Ismileasmyethicsprofessorvehementlyargueshispoint,citingexamplesofbloodthirstybeastswhochosetorise above what nature dictated for them. Good little vampires feedingonvolunteers, darkwitches savinglives, and even fairies breakingbargains to protecttheir loved ones. Incontrast, he cites perfectlycommon, regular people raised inloving homes,onlytoturnintomindlesskillers,liars,andcheats Nurturesupplantingnature
He'd find it amusingthat I take ethics inthe first place, but it's a mandatorycourse for all those studyingsciences and technology. The Five Kingdoms’Superior University is trying their best to ensure we don't create anything too monstrous ourselves
Mymother'scountenanceislegendaryandmyyoungestsistertookafterher Theirravenhairgleamsblueinthelight,and their grayeyes shine like stars,eveninthe darkness.Menhave offeredjewels andpriceless treasures for nothingmore than theirsmiles.
Theprinceorderedmetobowondayone.Ikeptwalking.Iwaswithinmyrightstodosoforvariousreasons,allofwhich Iwishto keep to myself His minuscule frontal lobe doesn’tunderstand how a girl suchas me would dare to disregard his words,andhetookitasaninvitationto“showmemyplace.”Thefactthatwestartedatthesametimethreeyearsagomeans thatwesharemanyclassesandassemblies He’softeninmyway
Thistime,Itenseandbristle.Ieasilyidentifythisvoicetoo,thoughI’vehearditlessoften,andseldomaddressingme. “Hello, little dove,” werehisfirstwordstome,threeyearsago,justminutesafterAerondemandedIbendthekneetohim Iignoredthewayitmademeshiver,hisvoiceshootingstraighttomynipples.
Adove, me Asmall,harmless,uselessbirdrepresentingpeaceandlove How ridiculous thatis Buthe’s goteveryrightto be as ridiculous as he’d like. He’s another prince, one far fromharmless, and witha sharper tongue.
ThefirsttimeIsawher,Istaredhard.Notthatthere’sanythingparticularlyremarkableaboutanyofherphysicalfeatures;a pointed nose, a square chinthat would have looked almost masculine if not for those highcheekbones, lashes so longthey belong on a horse, and a shiny brown mane braided down her back, catching reddish highlights in the sun, she’s the quintessential Dorathian woman. Cute enough, but not worth a second glance in a crowd of beautiful noble women whose imperfections were long erased, either by genetics or spells Still, she’s highly fuckable I’ve found myself imagining her pulpous moutharound mycockand her darkeyes setonme a time or two while screwingsomeone else, over the lastfew years But,uncharacteristicallyforme,what’sbetweenherlegsreallyisn’tthesourceofmyfascination
Myabilityto sense the powers around me is innate;I’ve never needed to cultivate it, butIcould distinguishauras, and knowwhetherthefootstepsapproachingbelongedtomynurse,mymother,myguards,ormybrotherbeforeIcouldspeak.Most demisoughttobeabletodothesame Isupposethey’resobusytryingtosensewho’sthemostpowerfulpersonintheroom,no onebotherstonoticethattheprettylittledovefeelslike nothing.
Thatcanmeanoneoftwothings She’s either foundawaytoconstantlyconceal her aura,or shesimplydoesn’tpossess one. Either way, she’s a freakofnature. Somethingstranger thananythinghere. Stranger thanthe terrifyingwitchmyfriend Reiksiscourting,strangerthanme, althoughIdon’tquitebelonginthisworld
I called her a dove inmymind fromthe start and I still do, whenI don’t thinkof her as a freak She’s so small, only reachingmychest,thoughherbootsaddacoupleofinchestoherheight.Isshepartpixie?No,apixie’spresenceissmall,but itexists.
