Chapter 2

I walked out into the yard. The moon hadn't yet risen.

Only the stars, cold and scattered across the sky.

"Elena."

Jason came out after me, half a cigarette pinched between his fingers.

"You hardly ate. Are you mad?"

"Yeah," I said, nodding.

He gave a small laugh and stubbed out the cigarette.

"Don't sulk. Blame the town's old traditions. It was chaos back there—three bouquets falling at once, who could tell?"

"Didn't I say already? Town business stays in town. Once we're back in D.C.—"

"Jason." I cut him off.

He paused.

I looked up, meeting his eyes.

"From the beginning, I said I didn't want to take part in this Blossom Rite."

It was the town's marriage tradition, meant to symbolize the goddess Flora choosing a husband for a woman.

Wherever the flowers fell, that was the match.

The town had believed in it for centuries. I respected that.

I hadn't wanted to take part because I felt I'd already chosen the man I would marry, and I didn't want to disrespect Flora's will.

But he'd asked my brother to put my name on the list.

By the time I found out, it was too late to withdraw.

Back then, I had no idea Chloe had signed up too.

He was silent a moment. "It's already happened. What's the point of bringing it up now?"

"Right. There's no point. Because you never listen."

Jason's brow furrowed, his mouth pressing thin.

That expression—I'd been watching it for eight years. Impatient, but held in check.

He knew he was in the wrong. He just didn't think being wrong required him to bow his head.

"Elena, what's the point of digging up old grievances now? The bouquet toss was an accident. There was nothing I could do. If it really bothers you, I'll have someone speak to the mayor tomorrow, make it a formality, spare you the embarrassment. All right?"

I looked at him. "A formality?"

"My father said at dinner she can't break the engagement, can't be crossed off the Registry. What kind of formality did you have in mind?"

Jason pinched the bridge of his nose. "Elena, be reasonable—"

"Reasonable?" I laughed once. "Jason, when I try to reason with my father, he calls it talking back. When I reason with my brother, he says I'm petty. I thought it would be different with you. Turns out you find me reasoning with you a nuisance too?"

His mouth opened.

"I didn't—"

"You didn't listen to me," I said. "You just figured that in the end, I'd give in anyway."

Just like my father figured I'd shut up in the end.

Like my brother figured I'd let it slide in the end.

"Elena…"

His voice softened. He reached out a hand.

I stepped back and turned into the dark.

Behind me, he took two steps, then stopped.

Someone must have called out to him.

Maybe Chloe, asking softly, "Jason, is something wrong?"

Maybe someone inside calling him back to discuss the wedding.

Either way, he didn't come after me.

Three years ago, when he'd proposed, his eyes had been shining.

Now that light had gone somewhere I couldn't find.