Page 41 of Brambles and Bellflowers
A chill descended over the vehicle, and Damen’s voice was chipped when he responded, “What?”
“I’m just saying.” I shrugged, trying to keep my voice light. “You all keep telling me to believe in this supernatural connection—but it doesn’t seem very dependable, does it?”
“I never would have stood by if I’d known what was happening,” Damen said, his voice quieter now, his brows furrowing—not in defensiveness, but something closer to frustration, maybe even guilt.
“Never thought you would,” I replied, my voice clipped. “That’s not my point.”
His gaze was sharp. “Then what is? You’re angry about it.”
I frowned at him. “I’m not angry.”
“Yes, you are.” His voice was calm, but there was a certainty in it that made the hair on my neck rise. “You wouldn’t have brought it up otherwise.”
A lump formed in my throat, and I looked away. “Th-that’s not what I was saying. I—I just don’t get it.”
I could feel everyone’s eyes on me, and I took a deep breath as I looked out the window. “Never mind.”
“Bianca—” Julian began, lowering his book. He turned toward me, his fingers brushing against mine. “You don’t need to…”
His words trailed off as—before I could stop myself—I pulled away. “S-sorry,” I said, unable to look at him despite the flash of hurt crossing our bond. “I’m fine.”
“You are not fine.” I didn’t have to be looking at Damen to hear him, and his disapproval hung heavy in the air. I wishedfor nothing more than for the floor to open up and swallow me whole.
This had not been my intention for this conversation. I just wanted them to care about Miles. To show an ounce of worry.
Damen was still looking at me, though, and I tensed as he started, “You can’t run away for—”
“Leave her alone.” Finn’s voice cut through the tension like a knife. The cards scattered across my lap as he moved to shield me from Damen’s intense stare.
“Excuse me?” Damen asked.
“For once, I agree with him,” Bryce cut in, his aristocratic drawl cutting through the tension. “For someone so well-versed in psychology, you’re being remarkably obtuse. Even I can see that.”
The two exchanged a glance and Finn nodded, his shoulders squaring as he gained confidence from Bryce’s support.
The air grew thick with unspoken tension. Brayden looked between them, eyes wide, and Julian and Titus watched Damen. The playful mood from earlier had long since vanished, and I unconsciously leaned toward Finn’s protective presence.
“This isn’t your concern,” Damen replied. “She’s the one who brought up our connection as a quintet.”
“It’s my concern if she starts crying.” Finn’s hand shook as he adjusted his glasses. “She’s sitting right next to me.”
“Yeah, I wonder how that happened.” Damen snorted, finally turning a suspicious gaze to Finn. “Don’t think I didn’t notice how youshovedBryce into the second row just to get back there.”
Finn’s expression twisted almost comically, his face turning a deep scarlet. “I just didn’t want to sit beside Julian.”
“Whatever,” Damen said. “Just don’t forgetyourrole—and the rules.”
“I know the damn rules.” Finn’s voice cracked with emotion as he turned to stare out of Bryce’s window. “I’ve been reciting them every day for ten years.”
“Ten years?” Julian scoffed, the tension loosening from his frame. “That’s nothing.”
I blinked as the heavy weight on my chest loosened, and my hands stopped shaking. My thoughts scrambled as my attention latched on to this—rather than Julian, Bryce, and Brayden’s probing expressions.
Why would Finn be reciting rules to himself every day? I had a suspicion, but there was no way I was correct.
Then again, the facts were undeniable. Finn and Bryce’s Er Bashou bond, the guilt Finn must feel over lying to his quintet, and now, their improving partnership.
The realization hit me like a wave—Finn was in love with Bryce! Why else would he seek to separate us? For years, he’d deceived the person he adored, and now we were married because of his incompetence. We might not have needed such deception if he’d gone to Damen sooner. The knowledge must be eating him alive.
