Page 84 of Whispers of Wisteria

“Because that’s what she does!” I swung, barely missing his face. He lightly pushed me and I stepped back into the hallway. “It’salwaysthe same! She’ll sacrifice herself every time. Don’t you remember how many times she’s died because of this?”

“We can’t talk when you’re like this,” Miles said, and Titus stepped behind him. “Why don’t we calm down and—”

“I’m done.” I stalked towards the stairwell. “Don’t bother us.”

“Us?” Miles asked. “What do you mean—”

“Miles. Titus.” Damen’s voice reverberated through the space. Titus stopped short of grabbing my shirt. “Let him go.”

They both fell back. Damen stood in the doorway, features shadowed by the light. “Control yourself, or you’ll regret it.”

I wanted to laugh. “You’re one to talk.”

“Julian.” He wasn’t smiling, nor did he seem moved by my anger. “I mean it.”

My throat closed, and my rebuttal died at the calm—yet serious—look in his eyes. Itskedbefore turning away and moving up the stairs.

The journey through the hallway was too short, and I was already in front of her room before I could regain my bearings.

I didn’t knock. Instead, I pushed open the door and said, “Come with me,” before I even saw her.

I looked up and my breath caught.

She was sitting with her back against the headboard. The neck of her lace nightgown had slipped down one shoulder. She was holding a stuffed rabbit and a pink blanket covered her lap.

But it was the look on her face that made me pause. It was blank and delicate, almost like she wasn’t even there.

She glanced up, and her messy hair fell into waves around her as she shivered.

“Come on,” I said again, softly, trying not to let the sight stir my fury even more.

Her dazed eyes met mine, and she shook as she pulled the blanket to her mouth.

I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. She was upset. She’d been through a lot.

I couldn’t let any of my frustrations out on her.

“It’s fine, darling.” It wasn’t. “We’re just going to go somewhere.”

She stared down at her lap, then picked at her sleeve.

A little bit of fight left me then. “Get dressed first, okay?”

She nodded.

Just hurry, please, I added mentally. I needed to get away for a while.

She was alreadyin the hallway by the time I was done changing. I was still exhausted, and I smelled strongly of antiseptic, but there’d been no time for a shower.

She would always be my priority.

She wore a tan sweater over a green dress and had put on black flats. But her expression was still closed, and her hair hadn’t been touched. Her legs were bare, so it was possible she hadn’t considered the plunging temperatures.

“All right,” I said, touching her shoulder. “Let’s go.”

I grabbed our jackets and an extra blanket from the linen closet, then we were out the door.

Bianca remained silent during the fifteen-minute drive with her temple pressed against the window. Her breath caused theglass to fog, and there was no way she could see anything, but it didn’t seem like it bothered her.