Thenicknameprovedaccurate Ilaterdiscoveredshehasahabitofclimbinghigh,tothetopoftheroofoftheoldcastle now housingthedorms,withoutacarethatafallmightbreakherneck.Bynow,ifshematerializedapairofwingsandflew away,Iwouldn’tbesurprised
Whatdoesshewant,thisdaintyfreakofmine?Whatisshedoinghere,ifnottryingtobetterherlifebymakingconnections above her station, like anyof the students who aren’t at the top of the world already? I thought she might not care for me becauseherconcernwasDorath,butshetreatsAeronwithmorecallousdetachmentthanshedoesme,ifpossible
Idon’tunderstandheratall,andshe’sawonderfuldistractionfrommymanyplights,soIkeepwatchingfromadistance, seekingher outinstudyhalls, libraryalcoves, incorridors. AtleastI’mnotcreepingaboutsmellingher panties behind her back. Yet. What’s her smell like, Iwonder? Idon’tthinkI’ve ever checked fromup close. Ata distance, Isense something floral.
I can’t recall how many nights I’ve spent researching what manner of creature this dove could be Someone with no presence,noobviousambition,noregardforrank,andnow,nosweat.Imightaswellbesearchingforacorpse,oraghost.
The air’s not spelled in the ethics classroom, and whatever machine they employ to keep it pleasant must be broken, becauseit’sasstuffyandunbearableasoutside.
Ofcourse,Ialwayswanttocauseherpain,hencewhyIstayaway,curiousthoughIam. For amoment,IwishZalewereheretocool itwithawaveofhis hand Butthen,Zalewouldbehere,attemptingtoget under myskinfor fun. IthinkIprefer dealingwiththe heat thanwiththe kingofRavelyn. We’re friends ofa sort, but that doesn’tpreventusfromdoingourbesttodriveeachotherinsane
Iwouldn’t mind gettingDaria to teachme that specific trickofhers. Icanspell myskinto ensure whatever moisture I secretesmellspleasant,anduseplentyofdeodorant,butDaria’sskinhasnoshine,appearingcompletelycoolinthesweltering heat
What are you, little dove?
The class is dismissed Ileave withAeronand his flock, thoughI’d muchrather linger and watchDaria do her bestto avoidus.It’snotjustthatIdon’tknowwhatmannerofcreaturesheis.Ialsodon’t get hermotivation,hergoals.Iwanttotake aglimpsebeyondthedarkeyes,rightintohermind
ButIkeepmydistances,asalways.
Daria Stone is far better off without me. For one, I’ve never beenclose to anyone without hurtingtheminone wayor another Causingpainismynature Butmoreworryingly,ifanyoneknewhowobsessedIamwiththisgirl,they’dmistakemy fascinationfortenderness,andseeherasaweaknesstheycouldexploittogettome.
Andthen,they’dkillher
Deals and Bargains. Daria
I
nmydream,Iamcoveredinblood,andIsmile.Itcouldbeafantasyor amemory,Idon’tknow.Itrynottodwell onthe meanings of dreams Most don’t reveal anything of importance, and those that do, I’mhappy to ignore I’ve had enough premonitionstolastmealifetime.
I have always been insatiable, for knowledge, for power, for entertainment, for more. One of my many flaws, and the reasonwhyFiveistheperfectplacetohideforsomeonelikeme
I’d noticed Blythe Ostra’s gayas theycome. Iexpected her to convenientlydisappear inthe near future, so he wouldn’t have to marryher. I was bored and intrigued enoughto checkout the crime scene, and to follow the trail of breadcrumbs leadingtoBlythe’struefate
He's right. Ifhe had beena target ofthe assassin's guild, his name would have beencarved under his ancestors' onhis country’smemorialwalls Whoeverconductedthehitonhimwasinept "Ineedtofindawaytocontactyourguild,"hetellsme."Notthroughtheusualchannels.Ineedtospeaktosomeonehigh up ashighaspossiblerightaway"
I've been acquainted with Natheran Reiks the Seventh for three years He found me playing violin in the streets of Magnapolis justto have somethingto do. Idon’tknow whatclued himinas to whatIam, buthe stopped inhis tracks and approachedme
“AWicked from the Shadow Guild, here?”Hetiltedhishead. “I do hope you ’ ve not been sent for me. ” “I’m not with the guild,” Igrumbled,toostunnedtothinktolie. Comingclosetothelikesofmewithoutbeingcertainofmypurposewaseither foolishor extremelybrave.Ihaven’tyet decidedwherehestands.
