Page 4 of Dead Wrong

I shook the heated thoughts from my head, a shiver creeping down my spine from another burst of cool air washing over my flushed face. With a simple wave of my hand and a shower of golden sparks, the windows flew shut.

Bastien flinched, his mug tipping forward, but he managed to catch it before it toppled over.

Damn my distracted impulsiveness. I knew better than to use magic—even simple magic—so flippantly around Bastien. It was so second nature to me I hardly had a moment to reconsider. Magic was as much a part of me as using my hands or feet. But for Bastien, who had grown up outside of the Magi City, in a town of mortals, being so close to magic was an adjustment.

“Forgive me,” I offered, giving a weak smile. “I’m trying to be better about that.”

Bastien waved off my apology. “It’s fine. I promise. Maybe I shouldn’t have poured myself a second cup. I’m already jumpy enough as it is.”

There was something else underneath his words. A shadow that settled across his features and obscured the brightness I had grown so accustomed to. It spurred a twinge in my chest to see his luminescence dim.

“Are you sure I couldn’t convince you to tag along today? The look on Mother’s face alone would be well worth any recourse. And selfishly, I so desperately wish to show you off. Parade you around all those dreadfully boring princelings who flock to me.”

“I have a shift,” Bastien replied, fidgeting in his chair. “And we’ve talked about this. I don’t think it would be a good idea.”

“But why? I’ve already told her about us—not that she didn’t already know. What’s the worst the old hag could do?”

I knew all too well there was a lot that Mother could and probably would do to me if I showed up to her event with a mortal in tow. I could just imagine the gasps. The clutching of pearls. The sordid whispers.

It would be glorious. If only for a moment.

“I don’t belong in that world,” Bastien said, cutting through my mask of sarcasm. “And I have no interest in getting involved with your family politics. I won’t be reduced to some headline in the gossip column for a bunch of Magi socialites to gawk over just so you can piss off your mother.”

I flinched at the force behind his words.

“That was never my intention,” I said slowly. “And I apologize if I made it seem so. Your comfort is far more important to me than any of those assholes that Mother spends her time wining and dining. Why should they deserve a chance to feast their eyes on such beauty?”

Bastien’s lips curled into a slight smile. Flattery was a weakness that I knew how to leverage.

“But just to be clear, if I keep showing up unaccompanied, Mother is going to make me dance with all of those awful Adored bachelors in some poor attempt at marrying me off.” I covered my face with my hands, slyly peeking through my fingers. “Are you okay with that?”

His smile blossomed into a mischievous grin. “Maybe I will attend, then. If only to watch you longingly from across the room. You never want to dance with me.”

“Not true!” I argued. “I distinctly recall there being dancing last night.”

“Writhing in ecstasy and dancing are not the same thing.”

“Writhing in ecstasy?” I repeated with a laugh. “My, someone thinks highly of themselves.”

Bastien shrugged, clearly holding back his own laughter. “I merely speak the truth.”

“There should be a consensus from all parties before such claims can be corroborated.”

“Have you forgotten so quickly, Tobias?” Bastien asked, setting down his mug and rising from his seat. “It sounds like someone could use a refresher.”

I glanced up at the clock just as Bastien swept me up into his arms, hoisting me over his shoulder.

“Fine, fine, but we better make it quick!”

* * *

“Stop touching that.”

Bastien steered my curious hand away from the sparkling green gem embedded in my chest. The facets pulsed with acidic green energy in time with my heartbeat, and even though the edges sunk into my flesh, there was no pain at my poking.

Maybe it was the effects of death lingering in my veins. The numbness had only just left the tips of my fingers a few moments prior.

“Could you at least find me a shirt to cover up with?” I asked, still fixated on the pulsing protrusion. “I’m going to stare at the damn thing all day if I don’t get it out of my sight.”

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