Page 98

It’s not surprising. Nina has always been the most opposed to it. I assumed she’d have chosen someone by now to get ahead of our parents. Unless she wanted to marry someone wholly inappropriate, they’d allow it. The only thing they can’t allow is for her to never marry. She needs to pass her magic on, lest it die with her.

“Well, I can’t make any promises, but I’ll try.”

“Thank you.” Asking for and accepting assistance is unlike her. She shifts her legs, crossing and uncrossing her ankles.

“Have they started any negotiations that you’re aware of?”

“I don’t know.” Her shrug is not convincing in the slightest.

“Yes, you do.”

She bites her lip and stands. “I shouldn’t be bothering you. It is a big day, and I really do wish the best for you.”

“Nina, tell me.”

“No, I—”

“You’re my sister. You take priority.”

She shakes her head. “Not today.”

“Always. You can tell me anything.”

Her chin drops as her eyebrows arch toward her hairline. “Sisters certainly don’t tell each other everything.”

Heat rushes up my neck. “I’m certain I don’t know what you mean, but I didn’t say everything. I said we could tell each other anything. Furthermore, you seem like you need help, which is completely different than whatever you might think you know about me.”

“It’s actually quite related.”

“What is related?” I ask.

“Your affair with Tomas.”

I take a sip of tea and pull a breeze to cool my face. “Marcus told you then?” I knew he would.

“No. Tomas did.”

“Tomas? What would possess him to—”

“So that I wouldn’t be offended by his discontentment with our betrothal.”

All the heat that had been building in my frustration is sucked out of me. Everything goes cold and still. “Your… betrothal?” My voice shakes. “The two of you?”

She nods.

I’d think my heart turned leaden, but it wouldn’t ache like this if that was the case. “When was that decided?”

“That evening when the Merricks and the Coyles dined with us. You were out for a drunken stroll with Jamys when they called us in to tell us. They were stewing over Lambridge, and since Tomas is so well liked there, it seemed like a good way to make them feel more connected to our family, but it hasn’t been decided. At the time, I was in the running to be heir to the throne, and if I’d won—”

“They wouldn’t have arranged your marriage.”

“Precisely.”

Connections fall into place in my mind. “Was that the cause of the fire glowing outside that night?” Her sardonic smile confirms it. “And that’s why Tomas wanted you to win.”

“Yes. It seemed the only way to avoid our most unhappy union.”

Air rushes through me too quickly. “And now you think I can simply tell Mother and Father you shouldn’t marry him?”