Page 31 of Reflections of Peonies
“You don’t think,” Bryce interrupted, shrugging his shoulders. “That is the problem. This place is crawling with witches, and Bianca’s existence is meant to subjugate them. These people are not officials used to being around power. Do you honestly believe she’s been treated like any other patient? I’m sure they’re on their best behavior when you can witness, but what do you think happens behind closed doors?”
Julian’s mouth was still open, his expression stunned. Meanwhile, Damen’s hands dropped.
“What?” Damen looked at me. “What happened?”
I finished my cheeseburger, no longer as excited to eat the second. “I told you already that nurses are mean,” I said.
Julian and Damen’s expressions became similarly murderous.
Damen’s eyebrow twitched, but Julian spoke first, “What have they been doing?”
“They’ll turn off my lights.” I glanced toward the door and bit my lip. “No one will really talk to me directly, and they won’t let me talk to them. I’m supposed to be able to read my books, but they won’t let me have them after you leave.”
I looked at Julian. “They’re not nice when they change my bandages or give me medication. They said I’m dangerous.”
“I’ll show them dangerous.” Damen jumped to his feet, but Julian touched his arm. “What?”
“This needs to go to Miles.” Julian’s expression had closed off, and his eyes darkened.
“Fine,” Damen said after a moment. “We’ll just have to stay with her all the time until then.” He then fell back into his seat, covering his eyes, as he added, “We’re still not listening.”
My appetite returned as I cautiously took another bite of my burger. I had no idea what Damen was talking about. However, it hadn’t taken me long to notice that if no one else was talking, he’d keep giving out information anyway.
Julian looked at him. “We need to get her out of here.”
“I’m trying,” Damen replied. “Miles said he had an idea, but I haven’t heard anything about it.”
Bryce cleared his throat. “Speaking of,” he began as he stood and faced me. The look in his eyes made my skin prickle, and I doubted his next words would make me happy. “We should let everyone know we’re married.”
My food suddenly tasted like ash, and I stared at him. “What?”
Before Bryce could explain his delusions, Julian interjected. “Pardon me?”
Damen was staring as his face slowly turned scarlet.
“It’s Miles’s idea.” Bryce shrugged. “If she were married, a spouse’s claim on the conservatorship would override her parents’. He’s started the paperwork already. Supposedly, we fell in love and wed soon after classes began. If you want to leave, just follow along. I’ll get you out.”
My heart was thundering as the cheeseburger dropped to my lap.
It was a brilliant idea. But this wasBryce. What were his motives?
“Is that why you brought me food?” I narrowed my eyes. “You’re using a cheeseburger to bribe me into marriage? What kind of engagement gift is this?”
“I’ve more class than that. The food is extra.” Bryce lifted a brow. “I’m getting you a ring.”
Damen jumped to his feet and pulled me behind him. He didn’t seem to care about the mess he made and my meal fell to the floor in his hasty movements.
“Absolutely not,” he seethed. Before I could even process what was happening, Julian had also moved between us. I couldn’t see Bryce anymore.
“You must be joking.” Julian’s voice was tight. “Or Miles has lost his mind. Once it comes out who she is, the Council will be difficult enough to navigate. It’d make it far worse if she reneged on the agreement.”
“Hey…” I tugged at Julian’s shirt. “What do you mean?”
“The Council?” Julian glanced at me. “They’ll attempt to throw the rule book at every little thing—”
“I’m not talking about that.” I pulled his sleeve again. “What is it?” Damen had mentioned it once before, but I’d never thoughtto learn about the details. There’d been more pressing matters at the time.
The furious expression faded from Julian’s face instantly, and Damen tensed.
