Page 24 of The Poison Daughter
An uncomfortable feeling, something like sympathy, twists in my stomach.
This could all be a carefully choreographed game to prey on my sympathies. I know better than to expect not to be tested. After last night, I can’t put any of this past her.
Harlow steps closer, and the heady scent of her skin hits me like a blow, mingling with the iron smell of blood.
I place my palm over her bloody wound. Her skin is warm and sticky and her pulse pounds.
“Does it hurt?” I whisper.
“No,” she says.
The burning ache that she’s trying very hard not to react to is so sharp it feels like my arm is wounded.
I click my tongue. “Lying again, lovely? Shame on you. It doesn’t matter, though, because I can feel it.”
Her gaze goes far away.
“Harlow?”
Her eyes remain unfocused, like she’s looking through me. I push my power into her, and she winces as the tingling, itching sensation hits her skin.
“It will pass in a second,” I say.
She clenches her jaw as the last edge of the cut knits together. I know that overwhelming itch. She sighs as I pull out a handkerchief and wipe away the blood to reveal flawless skin again.
“Remarkable,” Liza says. “You’d never even know she was cut.”
For a moment, I forget to speak. Neither of her parents looks remotely concerned about whether Harlow is still in pain. I suppose it’s not a surprise since they just watched a man die without batting an eye. Still, I thought maybe they’d show more concern for their own daughter.
I meet Harlow’s eyes. “The pain takes longer to abate, but it will.”
Liza steps closer. “Does it work as well on sickness? Ailments of the mind?”
I frown at her. “Can’t say I’ve had much opportunity to work on ailments of the mind, but I do well enough with fevers.”
“What happens now?” Harlow asks.
“Now you’ll have time for formal courting here in Lunameade, culminating in an engagement party,” Harrick says. “Then you’ll go back to Mountain Haven for the wedding. I understand that they have their own customs. Unfortunately, we won’t be able to attend with all our duties in the city.”
Harlow nods. She looks so calm, her assessing gaze passing over me, like she’s entirely unconcerned about marrying me.
I want to ruffle her. She tried to kill me, and I want to know why.
“Well, we will leave you all to get settled in,” Liza says, gesturing toward the door.
“I’d love to start getting to know my lovely fiancée now if she’d be willing to take a stroll around the garden,” I say, extending a hand toward Harlow.
The entire group freezes, but the request has the desired effect.
Harlow’s gaze darts to her parents before coming back to rest on me. “Now?”
I smile. “Why not? It’s a glorious day and I’m eager to get to know my bride.”
Her eyes narrow. Maybe I have a death wish, but I like that I’ve finally caught her off guard. This is a test to see if she’ll push back. I want to know how desperate her family is for this alliance.
She purses her lips. “I’d be happy to show you around.”
I hold out my elbow, which she reluctantly takes. “Lead the way, lovely.”
