ends of a twenty-person banquet table. It’s tradition to keep the new couple separated until they leave for the night. Kyra’s guests sit near Maz, and vice versa. This is so the families can drill their new member. Which makes sense, considering most of us are brought into families knowing little about them beyond what our intended has told us.
I study Kyra’s father and her grandfather, looking for any sort of resemblance to my family. I don’t see it.
Half-eaten steamed dumplings cover my plate and I push them around so that it looks like I’ve eaten more than I have. I don’t want to appear rude or ungrateful.
Kyra’s father stands and clinks the edge of his fork against his champagne flute. “It’s time to bid the new couple good night!”
The guests break into applause and rise to their feet. Even from this distance, I can see a hint of redness creeping across Kyra’s cheeks. No wonder. Everyone here knows what happens next. In the morning, they’ll both be surrounded in matching aura’s confirming the night’s events. But only Dark witches will be on hand as witnesses. The human world isn’t privy to our private matters.
I’m happy for Kyra and Maz. I really am. But Beck and I will never have this, and I want it so badly. The assembly. The celebration. And most importantly, the blessing of all involved.
And we could have had it all if we hadn’t been cursed. Couldn’t we?
My eyes flit across the room to where Ryker stands with Maz’s family and the jagged scars covering my heart bleed. This will be us next week. And then what? Will everyone applaud as we leave for the night? Will they give each other knowing glances and laugh at our nervousness? Will Ryker actually want to consummate the relationship? How far will our charade go?
Mother squeezes my shoulder as if comforting me. Or maybe she knows I’m trying to hold myself together and this is an attempt to fill me with a different emotion. Does it really matter anymore?
“They make a lovely couple, don’t they?” she says.
“Yes.”
Maz lifts an unusually shy Kyra into his arms and carries her toward an open door along the sidewall.
“I’d like you to formally introduce me to Ryker,” Mother says as we shuffle along behind Maz and Kyra. Calls of best wishes ring out around us. “It’s only proper.”
Mother has decided to announce our pending binding tonight, after Maz and Kyra depart. Which is now, I guess.
“I thought you’d already met,” I answer.
“Briefly.” She allows a hint of irritation to cross her face. “Annalise has been our primary family representative.”
I sigh. Of course Annalise has been reporting back to Mother on Ryker and me. That’s what she does: spy on me.
Mother holds her hand out. “Shall we?”
I take a few shaky steps in the general direction of Ryker. He’s standing with a group of boys I don’t recognize, but all of them have to be Dark witches. Mother refused Kyra’s request to include our human housemates.
“Don’t be nervous, Love. I won’t bite,” Mother teases. Ryker notices us and breaks away from the group. He stops a respectable distance away from us and waits for Mother to invite him closer.
“You may approach.” She’s switched into her distant and authoritative Vice Head of State role.
Ryker strides confidently forward, and without waiting for Mother’s permission, pecks her on both cheeks. “Malin,” he says.
My mouth drops open at his informality. But Mother acts unsurprised. She smiles politely and moves so that Ryker and I have to stand closer together. “Annalise has already met with your parents and they’ve worked out the details of your binding.”
“I’m fortunate to be welcomed into your esteemed family.” I try not to laugh at the formal words coming from Ryker. This is the guy who likes to scale buildings for fun and has a difficult time remembering to tuck in his shirt. Like now. The tails stick out from the bottom of his dinner jacket. He didn’t even bother to tidy up before meeting Mother.
“We’re fortunate you accepted. Especially under such unusual circumstances.” Mother lifts her chin and waves to someone across the room. “Forgive me, but I must speak with Minister Sun-Wei. It’s nearly time to make our big announcement.”
She spins abruptly, leaving Ryker and I standing together, staring at each other awkwardly.
“Well, that was fun,” he says.
“Mother may be many things, but fun is not one of them. You should remember that.” I watch Mother and Minister Sun-Wei. Despite her calm