ReiksofferedmewhatIneverthoughttowishfor:aplacehere,intheprestigiousFiveKingdoms’SuperiorUniversity In exchange,heaskedonlyforonefavorhewouldn'tnamethen.
Iamsorarelysurprised,orpleased.Mylaughisunfamiliar,rough,andhurtsmyvocalchords."Alis,"Irepeat. Alice isa commonenoughname,buthesaysitendingthesoundwithaclearsnake-likehiss Ae-lyz "AlisFrejr?" Theprincenodsagain.
He watches me strangely, like he's never seenme smile, and he probablyhasn't. Icancountonone hand the number of peoplewhohaveinthelastyears,andhaveatleasttwofingersleftover IfIwereoffaeblood,Iwouldhavelethimwastehisfavor,butfairisfair. "Shehasnothingtofearfrommeortheguild,"Itellhim Alisismyfriend.Myonefriendhere.Thatmakeshertheonepersonwho'llneverbehurtbyaWicked,solongasIlive. Andaccordingtosome,Iwillliveuntiltheendoftime
The Pawn and the Puppet. Rovan
The reasonIpaymore attentionto auras thansome is sheer survival instinct. Sensingthose around me is the reasonmy neckisstilluponmyshoulders I’vebeendodgingclosecallswithdeathsinceageseven,stayingonestepaheadthanks, atfirst,tothatoneability.Later,Iaddedotherweaponstomyarsenal.
I don’t bother to retrieve the dagger under mypillow before I dragmyself out of bed and openmyowndoor, wearing nothingbutbreechesandmybelt,withitsassortmentofflasksfilledwithvenoms,spells,andpoisons.Ifhewantedtoseeme dressed,heshouldhavecomeaftersixinthemorning.
Itmightseema little dramatic to call one’s ownmother anenemy, butshe has tried to murder me countless times, so it seemsfittingenough.
Objectively,Iunderstand Iamdangerous
MytwinbrotherandIwerebornelevenminutesapartandonlyoneofuscouldbetheheirtothethroneofFlaur.Halfofthe kingdombelievesthesecondtwinissupposedtorule,accordingtoanoldlaw,andtheotherhalffavorstheelderchild From myveryfirstbreath,I’vedividedthekingdom.
Mymother never approved of the existence of her second born, but she onlystarted sendingassassins after we started school.IsupposeIoughttobegratefultohavehadsevenyearsofsafety.FewthreatstoAudeBriarcanboastasmuchinthe GoldenMountains.
The attacks ceased three years ago. I rage everytime I remember why, the darkness inmyblood risingto the surface, makingmewanttolashout.
Theenvoyclearshisthroat,bows,andhandsmeanenvelope,sealedwiththeBriarsigil:flowersunderableedingheart Iknow better thanto touchthe paper withmybare hands. Who knows whatitcould be laced with. Aspell to make me compliant,adraughtofeversleep,alovepotiontomakemefallmadlyforChiaraMallone,theharpymymotherwouldhave mewed.“Leaveit.”
The wound appears well healed, and he certainly can move around on it, but it would have been serious for him to exchangehisarmorinfavorforcourtattire.Isuspecthemusthavereceiveditoverahundredyearsago.
Then that night, they came at me with a new sort of poison, acid gas something I hadn’t fortified myself against yet. Somethingthatsucceededineatingmyflesh.
Itwasmybrotherwhodraggedmeoutofthetrap,atthecostofhiseyes Andsincehe’snowblind,thequeenwants me on thethrone.He’sbecomeunsuitable,thereject,theonetoberidof.Orrather,hewouldbe,ifIwasplayinghergame.
Theenvoyhasthesensetophysicallyrecoil,takingtwostepsbackandholdinghishandsup “No,no,Imerelymeantyour intellect, myprince. Amanable to sense the purpose ofanyone approachinghimwould make for a powerful kingindeed. I misspoke.”
