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“I just want to talk,” I assure her.
She motions for me to enter, so I do. I take a seat beside her on the loveseat. I sit there for a moment, not saying anything. Poppy cries for a few more minutes until her sobs slowly cease.
“Go ahead and say what you want to say.” Poppy’s voice is rough and thick with tears.
I take a deep breath before speaking. “I just want to know why.”
“Why?” she asks.
“Why would you marry—” I cut my words off before saying Florian’s name with disdain. Clearly Poppy has strong feelings for him. I clear my throat. “Why would you run off and get married?”
“How could you understand?” Poppy wipes at her nose with a tissue. “You don’t understand because you’re not promised to somebody.”
I want to snort at her response.
I may not be ‘promised’ to anybody, but that doesn’t mean I have any more choice than she does.
“You think I get a say in who I marry?” I ask, raising my voice slightly. “Why do you think the council has been meeting twice a week? It’s because they argue over who I’m going to marry one day.”
“At least you get to marry a fae.” Her voice sounds bitter. “I have to marry a monster.”
I don’t bother saying she’s wrong. I’ve met King Basilicus and even seen Prince Stellan in passing. The royal dragon shifters are actually pretty nice.
“I know you don’t get it.” She sighs, turning to face me. “But, Wisteria, I’m in love. Florian and Iloveone another.And someday you will see the love is worth risking everything for.”
“Love?” I snort. “You’ve dated Florian forthree weeks. That’s hardly enough time to fall in love with him.”
Poppy crosses her arms over her chest. “Of course, you wouldn’t get it. You’ll probably never truly fall in love.”
Her words make my chest ache, but only because she’s right.
I want love as much as the next person, but it’s not an option for me. I know better than to dream of ever finding love.
“Will you break Father’s compulsion?” Poppy asks.
I hesitate.
“Please. Not all of it. Just the compulsion where I have to stay in the castle?” She chews on her bottom lip as she watches me. Her eyes flicker between light blue—her natural color—and a vibrant blue. It’s the first happiness I’ve seen in her eyes all night.
I tuck a piece of hair behind my ear. “What do you want to do?”
“I promise I’m not going to run away,” she says, holding up both hands. “I just… I just have a few more weeks of freedom left. I want to be able to leave the castle.”
Fae can’t lie, so I know Poppy isn’t planning to run away.
Still, I’m not sure if I should break my father’s compulsion.
“Please, Wisteria.” Poppy grabs onto my arm. “I can’t stand being locked up in this castle. I’m not going to do anything stupid. I promise I won’t even try to see Florian. I just want freedom for a few more weeks.”
I nod, letting out a breath. “Fine.” I pour my magicinto my words. “You’re free to leave the castle as you please.”
“Thank you.” She throws her arms around me and squeezes me. “You have no idea how much this means to me.”
Maybe I should feel guilty for breaking the compulsion, but I couldn’t leave her to be miserable. Besides, she did promise. What harm could she really cause?
3
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