Page 227 of The Wishing Game

"Thanks... I think?"

"We make a good team, Luce." He nods proudly to himself.

My lips twitch, and I find myself smiling indulgently at him. I don't know if it's the way he saidteamor the fact that he used my name, but there's a strange warmth developing inside of me.

"You and me?" I challenge playfully.

He threads our fingers together, fitting his palm on top of mine. The size difference is unmistakable, his hand more than double in size. As the surface of his palm envelops mine, I feel a light pulsation at the top of my skin, one that grows in intensity just as it becomes louder and echoes in my ears.

"Onlyyou and me," he speaks in a low, gruff voice.

His eyes find mine, gripping them in a tight vise that squeezes the air out of my lungs. A tingle erupts at the center of my palm, traveling up my arm and making its home in my chest.

The door to the library suddenly opens, and Thea's voice rings out.

"Luce? Are you here?"

"Here!" I wave at her. Yet just as I look to my side, I note that Ze's already gone.

For a moment, I have to wonder if I did the right thing by agreeing to help him. Yet despite the high stakes, Ze is right in one regard—this is for the greater good. I'm not going to get Nikki back just to lose him again in a demon apocalypse. No, that's out of the question. Once I get him back, we're going to fully live our lives and grow old together. I'll accept nothing less.

I might, however, need to hide this from Nikki. He's already jealous as it is of Ze. I don't want to give him more reason to get mad.

I put on a bright smile as I join Thea and Wyn downstairs, ready to go into town.

This is the right thing to do...right?

FORTY-EIGHT

The journey in the city is short. A luxurious carriage with the Duke of Sigmore's crest takes us to the seamstress's shop. As we step inside the shop, a bell rings, announcing our arrival.

"Lady Sigmore, I was expecting you." A middle-aged woman comes forward to greet us. She has a sweet smile on her face as she regards Wyn with eyes crinkling with warmth. Wyn takes her hands in hers, returning the smile, and a few other women in the back glare at her daring gesture.

"Wyn," Thea whispers, pinching her sister. "People are watching."

Wyn's smile becomes strained as she lets go of the woman's hands.

"This is my sister, Thea, and her friend, Luce," Wyn introduces us in a polite tone.

"Welcome. Please come in. The dress is in the back," she says, motioning us to follow her.

As we head to the back of the shop, I let my gaze roam around. The walls are draped in various colored fabrics, with a few gowns displayed on mannequins on each side of the shop. The materials appear luxurious, the gowns on display absolutely breathtaking. In particular, my eyes stray to a purple one with black flowers embroidered all over the bodice.

The other seamstresses stare at us, their countenances stiff and unfriendly. They barely nod at us as we pass by them, turning to whisper amongst themselves.

"Let's try the dress on, shall we? I've finished adding the details you asked me for last time," the seamstress adds as she ushers Wyn into the changing room.

Thea and I remain behind, wanting to give her and the seamstress enough space to get dressed and adjust the gown.

The seamstress gives us a pleasant smile before she closes the door to the changing room, assuring us Wyn will be back shortly to show us her gown.

"I'm so excited, Luce," Thea murmurs, her eyes glossy with unshed tears. "I can't believe my Wyn is already an adult."

"What happened this morning? If it's okay for you to tell me."

"Wyn's ryoku? I forgot you're not familiar with our ways. It means her body has reached full maturity and her main abilities are manifesting," she explains with a sigh. "She will soon start her qualifying exams and in no time, she will have offers from all eligible bachelors..."

"She doesn't seem very keen on that considering her infatuation with Aethon." I smile, remembering how I was at her age—just as infatuated with Nikki.

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