask her anxiety and excitement by looking at anything other than him: the trees, which were nearly bare of leaves now; the buildings, which were mostly closed for the night; the well, the waters of which were strangely murky.
‘Right this way,’ Xander said, as they arrived at their destination. He held the door open for her.
She should have figured he would bring her here. It was the only tavern in town and was frequented by most villagers, which was why when they entered, it was entirely packed.
The sight of so many villagers made her immediately don her harshest scowl and nastiest glare. Her heart beat fast, and she tensed, on guard.
When Xander entered behind her, Bisma felt everyone turn to look, a gasp going through the crowd. More than a few people looked at the bouquet of flowers in her hands, then turned to whisper to one another. She bit the inside of her cheek.
She was so used to being alone with Xander in the greenhouse that she didn’t realize how this would feel, for everyone to seeherwith the town’s precious golden boy. Embarrassed for some reason, she felt like she did not belong, that she had somehow tricked Xander into bringing her here.
Then a worse thought came: did they all think it was like how it was with Gregory? That she was being … conquered?
She swore she heard someone snickering.
Bisma turned back to look at Xander, who seemed to be enjoying the attention. He put a hand on her back, a self-satisfied smile on his face.
She bristled at the sight. Without another word, she pushed past him and stormed out.
‘Bis, what’s wrong?’ he cried, following her. He sounded confused, but really, he could not be so thick.
She threw the flowers on the ground.
‘Where are you going?’ He jogged up to catch her, grabbing her arm. ‘Bisma.’
‘Why did you bring me here?’ Her voice broke.
‘Um, it’s the only decent place to eat,’ he said. ‘I thought you’d be more comfortable there than at a formal dinner with my parents.’