“Butsir,thecourtiscomingtoMagnapolisinordertocelebrateyourbirthday” Igroan.Ofcourse,she’ddragthemhere,sinceshecan’tgetmetocomebackhome.Notthatit’llchangeanything.Ihaveno intentionofplayingtheroleofhershowpony.Ihavenointentionoftakinghercrowneither.Iturnedmybackonitalongtime ago
Onlythisis my placeofchoice,closetoeverybookIneedtocheckformymicrophysics,chemistry,andastrologyclasses, andrightbelowtheoilportraitofapoutingoldladywithasmilefullofsecrets,andnearthefire
Thelibrary’scoolyear-roundtoprotectthebooks someareancientandfragile sotheheatisessentialtome. Iclaimedthisshabbyredarmchairyearsago I’dhatetoretreatbecauseofagaggleofspoiledbrats Besides,Iwashere first. Theychose their seats apurpose. IfIdo relocate, they’ll likelyfollow. Worse yet, theymighttake mydesire to be left aloneforcowardiceandpounce,aspredatorsarewonttowhentheysenseaweakness.
Here, it’s perfectlyacceptable to leave the books out onthe tables infact, it’s encouraged, as the librarians prefer to ensurethey’reshelvedcorrectly butItakemystashwithme.Iknowexactlywherethey’resupposedtogo.
I knew, to mycore, that I needed to find another kingdom, another purpose. I have a highlylogical brain, and sciences appealtomyinquisitivenature.IfeelbetternowthanIdidtheyearortwobeforeIlefttheguild.Icouldmakeaplacehere.I havetotry
I remember showing him the trick to balancing himself on a rope. All right, I mostly chased him with two knives, threateningtostabhimifhedidn’tmakeittotheotherside,butitworked
Well, that’s incorrect There’s plentyofmoneyinmyguild account Iwas housed, mysisters used to give me their old clothes Tamiraatfirst,butSamaraalsogrewtallerthanmeinherteens,andshelovednothingmorethanaccumulatingnew frocks,soIgothand-me-downsfromhertoo TherewasanimpressivelibraryintheHouseofShadow,andmanymagnificent treasurestolookatintheHouseofCoin.
I’vewellandtrulydisappeared,usingeverytoolatmydisposaltoensureshewouldn’tfindme TheonlythingIkeptismy first name. It’s commonenough. I can’t afford that kind of mistake, unless I’mreadyto layanother dozenfalse trails after makingawithdrawal preferablytoanothercountry That’stoomuchworktogothroughthetroubleunlessmyneedisdire Icould askReiks to frontme the cash. He would, too, buthe’d have a price. And Iowe thatcalculatingprince enough already.
He thinks he has me cornered;Isuppose he does Whathe doesn’trealize is thatthis pathdoesn’tlead to his victory It leadstoapenjabbedintohisthroat.
“Don’tgetintomypersonalspace”It’sawarning I’monedgetoday,andheshouldn’tpushme Obviously, he doesn’t consider me anything worthy of concern, so he sneers. “I can get into wherever I’d like. I am your prince ”
Itwouldhavebeenhardto,withthewrongname,thewrongage,thewrongbirthdateandlocation.Idon’teventhinkmy fileintheschoolsystemhasanaccurate height forme I’mfivefootnothing,butItoldthemfivefootonewhentheyasked No onequestionedit.
Thefactthatthatboyisgoingtobeourposterchildissad.Lokenwouldhavemadea much bettermonarch. Thankfully,Aeron’llneverhavetomakeoneimportantdecisioninhislife.
The eighth, he came witha vial ofelixir, accompanied bythe recipe somethingIwouldn’thave beengivenaccess to. Thatshitcancuremostvenomsandpoisons Iwasin,forbetterorworse Reiks is theuncontestedleader,for thesimplereasonthatnooneelsewants tobe.Withouthim,we’dall driftapart.He decided we should letthe new heir to the Dorathianthrone inour group, so, we did, butI’mnotfond ofthe kid. Nor does Reiks,really IthinktheonlypersonwhocanstandthatidiotisSelina,butshe’sfemaleandhereportedlyhasabigdick,soI don’ttakeherjudgmentintoaccountonthatsubject.
