Page 99 of The Cost of Blood and Bonds

“Hey! Finn wanted me to check if you two were okay back here.” Rosie’s voice cuts through the moment. I blink, pulling myself back, and find her trotting toward us with an easy smile.

“We’re fine,” Gemma says, a little too quickly. “Just…talking.”

“Mmhmm.” Rosie falls into step beside her, with a knowing smile, and within moments, they’re deep in conversation about the ceremony, and I can’t bring myself to focus on a single word. Because I’m too busy watching her.

She’s finally letting me in. After all those walls, all those careful deflections, she’s looking at me like last night was real, and I’m lighter than I’ve been in years. Like I’ve been holding my breath my whole life, and she’s finally taught me how to exhale. I will do whatever it takes to keep her, whatever it takes to keep this.

It goes on like this, her talking and laughing with Rosie, me falling deeper with every glance, for what feels like hours.

“I can see smoke from the chimneys! We must be close,” Finn calls from ahead.

Thank fuck. I need to get off this horse. I’ve been hard so long it’s painful.

Gemma looks over her shoulder at me, and she gives me an adorable smirk before she nudges her horse forward to catch up with the others. I follow her; I’ll always follow her.

We reach the inn in Briarwood by early afternoon. The Willowmere Estate is just beyond the next hill, but we need to change and prepare before the tethering ceremony.

A messenger meets us in the courtyard with parcels from the castle, clothing sent ahead by my father’s orders.

I see my name, Grier’s name, Finn’s name, Rosie’s name, but no Gemma.

I check twice, three times.

“There must be a mistake,” I say, my jaw tightening.

The messenger shakes his head. “These are all the parcels sent, Your Highness. Formal attire for the prince’s guards and Lady Rosalie, as requested by the crown.”

Lady Rosalie, but not Gemma, not the swordmaster. My father didn’t forget her; he excluded her. Because he doesn’t see her as someone worth dressing or including. Rage burns through my chest.

“Ryewood,” Gemma says, low and calm, trying to steady me.

I turn to the others, forcing my voice to steady. “Get ready. We’ll meet you at the ceremony.”

Finn frowns. “Where are you going⁠—”

“To fix this.”

I turn to Gemma, and my voice softens as I take her hand, lacing my fingers through hers.

“Come with me?” I say.

She hesitates just a fraction, enough that I know she understands what this means.

“If we do this,” I add quietly, “it won’t be invisible.”

Her gaze lifts to mine, searching my face. Color touches her cheeks, but then she smiles, barely there but enough.

“Okay,” she says softly.

She knows what this means, and she’s saying yes anyway.

The shop is small, tucked at the end of the main street. A bell chimes as we enter, and an older woman looks up at us from behind the counter.

“We need a dress,” I say. “For the tethering ceremony, something formal.”

“Of course, right this way, dear,” she replies sweetly, guiding Gemma toward her offerings.

“Take your time. The dressing room is just through there.”