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“I made a vow to someone with authority far greater than mine.” Dr. Stephens adjusted his glasses. “It was a decision to assure you a greater quality of life. The consequences of your relocation to this realm were unexpected.”

“Unexpected?” Dr. Reed gasped. “Do you even realize what she’s been through? Isn’t it in the nature of your men to protect? She is a direct member of your family line! A main reason we didn’t come to the fae was because we did not want to cause a war. How, then, can you be so indifferent?”

I noticed a flicker—concern, maybe even anger—in his eyes, but it vanished so quickly I could’ve imagined it. Still, there was something reassuring about how unaffected he seemed. It was a welcome change.

“Do not presume to understand my thoughts on the matter. You handle your affairs, and I’ll handle mine,” Dr. Stephens replied, calm and composed. “And trust that I have Bianca’s best interests in mind. ”

Dr. Reed was quiet momentarily as she watched him, and finally, she sighed. “Fine. But I’m watching you both.”

They looked at me, and I realized they were also waiting for my input.

“I—I get it.” I squeaked and looked at my blanket-covered knees. They’d moved me from their fancy fae mansion because of some stupid prophecy. It wasn’t their fault everything went wrong. But thinking about Whisperwind made my mind drift to someone else I really didn’t want to think about—Declan.

It made no sense that my throat got tight and my stomach clenched. I didn’t understand why I was so afraid, but I didn’t want to think about him now.

“See, she understands,” Dr. Stephens said, his voice barely reaching me.

Dr. Reed glared at him. “You, shut up,” she snapped, her words clear in her anger.

“Let’s focus on what’s important here,” Detective Kohler interjected. I caught a glimpse of his face—his expression was neutral, but there was a hardness in his eyes that I couldn’t quite place. “And stop being such a worrywart.”

Dr. Reed turned back to me, her expression softening. “Bianca—” she began, her voice gentler.

“I’m okay!” I squeaked, waving my hands. Was she worried? Was that why her face was flushed and her movements frazzled? My jaw tightened, and there was pressure against my chest as I spoke the next. “I don’t even care anymore! It—it doesn’t bother me at all.”

Detective Kohler’s posture stiffened slightly, and he exchanged a quick, meaningful glance with Dr. Stephens that I couldn’t interpret.

“Gloria told me that you won’t let her interview you,” Detective Kohler told me, and Dr. Stephens frowned. “Is that true? ”

“I had no idea she was asked!” Dr. Reed stepped between us. “Bianca will not be giving any interviews on this case. I will not clear her for it.”

I turned my attention away as they began to argue, and my focus drifted to my feet. We were moving into uncomfortable territory.

“Um.” My thoughts scrambled as I struggled to latch onto another topic. “Dr. Reed?” The sounds of their argument faded. A soft hand touched my shoulder, and I looked up at her.

“What’s your real name?” I assumed it was the same as Julian, but I couldn’t be sure. When she blinked at me, I added, “I—I don’t know what to call you. You’ve always been Dr. Reed, but everyone said…”

“You can call me Trinity,” she replied, and when I wrinkled my nose—because she was someone who’d studied hard to gain her position—she added, “Or Dr. Kohler, if you prefer. ‘Reed’ is my ex-husband’s name. Julian and Anthony changed their names before I did.”

“Dr. Kohler,” I said, touching my fingertips to my lips. This might not be so bad. It was almost a herald to a new beginning. “T-thank you.” My skin grew warm as my confidence wavered. “For—for keeping me safe until now.”

I wasn’t sure if I could be everything they expected, but with my acceptance and my new connection to Julian, I no longer had a choice. I could only hope I wouldn’t disappoint them too much along the way.

“Don’t get too close!” Damen said, glaring as Bryce came near my bed. “She’s fragile!”

The onmyoji had reclaimed his spot immediately after Dr. Kohler, Dr. Stephens, and Detective Kohler left and I’d taken a shower.

“Stop embarrassing yourself,” Bryce replied. He was carrying a bed tray, and ignoring Damen’s attempt to kick him, he set the tray over my lap. “Eat,” he instructed.

I glanced at the steaming orange soup and the yellow drink, then at Bryce. A single purple bellflower lay across the porcelain bowl, and I hoped it wasn’t from him. That would be taking this farce a bit too far.

“It’s pumpkin soup and chamomile tea with honey,” Bryce explained. “Miles made it to help you recover.”

“Oh,” I said softly, picking up the spoon. If it was from Miles, then that was okay. Where was he anyway? I kind of wanted to see him.

Brayden was sitting on my vanity chair, eyeing Damen, and he waited until I began to eat before he spoke. “So, what next?” he asked.

I glanced at Damen, who responded. “I talked to Gregory and Joe before they left, and I’ve asked them to continue to keep Bianca’s position a secret. So we’ll continue the cover story until we can confirm allegiances.”

“Why?” Brayden asked. “Who are you worried about?”

Damen’s expression darkened, but he didn’t answer.

“You’re still quitting school?” Damen asked, looking at me.

I started and, ignoring Bryce’s pouting face, nodded. “For now,” I said nervously. “Is it okay if I go back next semester?”

“That’s fine, baby girl,” Damen replied, brushing his lips across my forehead. “I’ll talk to my father. He will understand. Who knows, maybe next time I’ll be your teacher.”

“We’ll see.” I frowned. I did not like the idea of that at all. But since I wasn’t ever going to touch psychology, it didn’t matter.

What if he were my teacher, though? How unsettling would it be? He would be completely unable to control himself, and I would be forced to avoid libraries for the entire duration of any class we shared.

My thoughts were interrupted as Titus stepped into the room, his expression tense.

“What’s wrong?” Damen, who’d been relaxed against me, suddenly tensed.

“He’s done it again,” Titus sighed. “Nothing I said got through his thick skull, and he left when my back was turned. Here, this is from Miles,” the dragon said as he crossed the room and handed me a piece of elaborately folded paper with my name scrawled across the top.

“From Miles?” I echoed, and my fingers trembled as I unfolded the paper.

Mon rêve,

Like an underdone soufflé, I’m not quite ready for your discerning palate. I now must embark on my quest to become a better man. When time is ripe, fate will bring us together again.

Forever with love, Miles

I felt the blood rush from my head as I stared at the oddly phrased letter in my hands. And, outside of the bitter sting of abandonment, I couldn’t help but wonder—

What in the world?

“Oh,” Damen said, reading over my shoulder. “He’s back to that again, I see.”

“What are you talking about?” My voice was strangely high-pitched as I turned to him and held the letter to my chest.

“Miles is a big baby,” Titus said.

“No.” Damen frowned at him. “He’s an introvert and a creative. Plus, he’s got that project coming up before he can graduate from basic training. He’s probably off to do something witchy that none of us would understand.”

“No,” Titus argued. “It’s probably something stupid. He was scared shitless of Jonathon earlier.”

I glanced between them, my confusion growing. “Why would he be scared?”

My adoptive father was usually pretty unfrightening.

Damen sighed, running a hand through his hair. “It’s complicated, baby girl. Miles has been feeling… pressured lately. He thinks he needs to prove himself.”

“Prove himself?” I echoed, looking back at the letter. Suddenly, the odd phrasing made a bit more sense. Was this what he meant by becoming a ‘better man’?

“Don’t worry about it,” Titus grunted. “He’ll be back once he gets over himself.”

But as I reread Miles’s words, I couldn’t shake the feeling that there was more to this than they were letting on. What exactly was Miles trying to prove, and to whom?