I glance up from the book I’m pretending to read. No matter how long I stare at the words, none of them register. I might as well be staring at an ancient text written in a foreign language. “Town is closed on Wednesdays.”

It’s funny that she would forget a rule only a few weeks ago she’d been so adamant to keep.

She pushes herself upright, dropping her feet from where they were propped on the coffee table next to a tray of uneaten biscuits. Normally, I love shortbread, but ever since Everett told me the awful news, food doesn’t taste the same. Which is a travesty considering how much I used to enjoy sweets.

“You know what I mean.” She shoots a glance over her shoulder toward the empty hallway before scooting so close, our knees knock together. “The guards don’t patrol the streets during the day, so I thought perhaps we could go to the well.”

Why would she suggest such a thing when she knows I’m barely holding myself together as it is? “I don’t want to go to the well.”

It’s a damn lie and we both know it. I want to see Everett so badly my soul aches, but there is no point torturing myself.

“Come on, Kerris. No one has to know.”

I’ll know.

Besides, I made a promise that my dealings with the Unseelie were through. If I go back on my word, they’ll ship me right back to Gravale as husbandless as I arrived. When I leave, I want it to be my decision, not because I was kicked out by my own family.

“I don’t want to go to town,” I insist, flipping to the next page and staring down at the text.

I expect a lecture or some sort of bargain. Instead, Nia nods and rolls off the couch, leaving me alone with a book I have no desire to read and memories of a man I’ll never see again.

* * *

Thursday arrives on a breeze and leaves on a gale.

Friday is still as death, as if someone has put an invisible lid on the world.

This morning, a letter from my brother arrived, saying that he would love a visit from his favorite sister. As I trace his handwriting scrawled across the parchment, my chest pinches at the thought of seeing him again.

I’ll stay with Theo for a month, maybe two, and try my hand at finding a husband there. Perhaps he has a friend who might consider a match with me.

Now to find a way to tell Nia.

Speaking of Nia… Where is she? I haven’t seen her since breakfast. Probably because I came back to my room to wallow.

As if I called her name, Nia bursts through my door, her cheeks flushed and curly hair wild. “Do you still want to find a husband?” she blurts.