Page 206 of The Wishing Game

"Thea, calm down," I whisper as I come to her side, trying to get her to release Wyn, who is already frightened by her outburst.

"He kissed you. And he's been giving you gifts," Thea repeats numbly. "Cer is going to kill him," she mutters under her breath.

"No, please, no. Don't tell him. Please," Wyn pleads with her. "It was just a friendly kiss. He wouldn't take advantage of me..."

"This isn'tfriendly, Wyn." Thea points to her bracelet. "Don't tell me you don't know what these stones are or how much they are worth."

Wyn swallows.

"He was just being nice."

Thea lets out a dry laugh.

"I'm going to have a serious talk with him about this. You're not even out in society and he's giving you gifts? Kissing your forehead? Goodness, Wyn, if anyone found out, you would be ruined.Ruined."

"But—"

"No buts. You are not toeverbe alone with him. If he likes you so much, he'll go to Father and declare his intentions, though I doubt that will happen." She shakes her head. "And this?" She takes the bracelet off. "You can't tell anyone about this. Do you understand me?"

"You can't just take it. It's mine..." Wyn adds weakly as she tries to get back her bracelet.

"Do you understand me?" Thea repeats, raising her arm and keeping the bracelet out of reach.

Wyn blinks back tears as her eyes flit from her sister to the bracelet.

She gives her a reluctant nod before she flies out of the room, sobs echoing in her wake.

As the door closes behind her, Thea releases a deep breath as she sinks to the floor.

"Are you all right?" I whisper as I sit next to her, reaching out to pat her shoulder.

She shakes her head, her features tense as she tries to hold back her tears.

"She can't end up like me. I won't allow it. I won't," she mumbles as she draws her knees to her chest. "I thought her crush on Aethon was just a silly thing she'd grow out of. I didn't realize... I should have paid more attention to her."

"Is he so bad? He's Cer's friend, isn't he?"

"He's not bad. But he willnevermate her. Of that I am sure."

"But why? She's such a beautiful and lively girl..."

"She is, isn't she?" Thea smiles. "But it's not enough. The Supremes will never allow him to mate with any random female. He's one of the last of his bloodline, and that means he has a duty to perpetuate his line. The only way he can successfully do so is by mating with a compatible female."

"Does Wyn know this?"

Thea shakes her head. "No. She's so innocent. We've all done our best to keep her away from politics. But she will need to know soon."

"She'll understand you want the best for her."

"I hope so."

The time comes for us to head to dinner, and we head down to the dining room. I'm a little nervous about being introduced to Thea's parents, but I hope everything will be fine.

As we reach the dining room, there are servants lined up on each side.

In the middle of the room there's a giant table that must seat over twenty or thirty people—then again, I wouldn't expect any less considering what I've seen of the house so far.

Wyn is already sitting down and staring dejectedly into her plate.

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