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I pen a swift reply, declining and letting her know today is my wedding day, and that I’ll reach out in a few days to see how the Fae Isles can help. I hand the letter to the messenger and watch as he slips from the room, leaving the door ajar.

Gwyn walks in.

“Finally,” Carver says, standing. “Where’s Ava?”

“She’s not feeling well,” Gwyn replies. “Stomachache.”

Carver moves to leave. “I’ll check on her⁠—”

“No!” she shouts. “That’s not necessary. She told me to tell you to take this time to get to know me.”

His brow furrows. “She did?”

She fiddles with a ruffle on her bright pink gown, sunlight sparkling off the diamonds adorning her head.

“Is that my mother’s circlet?” I ask, coughing on my wine.

“It is.” She leans in and kisses my cheek. “Doesn’t it look amazing on me?”

Achlys hisses. Swats at her hand. Draws blood.

I reach for her. “Are you all right?”

She waves me off. “It’s just a scratch.”

“If you say so. I suppose I’ll let Eve know it’ll only be the five of us for lunch.” To Carver, I add, “That is, if you’re still coming. I can’t promise they’ll have blood on hand, but we can pull from the palace kitchens.”

“I’ll go,” he says, glancing uncomfortably at Gwyn. “That way I can bring something back for Ava.”

“Look at you,” she purrs. “Just as thoughtful as King Riven.”

My brow creases. “When have I ever been ‘King Riven’ to you?”

She gently smacks her forehead with her palm. “Gods, sorry. Old habit from pretending to be a bride.”

I watch her over my glass, studying every shift in her face.

Something’s off. Maybe she’s nervous. Or tired.

“Anyway,” she says brightly, “let’s go into the city. There’s a flower shop I want to stop at for my bouquet.”

I stare at her. Hard.

“What?” she asks.

Carver shoots me a glance, then looks at her. “Didn’t you and Ava just spend an hour picking flowers from the garden for your bouquet?”

“Can’t a female change her mind?” she snaps.

He lifts his hands. “I meant no offense⁠—”

“Carver,” I say, voice low and cold. “Come with me.”

Achlys leaps from my lap as I slide from my seat.

From the corner of my eye, Gwyn grins.

It sends a chill down my spine.