Although I suppose they'll have to greet everyone eventually, it's quite obvious that her parents are vying for the eligible bachelors first, more or less pushing Wyn forward to force them to notice her.

"It is my understanding they wish to see her wed before the end of the year."

"So soon?" I blink.

He purses his lips as he nods, and I get the impression there's more to that than meets the eye.

Ze takes me to the refreshment table, straight to the dessert section, and piles a plate full of chocolates for me before thrusting it into my face.

"Eat," he commands.

"Oh, thanks," I murmur, accepting it. Did I eat today? With everything that happened, I don't remember having much. And although chocolate doesn't qualify as food—technically—it is the one thing I can never refuse.

As I take a bite of the delectable truffle confections, I turn to look for Cer and Thea. After we came inside, they somehow disappeared.

"There." Ze points to the open doors that lead into the gardens. "They are there."

I don't get to question him for reading my mind without my approval as I note the tension between Cer and Thea. He grabs Thea by the shoulders, shaking her while telling her something. His jaw is clenched tight, his body tense as his fingers dig into her bare flesh.

"What's happening?" I whisper, worried. We've barely been here for a few minutes and they're already fighting?

"Something about a bet," Ze frowns.

"What about the bet?"

He licks his lips as he slides closer to me.

"You cannot proposition a male in the middle of the ballroom, Thea," Ze says in a somber voice, and it takes me a moment to realize he's repeating what Cer is saying. "This is cheating. The bet is off."

"I didn't see her proposition a male." I blink. If she did, damn, she works fast.

"You didn't say how, Cer. You're just salty you're losing," Ze continues, now changing his voice to a high-pitched one to emulate Thea.

Laughter bubbles in my throat at his acting, though even more amusing is the fact that Ze doesn't realize how funny he is.

"You know, sometimes Cer acts more like a jealous boyfriend than an overprotective brother," I add jokingly.

Ze narrows his eyes at me, silently glaring at me.

My smile dies on my lips.

"Cerenios should learn to ignore her folly. She is an inconsequential female in the grand scheme of things, and his affection for her will only bring about his downfall," Ze grits out.