Page 27 of Reflections of Peonies
She was in even more danger than we suspected. And no fake marriage would throw them off.
“The Council knows?” Finn asked, his voice alarmed. “But—”
“No, they don’t know.” Bryce rested his chin on his hand. “Only a retired member knows about this, and they wouldn’t say anything.”
People didn’t generally leave the Council. That’d only happened twice in recent history.
It couldn’t have been Gloria. Despite being Alyssa’s godmother, she wasn’t at the Dubois residence when Bianca was born.
But Gregory had been.
“It was Gregory?” I asked. But he’d shown no indication that he recognized Bianca. However, sometimes, he wasn’t the most observant. “Do you think he knows who she is?”
“I don’t think so.” Bryce frowned. “Something was blocking her aura until recently, so she was hard to recognize. I don’t think he’s really paying attention to her. He only mentioned her in passing. Also—” Bryce continued, stroking his chin. “He doesn’t know her name. I named her beforehand.”
Bryce named her? That explained his possessiveness.
“Who is Bailey then?” I asked.
Bryce’s shoulders stiffened. “The point is, they don’t know. Yet.”
“This gives you even more incentive to work with the plan,” Isaid. “This will get her out of there. We can help her, and she’ll have a legitimate reason to be near us.”
“I can’t marry her.” Bryce rubbed his forehead. “I’m her brother.”
“Anyone who knows won’t call you out, they’ve been trying to keep her hidden for too long,” I pointed out. “Besides, the marriage would only be on paper until we sort out the conservatorship situation. And Bryce—” I pointed at Finn. “—if you don’t do it,heis still an option.”
It was an empty threat—Julian would murder Finn before seeing him marry Bianca. But Bryce needed an incentive.
Finn sat up, barely containing his eagerness. “I don’t mind—”
“No,” Bryce interrupted, glowering in his direction. “While I owe you a debt, I can’t allowthat. Your feelings are too obvious, and this needs to be a façade.”
“A Xing can’t get married,” Finn pointed out. “It would still be fake.”
“No, we can legally get married,” I reminded him. “It’s the consequences if we do so that are the problem. Besides, we agreed to follow these rules. Considering that, it’s better that she isn’t actually married when the truth comes out.”
“This is stupid,” Bryce sighed. “She hates me. She’s not going to say yes.”
“Fine,” I shrugged. “I can ask Brayden. He knows who she is, right?”
“Don’t ask Brayden.” Bryce rolled his eyes. “And of course he knows. But Brayden doesn’t know how to be subtle. He hides behind sarcasm, but he’s already planning on hurting the lot of you any time you get near her.”
“He’s better at subtlety than you are with sensitivity,” Finn said. “Remember, she’s been through a lot. You cannot be horrible around her.”
“Are you reciting a line?” Bryce narrowed his eyes. “Why are you suddenly being so helpful anyway?”
“I didn’t think she was ready for this,” Finn said, glaring at the floor. “I still don’t. You’re in over your heads, and you will hurt her. But it’s too late for me to stop it; I can only try to contain the damage.”
“We would never hurt her!” I frowned at him.
“On that note…” Finn ignored me as he addressed Bryce. “You must make sure she stays on her medication.”
Bryce scowled, distrust flashing through his eyes. “Why?” When Finn didn’t respond, Bryce added, “Does this have anything to do with Julian’s accusation that Bianca’s medicine somehow affects you?”
Unlike Bryce, I had seen the recording from Daniel Cole’s archives and wondered the same thing.
“Finn,” I began, “where’s your shikigami?”
