Page 70 of Beneath the Haunting Sea

The fire jumped and sparked in thedining hall, the wind howling just beyond the glass. The lamp on the table burned low, the supplemental candles in their silver holders dripping wax on freshly ironed linen.

Talia and Wen were dining alone, both CaidenandBlaive failing to appear. Wen hadn’t brought his music with him this time. He looked tired and far away, but vaguely contented.

“Did you finish it?” she asked him, lookingacross the wavering candle flames. “Your symphony?”

“Not yet.” A smile tugged at his lips. “But I have the first movement mostly down.”

His happiness was infectious, and she smiled back. “I’m glad for you.” She cut off a piece of roast venison and chewed it slowly.

“Are you doing all right?” he asked, his eyes growing serious. “I didn’t know if you wanted to be left alone, or if you wantedto talk about … about the mirror room. I know it … changed some things for me, the first time I went in there.”

She swallowed her meat, grasping awkwardly for a lie. “I’m fine. Really.”

“You promised me you wouldn’t do anything crazy.”

She pushed down her guilt. “I won’t.”

And then they both heard hoofbeats ringing distantly on the stones in front of the house. She felt herself go rigid.

Wen’s face closed a little.

“Wen—”

“You don’t have to hide it from me,” he said. “I know you care for him. I don’t blame you.”

She sat there, staring at Wen, as the fire popped and the wind shrieked outside the Ruen-Dahr. Bright spots of snow showed white against the window. Yes, she did care for Caiden, but she cared about Wen, too. And now she’d hurt him.

“I’m sorry,” she said, entirely miserable.

“Don’t be.” He shrugged, affecting carelessness. Then added gently, “Go and see him, then.”

She chewed on her lip and got up from the table, wishing she could erase the pain from his eyes. “I’ll be right back.”

“I’ll be here.”

Out on the flagstone drive the snow was falling thick and fast. It clung to her hair and gown, and she hugged her chest, shuddering in the freezing wind. She’d hurt Wen,and she didn’t know how to fix it.

But wasn’t it better this way? She was leaving soon. It would hurt him more, if he knew she considered him her friend and wasn’t planning on telling him her secret. Or even saying goodbye.

And then she saw them coming back from the stables and she forgot about everything else.

Caiden and Blaive, walking close together, her arm around his waist, her face radiant.His face, dazed.

They stopped short when they saw her, perched on the steps like a ghost, her skirt whirling about her knees.

“Caiden?” said Talia hesitantly.

His glance was fierce and cold in the orange light spilling out of the Ruen-Dahr’s windows.

And then Blaive stepped forward, lifting her right hand so Talia was sure to see the ring gleaming on her first finger: an amethyst bound intricatelyin gold.

Talia stared, too shocked to quite understand.

“Caiden has asked me to marry him!” Blaive’s face split in a brilliant smile, and her expression held no malice—only joy. “He rode into the village today to set my ring. Isn’t it beautiful?”

But Talia was staring at Caiden. What did hemean,asking Blaive to marry him? He’d kissedher.He’d practically promised her the world. She’d thought—she’dthought—

He stood rigid, the muscles jumping in his jaw. “It was my mother’s ring,” he said, not taking his eyes from Talia’s. “Rather, my mother’s stone. It took time to find the proper setting.”

---