And there’s the fact that Aeronloves nothingmore thanto stalkmyfavorite freak I suppose we have that incommon, thoughforvastlydifferentreasons.
I’mintrigued bywhatmakes her different,fascinated byeverythingother people fail to see Iwantto know whatshe is, whatmakeshertick.Hejustwantstogethisdickwet.
IamalmostcertainI’llfindhiminDaria’sgeneralvicinitywhenIwalkintothelibrarytoworkonmythesis.She’salmost always in here after her classes, until they close at one in the morning either working on her papers or assisting the librarian.WhatIdon’texpecttofindisthem talking.That’srareenough.Heinsultsheroccasionally,butsheusuallyignores him
“Whatdidyoujustsaytome?”hesnarls,withadegreeofireI’veneversensedfromhimbefore She doesn’t usuallyrespond to his taunts at all, but clearlyhe must have gottenonher nerves today. I curse myselffor missinganythingoutoftheordinary
“I pointed out the fact that I am here, in Magnapolis which every person on Xhera can claim for their own. It’s an international city Ergo, I’mnotstealinganyDorathian’s work Notthatimmigratingequates to theft Ifanyone wants to employsomeone,it’stheirbusinessandnooneelse’s.”
“Unfortunately,one doesn’tpreclude the other.The world would be a better place ifmonarchs could lose their titles for beingamoron,butIdon’tthinkthatreformwouldbeverypopular.”
“Thepersonwho’sgoingtocrushyourballssofuckinghardifyoudon’tstep out of my space right now. ” Myheartskipsabeat.Thatvoice.That…power. Isenseher Iseeher Fortheveryfirsttimeinthreeyears,IcanfeelDariaStone Herpresenceandauraarepotent.Burninghot.It’scompletely,utterlyunlikeeverythingelse,everyoneelse. InAeron’sshoes,I’dstepback I’dwalkaway Iwouldn’tevenbeashamedtorun Thenagain,I’mitchingtoinchforward,tosee,totouch,and taste thatbrand-newpower,somaybeIwouldn’thaveobeyed either.Myneedtoseemoreofhersurpassesmysenseofself-protection.
EvenIknowthat’stoofar Heshouldn’ttouchher Hecertainlyshouldn’tthreatenher She’snothistoharm Shedoesn’twanttobetouchedbyhim.She’llreact.Andifshedoesn’t, I will. Iwilleitherway.He’sputhishandonmybird,andthat’snotacceptable.Ifsomeonehastotouchher,it’lldamnwellbe me
Not anydemi, despite the blood ofgods runningthroughour veins Not anyfolk, althoughwe are made ofpure magic, derivedfromnatureitself.It’stoosmooth,fast,preciseandbrutal.Mycockishardassteel,pushingagainstmypants.Daria has the full weightofmyattentionsetonher She always does ButIcouldn’tlookawaynow ifa horde ofwyverns came chargingatus.
“Imadeyouapromise, my prince ”Hervoice,usuallysotoneless,singsalittle,almostseductive She’sblossomedintoa cruel,deadlyrose.“NeverforgetthatIalwayskeepmyword.”
Theobvioussolution slicingtheirthroatsandgettingridoftheevidence wouldbetooproblematic,givenwhotheyare Two princes, one ofthemdestined for a crown. I’d destabilize the continentjustto delaythe inevitable. Inevitable, because uponhearingofthe crime,mymother wouldconclude Iwas likelybehindthe hit Killingprinces is one thing Gettingaway withit?Quiteanother.
I’mgoingtohavetomove Findsomewhereelse It’sfrustratingwhenI’mjustoneyearawayfromadegreehere,butifI remain, Ma is goingto trackme and dragmyass backto Rhunar, no matter whatIhave to sayaboutit. And she’ll have me observed to ensure I won’t leave again. LadyRyzanisn’t bigonfree will whenit interferes withwhat she thinks is right. Whichisoneofthemanyreasonswhyshe’sanexcellentleader Istill inmysmall, comfortable room. As Istayhere year-round, takingsome courses inthe summer inmyendless war againstboredom,Imadeitmine,thoughit’sjustadorm Mycanopybedhasredsilkcurtainsandplush,velvetycushionsthat makemethinkofhome.
