So, Donnink’s heart simmered with envy over Tessa
Margaery’s lips curved into a way smile. “Well said, Lond Dominic, Tessa’s a rare pearl, a heavenly vision nothing like a wirtched creature like me.
“keep your distance, my lord, lest my shadow dims your honor,” she murmured, clutching her gemstone as she brushed
past.
“What’s that supposed to mean?” Dominic scowled, catching her arm, his eyes dark with irritation. “I meant you, not
Tessa!”
They’d been childhood sweethearts, bound by years of shared laughter, She once called him “Dear Dominic” with such
warmth
This stiff “Lord Dominic” stung, stirring an uneasy pang in his chest.
Was that what he meant? No–he meant the ninth prince would never want Margaery.
Only he was her true match.
Yet his words sailed past her.
She turned, slipping her arm free and stepping back with a cool gaze. “A gentleman minds his manners, Lord Dominic. -Pray, do the same.”
Dominic stared at his empty hand, his face clouding. Those were his words, once used to chide her.
They’d been close as children, hands brushing, arms linked, even stealing a rare embrace.
Before Tessa, he’d thought Margaery was his heart’s choice.
Then Tessa arrived, soft and delicate, stirring a protective ache with a single glance.
To him, Margaery, sharp and envious, no longer fit his dreams.
So he’d drawn back, rebuffing her with, “A lady keeps her distance, Lady Margaery. Show some propriety!”
Now, the tables had turned, and Margaery eyed him with weary disdain.
“You’d spur me? Dominic’s voice tightened as he followed her retreating figure. “We’re still betrothed, or have you forgotten?”
“I haven’t,” Margaery said, pausing to meet his gaze. “But we’re not wed yet, are we? You’ve taught me a lady guards her honor. I’ve listened.”
Her eyes lingered, a faint smile teasing her lips. “Are you not pleased?”
It sounded like a bid for praise, but it cut him like a blade. “Margaery Wallen!” he growled, her name sharp on his lips.
1/3
23:40/Wed 20 A00
Chapter
bilazed, the spoke cality. “I’ll ask the tutor at inkwell Academy if it’s proper for a man to dote so on his betrothed’s sister, embracing her heely
so, perhaps I’ll find another’s arms to match my future husband’s virtue”
“What–Dominic trembled, his lace flushed with rage. “I held Tessa because she’s frail! Must you be jealous of that?”
His voice boomed, but guilt flickered in his eyes, His moments with Tessa weren’t wholly innocent.
The secrets he shared with Tessa were not the kind to be aired in polite company.
How did Margaery turn so cold?‘ he wondered. ‘She used to cling to me, jealous and pleading, begging me to leave Tessa
for her
“What’s gotten into her to speak so sharply now?”
“Well, aren’t you a saint, Lord Dominic?” Margaery scoffed, her voice laced with disdain.
With a bitter laugh, she turned and swept away, leaving him behind.
In her old life, Dominic had already secretly pledged himself to Tessa by now.
He’d waited for the family banquet, where Margaery’s tears would give him cause–her lack of grace, her cruel heart–to break their betrothal with righteous case.
She still saw it clearly: ten days from now, at the Minister’s estate feast, Dominic had cast her aside before all, leaving her a mocked and abandoned fiancée.
Not this time. She’d outwit him. She’d make Dominic choke on his schemes.
Margaery gripped the warming gemstone and hurried into Gracewind Garden.
Dominic stood in the biting wind, glaring after her, his blood boiling.“Is she bewitched? Prating about ‘proper conduct‘? She, who used to trail me like a shadow!
“Now she dares scorn me? Has she lost her senses?”
in his
His anger smoldered, a quiet fire in his heart. ‘Yes, I favor Tessa now, but is that not because Margaery has turned so bitter, ever stirring trouble?
‘And if we are to part, should it not be by my will? Since when does Margaery hold the right to judge me?”
The thought burned, and then there was Dashnell, gifting her that jade for no reason.
It left a bitter taste, like biting into Sour sloes.
‘What makes her so special?‘ he fumed inside.
Avery caught up, breathless. “Dominic, why’d you rush off? I blinked, and you were gone!”
He glanced around. “Where’s Margaery?”
-231400 Wed No
Chapter 8
“Don’t mention hel” Dominic snapped, his temper flaring. “You wouldn’t believe how she snubbed me. If she’s not possessed. I don’t know what she is!”
He turned to Avery, fuming “She shrank from me, muttering about manner Her! Can you believe it?”
“That’s what she said?” Avery’s eyes widened. “Wasn’t she always chasing you?”
“Exactly!” Dominic cried, as if Avery had voiced his very soul. “And now she acts like I’m beneath her?”
Avery frowned, pondering. “She’s been odd lately–apologizing to Tessa, giving away our gifts, treating us so coldly. It’s
not her.”
He stepped beside Dominic, staring toward Gracewind Garden. “No one changes that fast. What if a spirit’s taken her?”
Avery’s face lit with resolve. “Here’s a plan, Dominic. Let’s visit the Hall of Divinity, borrow the High Priest’s walnut–wood sword, and test her tonight.
“If a dark spirit’s at work, the priest will know what to do.”
“Done,” Dominic agreed, nodding sharply.
He’d meant to see Tessa, but the thought had soured. And Dashnell’s gift gnawed at him. “What was Prince Dashnell thinking?” he muttered, irritation rising. “He shuns women. Why give her jade?”
The more he dwelled, the hotter his resentment burned. ‘A woman I discard should be scorned, fit only for a butcher’s hand.
‘But now Prince Dashnell favors her? It makes me look unworthy!”
The thought was a spark to kindling, setting his heart ablaze.
AD
Comment
Chapter 10
