“Why?” I asked.
She shrugged. “I thought Elm and I were going to... take our relationship to the next level last night. Then I threw up all over him, and that’s when we realized I had a fever.”
I gave my sister a sympathetic look. “That’s not your fault, and if Elm is half the gentleman you claim he is, then he’ll realize that as well.”
“Oh, he does. He’s been more than accommodating.” She tilted her head. “And so has Draven.”
I stiffened at the mention of him. “Is he here?” I asked, trying not to sound too interested in the answer.
“He was this morning. I don’t know if he still is,” Adelaide said. “He assured me that I can stay as long as I need.”
“That was nice of him.”
Adelaide gave me a pointed look. Outside, rain began to patter down. I’d need to leave soon before it began to storm.
“What were you doing in a closet with Draven last night?”
I rolled my eyes. “It was nothing. I’d had too much to drink, and we kissed.”
Adelaide crossed her arms. “That’s it? I thought you hated him.”
I leaned forward. “That’s because you haven’t been listening. I tried to tell you.”
“Excuse me if I didn’t believe you. I had good reason not to. Even Elm was shocked.”
“Look, it was just a one-time thing.” I picked at a loose thread on my shawl. “We were drunk and not thinking clearly.” I didn’t want my sister getting any ideas. Yes, I wanted her to believe Draven and I were getting along so she’d open herself up to Elm, but I didn’t want her thinking we were an item. That would never happen.
“So there’s nothing between you?” Adelaide said.
“No. But now you know we can be cordial,” I said. “There’s nothing standing in the way of you and Elm.”
A shy smile crossed Adelaide’s lips. “That’s good. Because I really like him, Elspeth. More than I’ve ever liked anyone.”
My heart swelled. I never thought this day would come.
“Do you think I should tell him about the curse?” Adelaide asked.
The color drained from my face, and my heart started pounding.
“Elspeth?” Adelaide’s voice seemed so far away, drowned out by my past. By Johanes and the sneer on his face when I admitted the truth to him. The way he’d immediately turned on me like he was a different person.
“Elspeth.” Adelaide laid a hand on my arm.
I jumped. “Yes?”
Shegave me a concerned look. “Are you okay? You’re not coming down with something, are you?”
I took a deep breath. I’d let my past affect my sisters so much already. Elm wasn’t Johanes, and Adelaide was the most sensible of us all.
“I think you should trust your gut,” I said. “Tell him when you’re ready.”
She sat back in bed, eyes drooping.
“You need rest.” I tucked the covers in at her side. “It seems like you’re in good hands, here.”
Adelaide began nodding off. I stood and kissed her head as lightning split the sky. It was going to be a long walk home.
Twenty-Seven