I’m not comfortable now. A shift in the power in my surroundings alerts me of an intrusion I wouldn’t have thought possible.
“Neattrick.”
Ican’tcomprehendwhatIfeel,whatIhear,orwhatIseewhenIspinonmyheel Ivanishedfromthelibrary,inthemainfacultybuilding,andreappearedhereintheatticofthedormslessthanfiveminutes ago Atajog,it’sagoodfifteenminutesaway Andmoreimportantly,mydoorwas is shut Ihaven’theardoffeltanyone
“I relate But why the fake name? You could have enrolled as a Wicked You’d have had a much easier time at Five Everyone would be kissing your ass.” In the seconds I take to consider my answer, he somehow unravels the truth. “Holy shade,you’rearunaway”
“Because he’s a little dick metaphorically I haven’t checked the physical counterpart and he would have taken his insecurityoutonyou.Nowyouowemeone,”hestatessimply.
I’msimplybaffled,andmistrustful Hecan’tmeanthat I’mjustapawnhe’sstowinginhispocketforlateruse Whatever weagreetonow,hestillknowswhoIam.Hecouldblackmailmelater. He can try
I lick my lower lip, weighing my words, my thoughts. I don’t miss how his gaze zeroes in on the tip of my tongue. Somehow,hislookunsettlesme.
Suddenlyunable to bear the silence, I talk. “I was bornwiththe shadows. We all are, inmyfamily.” I don’t thinkit’s commonknowledge,likemostthingsabouttheWickedline.Peopledon’tevenknowourtruename Wickedisjustwhatwe letoutsiderscallus Then,IrememberRovan’spartfae “Doyoupromise youwon’ttellanyone?”
I can’t sense a trick, so I explain. “The shadows are like an external entity, but also part of us. I’mentirely human common butforthem.Theyhelpmeout,likeafriendalwaystheretohaveyour back.Intime,welearntoaskfor theright things togetaway,todisappearinthedarkness”
Fromhim,I’lltakeitasacompliment Hescaresmeinequalmeasure He finishes his apple inthree bites and gets to his feet. Ifeel mystomachdrop whenIrealize he means to leave now. I don’twantthatyet
The moment his fingers brushme, the world as I know it disappears. Not onlybecause his touchcomes witha jolt of power,buzzingthroughmyentirebody,shootingtendrilsofelectricvibrationinsideme
The roomwas mysimple, familiar space moments ago, and now, it’s filled withcolors whirlingaround, and vines, and flowers I focus onone of the movingblue balls flashingabout, and see a tinylittle creature withdiaphanous wings, from whichadulllightemanates.
Heseemssomewhattaller,withbroader shouldersandthinner everythingelse Hisskinisfar paler,andhiseyes those paleeyes holdapowerIcan’tescape.Iwouldkeepstaringintothemforeverifhewilledit.Uponhisdark,shininghairrests a simple silver crown a circletpointingdownto his nose. He’s no mere second princelinghere inthis strange world I’m glimpsing
He grins “Justa little taste ofIlvaris the fairyworld beyond the veil It’s worlds away, far inthe stars, butthere are enoughportalsleadingthereonXhera.Hencetheexistenceoffaedescendantshere.”
“Ihavewildblood,Daria.Alotmoreofitthananyoneherenowadays.WhereverIam,there’salinktotheotherworld.” I nod like that makes sense Like he hasn’t ripped apart my world by giving me this glance into something else, somethingmore.
SomethingIwanttoseeagain
I don’t tell himanyof that. If he realized right now how muchI want, how muchI crave another taste, he could use it againstme Ican’tgivehimthatkindofpoweroverme
The most common is that they run away, spend the rest of their lives plagued with nightmares The other is as intense,butinsteadofhorrors,they’rehauntedbydreamsofwonders.
