Page 203 of The Wishing Game

She nods, leaning back to grab more tissues, blows her nose, and wipes the smudged eyeliner from under her eyes. It takes her a few moments to get herself under control as her sobs subside, but the same helplessness is still echoed in her features.

"Is this why you're still in the game? Why you didn't quit when Ze and Cer did?"

Her lips flatten into a thin line.

"If I can take advantage of that loophole, I want to do it. It might be my only way out of this."

"Then all the more reason to win." I smile.

"You're right. We need to win." She pushes her chin up, newfound confidence slowly suffusing her features. "Now let's get ready for this dinner."

She quickly does my makeup before fixing hers. For my hair, she does a single braid that she wraps into a bun at the back of my head.

When we're done with that, she helps me pick a dress and shoes suitable for the occasion. And to make me feel more confident since the dress has a lower neckline, Thea covers the marks on my chest with foundation.

"This is such a pretty gown," I whisper, feeling both prettyandlike myself for the first time in forever. I glance at my reflection in the mirror, and the lack of dark spots on my skin shows me thewhat-ifs—who I would be without the stain of my past to always remind me I'm still a prisoner despite being free.

The dress is long, a light pink color, with an empire waist and square neckline. The sleeves are made of diaphanous lace that flows down my arms. Although simple in design, the luxurious fabric elevates the entire look.

For the shoes, she gives me a pair of white slippers with a little bit of heel and a single jewel on the tip.

"You look so beautiful." She nods, pleased with her work.

As she regards me, her head tilts to the side, a look of concentration on her face. Slowly, her lips spread in a smile.

"My sister is on her way here. I hope you don't mind," she mentions.

Not a moment later, someone knocks on the door.

Thea opens it to receive her, immediately wrapping her arms around her and hugging her tight.

"Thea, you were gone for so long," the girl cries out, her voice young and lively.

"I know. I'm so sorry I wasn't here," Thea comforts her.

They stay like that for moments on end before Thea draws back, a look of happiness unlike any I've seen before settling on her face.

"Come meet my friend," she says, pulling her inside the room and closing the door.

"Luce, this is Wyn," Thea introduces her, and I give her a bright smile.

"Pleased to meet you."

She returns the smile, bending down in a curtsy. She's so damn cute that I can't help but warm up to her right away.

She looks to be about seventeen or eighteen, her hair black as midnight while her eyes are a startling green. She's dressed in a pale green gown adorned by golden ribbons. The style is similar to the one Thea and I are wearing, with an empire waist and long, wide sleeves.

Her hair is tied down her back with a dark green silk fabric.

Yet the most startling thing is how much she looks like Thea. Aside from their different colorings, their features are the same, so much so they could pass as twins. The only difference is that Thea is much taller while Wyn is closer to me in height.

"You brought a friend?" Wyn squeaks as she looks me up and down. "It's so nice to meet you, Luce. Welcome to our home. I'm so happy Thea finally brought over a friend," she says excitedly, coming closer and grabbing my arms. "You're going to stay with us for a while, right? My debut is in a few weeks, and I would love for you to join us."

"Debut?" I blink, sneaking a glance at Thea.

"It's her official debut into adulthood," she explains in a soft voice. "Our kind reaches majority at three thousand years old. She's also going to start her qualifying exams soon."

Wyn turns to her sister and mouths, "Our kind?"

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