“You’re hiding something,” he says. “You literally have the same flowers in your basket. I’m not stupid.”
“It’s…it’s a common flower.”
“Then why is Ava wearing one?”
“Why do you need to know?”
“Because you’re keeping something from me!” Card bursts, voice raised. His sharp blue eyes scrutinize every inch of me. “You’reacting weird and distant and constantly leaving the citadel for days at a time, and you’re supposed to behere.With me. You used to tell me everything, but I don’t even know who you are recently!”
I stare at Card.
“Excuse me?” I dig my fingernails into my palms. “Are you saying you want me to revolve my entire life around you? Is that it?”
“You know what I mean. There’s so much to do for the wedding and—”
“Oh, the wedding!” I reply, louder than I mean to. “Yes, of course, because it’s thebiggest,most—”
Like tripping backward without Will’s magic to save my fall, my throat seizes up. The sarcastic sentence I wanted to say gets stuck and forces out a wheezing cough instead. I splutter and cover my mouth as pain scrapes down my neck.
Card takes a step back.
“What did you want to say just then?” he asks, deadly serious.
I heave in a breath and fight against the agonizing scratch in my throat.
“Nettle says you don’t even want to be my maid of honor,” Card continues, quiet and still. “She says you’re not interested in any of the planning, except when you can work with flowers. That you’re selfish that way. That you’re not even excited for me or for Bash.”
“Nettle’s never liked me,” I whisper hoarsely.
“But you’re not saying she’s lying. Tell me. Tell me she’s wrong. Please.”
He’s surprisingly pleading.
Like he’s clinging to a thread he knows is worn and frayed.
But I can tell. He already believes her.
I wipe my mouth and take a step forward, trying to conjure up some bravery.
“Tell you?I shouldn’t be forced to tell the truth all the time! Why does everyone else get to choose? Why would I tell you if I had concerns about the wedding if you’re so happy about it? Do you want to know what I’ve been thinking?Truly?Do youreallywant to hearthat I was shocked to see you accept the royals as family so easily after the way the queen has treated me? Or how I think they’re not to be trusted,includingBash? That maybe, just maybe, the rebels have cause to fight back, because your new family aren’t bothering to help them in their time of need? You’re planning a lavish wedding while they fight for food. Any of that? Or do you want more?”
Card’s jaw drops open. For once, he’s speechless. No language he knows has any words for him.
I need to leave before I do any more damage. Before I burst into tears.
My lip wobbles.
“I’ve been interrogated enough today. I’m going home,” I say, and spin on my heel.
Card doesn’t stop me.
I wonder if this is how Will felt when he and Bastion fell out, if his most important friend broke his heart like Card is breaking mine. I’m so sick of being treated like I’m only worth something when I’m telling the truth. I have to be an open book or I’m discarded in the waste pile. Well, Nettle can have her victory. She can take my place if she wants. See how she likes being called upon every waking moment of the day.
After that night, I hear nothing from Card. The wedding looms closer as the days tick by. Three weeks until the big day turns into two, and no emergency elecampane flower arrives. No guards request my presence. I don’t bother to reach out either. I snap at my mum. I hide in my greenhouse. I plant that damned crown imperial in my tiny garden and tend to it with ferocity. Nothing calms the torrent of anger in my stomach.
Not until I check the anonymous request box and find a third form from the same person who sent me into the forest, up mountains, and right into Willoh Vane’s path.
Lunarie. Collection. ASAP.