She’sgivenmeinformationabouttheWickedthatI’veneverheardorreadbefore.Iowedher,andwefolkdon’tdowell withunpaiddebts Ifallshewantedwastoknowmytricks,Iwasobligatedtocomply Iwasn’tsurewhereshe’dstand,hencewhyIwasreluctanttoanswer her question,butpartofmewantedtolether step intomyworld
Still spottingherframeinthedistance,Idipmychininfarewell asitdropsmeinthecourtyard.Ishovemyhandsinmy pocketsandreturntomydorm inthetowerofmagicsacrossthegrounds.
In hindsight, I should have guessed as much from the get-go, but who would think hardened, bloodthirsty or shadowthirsty? assassinwhenlookingatthatslipofagirl?Noone,whichisprobablyafactorsheusestoheradvantage.
I make myself stop thinking of the pretty little dove, focusing on my twin. I haven’t seen himin three seasons, as I’ve escapedthedutyofreturningtoFlaur,happytoplaythetravelingambassadorinanyothercountryduringmybreaksratherthan facingtheGoldenMountain.
Idon’taskwhatSylvan’sdoing,thumbingabookhecan’tread.Herelishesthefeelingoftherough,heavypages,thescent offreshlystamped ink, the leatherybinding. Iknow he does, because Iwould inhis shoes. There’s more to books thanthe wordswrittenontheirpages.Theartistrystartswithout.
ShemighthavestartedsendinghitsonSylvan,buthe’salwaysbeenhergoldenchild,herfavorite.Imightmakemoresense asanheirtohersingle-trackmind,butshedoesn’tintendtoharmthechildsheactuallywanted Besides,I’vetakenprecautions toensureshecannottouchasingleoneoftheannoyinglywell-brushedhairsonhishead.Ifhedies,sheloses both heirs.
Aude Briar lived three hundred years without being able to conceive, though she started trying in her second decade, fuckingherwaythroughhercourt.
Shehadlittleinthewayoffamily,andFlaurhassevenroyallinesdescendedfromitsprolificfoundingfather,theyewking Odrin The Briar line has ruled for the last nine hundred years, but Aude, the eldest, killed her siblings intheir infancyto ensureshe’dtakethethroneuponherfather’sdeath.So,shehadnoheirsbyblood aweaknessanyoftheotherfamiliescould have exploited to undermine her authority After all, why invest in the will of a queen, when her legacy is so fragile, uncertain?Uponherdeath,theotherfamilieswouldhavestartedwarringtodeterminewho’dsitonthethronenext.
Forthreecenturies,shestruggledtogetpregnant,butsheonlygotherwishaftermakingadealwiththefolkofIlvaris For thesamereasonshemurderedherownfleshandbloodinheryouth,shewantedonechild,nottwo.Yethereweare.
“She isn’t,” I admit to my brother. “But the Thorns and the Eldars, the Palmers and the Blossoms, the Rivers and the Florins,areanothermatteraltogether”
“Don’tforgettheMallones,”mybrotherhappilyadds.
Iwrinkle mynose The Mallones aren’ttechnicallya royal line, buttheymixed blood withthe Rivers and are twice as devious.“Theydon’twantmedead,theywantmemarriedtotheirviperofadaughter.”
“Ican’tdecidewhichwouldbeworse”
I’mnotworried,andnorismybrother.WhileprincesofFlaur,noneofthosefamilieshavetheresourcesnecessarytotake outanefficienthitonme.Ifmymother,theirqueen,couldn’tmurderme,there’slittlechancethatthey’dmanageto.Itwouldbe another storyifthe assassin’s guild gotinvolved, butas they’ve never tried to kill me, Ihave to conclude thatifmymother contactedthemtotakecareofme whichislikely theassignmentwasrejected.Iftheydidn’tacceptthebountyofaqueen, theywon’tdoitforherlesserhighborns
I never could quite decipher Sylvan’s expressions, even before his eyes glazed over. Now, he’d have an easier time readingthatbookthanIwouldtryingtoseewhathe’sthinking.Imighthavetakenmuchfromourfather,butSylvancertainly
Ishouldhavethoughtofitmyself Inthelastthreeyearssincehe’slosthissight,Sylvanhasbeennavigatingthesharksin the Golden Mountain. I mostly remained here in Magnapolis, buried under my research, but he’s still the crown prince of Flaur
IfI’mhonest,IknewI’dcavethemomentIsawhim,littleasImightliketospendanylengthoftimeinthecompanyofour mother, and the royal families, and the nobles pitting us against each other Not to mention, Chira Mallone, the viper endeavoringtolatchherselfontome.“Alotofwine.”
