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“I don’t know.” Rune closed the door and turned to her friend. “But he showed up tonight and gave me this.” She tugged the silk rose from her hair, wincing as several strands came with it, and held it out for Verity to see. “Suddenly, none of the names on your list were good enough. I had to improvise.”

Verity’s mouth thinned to a hard line. She took the flower as if it were a living rose, full of thorns. “Something’s amiss here,” she said. “Gideon Sharpe doesn’t court girls like Rune Winters.”

Ouch.

For some reason, that stung.

“Gee, thanks, Verity.”

Verity glanced up. “Oh, Rune. I didn’t mean it like that.”

Rune brushed off the comment. “Maybe he needs a rich wife. Maybe he gambles too much and is neck-deep in debt.”

“Or maybe he’s playing you,” said Verity.

Rune looked away, thinking of the enchanted wine, of the way his tracing hands knew exactly how to disarm her. He was experienced in a way Rune wasn’t.Thathad been clear.

Verity’s right. I’m in way over my head.

Gideon had turned the tables on her tonight. First, with the wine. Then, on the love seat. And finally, by refusing to give up Blood Guard secrets despite passionate distraction. None of her tricks had worked on him. Courting him, therefore, would mean enduring a high level of danger, but for how much reward?

Sighing, Rune walked over to the bed and fell backward, letting the duvet catch her in its downy softness. Closing her tired eyes, she said, “It seemed like the perfect opportunity.”

“It’s too much of a risk.” Verity sat down on the bed and took Rune’s hand, gripping it tight. Quietly, she said, “I don’t want to lose you, too.”

Rune heard what her friend didn’t say:I lost my sisters. You’re all I have left.

It was true for them both. Rune and Verity had lost the people who mattered most and only had each other now. And Alex.

The bed’s promise of blissful tranquility called to Rune. She’d ridden hard through terrible weather to get to Seraphine. Every bone in her body ached for rest. The longer she lay here, the more likely it was to drag her under.

“Promise me you’ll reject him and choose someone safer,” said Verity.

Rune knew she should heed her friend’s wise advice. It only made sense to pursue someone easier and less dangerous than Gideon Shape. But if Gideon already suspected her, wasn’t courting him the best way to put those suspicions to rest?

“Reject who?” interrupted a new voice.

Rune’s eyes flew open. She raised herself to her elbows, groaning a little at the fight against gravity, and saw Alex enter the room.

“Your brother.” Verity’s hand was still clenched around the rose’s wire stem. She held it out to him. “Maybe you can talk some sense into Rune.”

Alex took the rose.

Sighing, Verity pushed herself from the bed. “I’ll see you both back at the party.”

If I can make it that far,thought Rune, falling into the covers once more.

Alex stared after Verity. “What’s with her?”

Rune made an inarticulate noise, too tired to explain.

Claiming the spot Verity had vacated, Alex lay down beside her. Even with several inches between them, Rune felt the warmth of his body. Together, they lay on their backs, staring at the stucco ceiling.

“Where’s Gideon?” Alex asked, voice tightening around his brother’s name. He held up the silk flower, contemplating it.

Rune winced, remembering their thinly veiled argument on the stairs earlier.

She and Verity hadn’t told him about the list of suitors, knowing he wouldn’t approve.Better to tell him once it’s over and done,Verity said when she first made the list. Remembering Alex’s interference tonight, Rune found herself inclined to agree.