Page 214 of Whispers of Wisteria

“Oh.” I bit my lip. It almost felt like I could breathe again. “I—I’ll see Dr. Nam first, okay? But… I’ll go. Just… Can you tell them to stop asking?”

Damen lifted a brow.

“I—” My skin flushed. “I don’t want anyone to get pushy. Can’t they wait until I’m brave enough?”

“Alright,” he said finally. “I’ll tell them. We’ll wait until you’re ready. But you’ll try. Soon.”

I nodded, and even though a small part of me was still afraid, for the first time, I felt more than just fear at the idea.

Miles POV

No one spoke after Julian stormed into Damen’s office. He stood near the door and glared in the general direction of Bianca’s bedroom. Titus hadn’t moved from his place near the bookshelves, and I stayed in my seat.

It felt like ages before Damen returned and closed the door.

He didn’t look at us and was deep in thought as he made his way back to his desk.

“What was that all about?” Julian snapped. “Do I have yourpermissionto go back now?”

“Not yet,” Damen replied.

“So?” Titus said as he crossed his arms. “Did you burn the damn thing?”

Julian, who’d been moving toward the door, clearly planning to sneak out anyway, paused and looked at Titus.

“No,” Damen said. My chest grew tight, and I was about to protest when Damen added, “Leave it alone.”

“What?” Titus dropped his hands back to his sides. “You’re fucking kidding me.”

My breath was tight. “Why not?” I wanted nothing more than to tear it apart. She shouldn’t have anything from that place.

Damen looked at me evenly. “Besides the fact that it’sevidence—” he started, and I bristled.

I knew that. But it didn’t change how I felt.

“—it’s also what keeps her grounded.” Damen looked at each of us. “No one is to harass her about it. Nobody says anything unless she comes to you first.”

“What are we talking about?” Julian asked, impatience gone.

“The rabbit,” Damen answered. Julian paused, thoughtful, as Damen added, “It’s the only thing she brought with her when she moved here.”

Well, and some shoes.

Still, “Okay,” I said. I didn’t like it, and personally, I didn’t understand how it would help.

But Damen knew what he was talking about.

“I don’t care.” Titus’s voice was dark, and his energy pulled in. “I’m going to destroy it.”

“You will not touch it,” Damen replied in equal measure. “If something happens to that rabbit before she feels safe, it could set her recovery back by years.”

Titus glowered. “It smells ofeverything!”

“Kieran gave it to her,” Damen said. “And it stayed with her the whole time. That rabbit is how she survived. She needs it.”

Titus growled, fists shaking, and Damen’s mood lowered.

“I mean it,” he said. “Do not do anything to it.”