Page 56 of Briar

My fingers stop what they’re doing. Kai stiffens, his face lifting and dawning horror creasing his features. He pulls his hands free.What?

And Briar’s whole body locks up. “Wait. River—,”

Just to top it off, a furious voice rings out from behind me. “What the hell is going on?”

Maybe the gods don’t like me after all.

Briar

Ijolt upright, the bliss of a moment ago ripped away in sheer, terrifying fear.

No.“I can explain.”

I’m yanking my dress down, my eyes prickling when Jenson pushes River aside. “You lied to me.”

“Jenson.” I try to find the words, but I’m struggling to even take a breath. “I didn’t – it wasn’t—,”

His face is cold. So cold. “I asked you. I asked you if you were a virgin. I told you that it would be a dealbreaker for us. And youlied.”

He leans in, and I shrink back. “Tell me what part of that sentence I have wrong, Briar. Please.”

And his eyes – there’s no burning in them. No softness. Only ice.

“Jenson,” River says quietly. He appears at his shoulder, his eyes shifting to mine. “Take it easy. The only person this affects is her.”

“No.” He’s almost vibrating, his words quiet and all the more vicious for it, and my eyes start to burn. “You trusted us. But we trusted you. I trusted you with my family. I told you what our boundaries were. That was one ofmine, Briar, and you broke it before we even started.”

“I’m sorry.” It comes out as a choked cry. “I just… just—,”

“Justwhat?”

The tears spill over at that awful, cold tone. “I wanted it to be someone I chose. I wanted it to beyou. I didn’t want it to be – someone else.”

I can’t breathe. The sobs choke my throat, close it off, and the tears blur the sight of Jenson’s furious face. “I’m sorry. I’ll go.”

“No.” River’s voice is hard. “You won’t, Briar. Not like this.”

And warm arms slide beneath me, lifting me. I swipe at my eyes as Kai pulls me away, twisting until he sets me on my feet, blocking my view of Jenson.It will be alright. I have you.

I’m sorry.I struggle to remember the sigs, to make my hands move the right way.For the lies.I didn’t mean to.

His hands close over mine gently, stopping me.It is not the end of the world.You made your choice.

His warm blue eyes have my own leaking again. He brushes his knuckle against my cheek before he turns, his hands flying with movement.

They’re arguing. Because of me.

I really messed up.

The Jenson who wrapped his arms around me, who teased me about tattoos and told me my hair was beautiful – there’s no sign of him when I take a breath and step out from beside Kai. “Please don’t argue. I’m going to leave now.”

My breath shudders in my chest, jagged and painful, and I shake my head at River when he opens his mouth. “I have to get home.”

I’m already later than I told my father I would be. I might even have missed the fitting.

I glance up at Kai. “Will you—,”

He’s already nodding.Go and get your things. I need to speak to J.