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I’m not sure what to say to his observation—it’s not a compliment to say thank you to. But what should I say? He’s wearing a suit and it looks good on him, but I have a feeling Prince Stellan looks good no matter what he wears.
Out of the corner of my eye, I spot Cypress. He’s, as I predicted, standing in a corner as far away from everybody that he can possibly get.
“Have you met my younger brother yet?” I ask.
To my surprise, Prince Stellan nods. “He came to speak to me before the wedding.”
“What?” My voice comes out as a loud squeak, so I clear my throat.
“He was just doing his duty as your brother—basically vowing to me that if I hurt you, he’ll kill me.” He waves ahand, like it isn’t a big deal. “I’m pretty sure my older sister came to do the exact same thing to you.”
Mybrothersaid that? To the crown prince of the dragons?
Before I can question him further—or remind him that a fae can’t break their vows—a group of dragon shifters walk up to Stellan and me to offer their congratulations on our wedding. Once the first group arrives, everybody is quick to line up, all wanting their opportunity to congratulate us.
As I stand there and smile so much that my cheeks begin to ache, I mull over what Cypress said to Prince Stellan. I guess I should have seen it coming. For as long as I can remember, it’s always been Cypress and me against the world. Even though it would’ve made sense for me to be close to Poppy, given that we’re only ten months apart in age, my sister and I have vastly different personalities and interests. But from the moment Cypress was born, I knew there was something about my younger brother. Even when he was a toddler, he would sneak into my room at night to sleep in my bed with me. Eventually, his mom stopped trying to make him sleep in his own room.
Though we both outgrew staying in each other’s rooms, we’ve stayed close. I tell Cypress everything. And now, he’s going to be all alone.
My chest aches, as I wish my father would’ve had a fourth child. Though, I suppose to do that he’d have to stop hating my stepmom.
Eventually, Prince Stellan and I greet more people than I’ll ever remember. I go through the motions of everything, trying to pretend like I’m not overwhelmed. But the truth is, I just want to go home. I want to my bed.
My breath gets caught in my throat as I remember that I’m not going home. When this celebration is over, I’ll bestaying here, with the dragon shifters. And suddenly, the one place that always felt like a prison doesn’t sound so bad anymore. It’s home—my home. And I’ve never felt so sick at the thought of not being there.
Stellan, who has barely spoken a word to me all evening, leans over and whispers to me. “Are you ready to get out of here?”
I nod, wordlessly getting to my feet. They’re aching from my shoes. Though they’re cute and give me quite a bit of height, they weren’t made for long hours of standing. If we weren’t in a room full of people, I’d be taking my shoes off right now.
On our way out, we’re stopped by five different groups, each conversation lasting way too long. By the time we make it out of the room, I’m over it. I reach down to take off my shoes. I nearly lose my balance and fall over, but Prince Stellan captures me by the elbow and holds me steady.
“Thanks.” I grin up at him as I get my shoe all the way off.
He tilts his head to the side. “The shoes don’t look very comfortable.”
“They’re not.”
“So why wear…” His voice trails off as he studies me carefully. “You’re short.”
I chuckle at the statement. “Nah, you’re just tall.”
He looks at me with narrowed eyes. “I guess I am tall, compared to fae.”
I put one hand on my hip. “Please, I saw you in there. You’re even tall compared to the other dragon shifters.” I frown. “And Iamshort. I met a ten-year-old who is taller than me.”
He chuckles, leading me down the hallway. Before we make it too far, I hear somebody call my name.
“Wisteria.”
I turn around when I hear my brother’s voice. He runs toward us and I meet him halfway. He wraps me in a tight hug, lifting me from the ground.
“I’m going to miss you,” he says.
Tears sting the back of my eyes as he lets me go from his embrace. “I know you probably won’t be able to visit often, but promise you will.”
“I will.” He doesn’t break eye contact. “I vow it, Wisteria.”
“I’ll come see you too,” I promise him. I put my hand on his arm. “Don’t let the monarchs walk all over you. You’re going to make an amazing emperor.”