We metatthe library, where she decided to volunteer rather thanworkfor money, like me. Her family’s as richas most kingsandqueensonthecontinent,soshedoesn’tneedthecash Webondedoverourgeneralunpopularity,thoughAliscouldbe worshippedifshesowished.Shehasmoney,power,andtherightname,butshechoosesnottouseanyofit.
Isupposewealsohavethatincommon.Ihavemyreasons,andshe’ssmartenoughthatI’msureshehashers.I could ask herwhyshelikestohide,butIlikeourrelationshipjustasitis:warm,butstayingonthesurface,neverdiggingdeeper Plus,it comeswithcoffee.Shebringsmesomewhenevershethinkswe’relikelytomeet.
Running,class,library,bumpingintoAlis,climbingatoptheroof,runningagain.Indeed,nothingmuchhaschangedinmy life
Andyeteverythingseemsdifferent.Inolonger feel weigheddownbythemonotony,bythefactthatIseemtoberunning awayfrommypastmorethantowardsomething.IthasmorethanalittletodowithRovan,andtheworldheshowedmewitha singletouch Iwanttoseeitagain Ineedmore Itwasathingofwonderandmagics,callingtomyshadows,tomyheart InowresearchIlvarisinallofmysparetime.IknowthereareseveralportalshereonXhera,hencewhysomanyofusare descendedfromthefolk Mostwereshutduringthefaewar,andthosewhichremainareguarded,toensureonlyfriendlyfolk canpasstoourworld,buttheyexist.Icouldtakeone,someday.I’mnotstupidenoughtothinkaboutpackingupandleaving tomorrow, unprepared. Ilvaris is a savage land, entirely populated by monsters. There are no, or precious little, commonbloodedmortalsinthelandofthefolk.
Iwaitedandwaitedforthepanictorise,formyselftoneedabreath.Thenwhenthewaitgrewboring,Itookabreathunder the surface of the sacred water, and waited some more I could have remained there my entire life, had strong hands not draggedmeawayfromtheFountainoftheGods.
The witchsupposed to read me was holdingmyshoulders, her eyes wide and all white as she threw her head backand shook.
“Nothing You will be nothing to Dorath You will be nothing to Xhera You will live until this world is ashes and see the rise and fall of all empires. Your fate isn’t of this world, child.” Hereyesrolledbackintoplace,andshestaredatme,black pupilsfilledwithpityandfear.“Youarecursed.”
Afterhearingthesewords,Icertainlywas
Itdidn'tmatter how hardIworked,how muchIpushedmymind,mybody,how manyassignments Ifulfilled twice,ten timesasmanyasmyeldersister Istillfeltlikenothing,foreverchasingapurposethatI'dneverachieve
Myfamilycouldhavemadethingsharderformeafterthereading I'veheardofmanynoblesrejectingtheirchildrenwhen theywere read anunfavorable fate, butmymother trained me like she always had, and myfather never stopped readingme stories,lettingmesneakintohisoffice,oraskingmetoplaychesswithhim
I’veneverseenthebeginningofananswertotheriddleofaprophecyIwasread,untilRovanBriarshowedmetheother world
Ilvaris was no more than a terrifying tale at the back of my mind somewhere mortals don’t survive a day without protection.Butitcouldbemyanswer.ItcouldbewhereIbelong.
Between Two Princes. Daria
WhenIentermyboringweeklyethicsclassandsitatmyusual desk,InolongerdreadwhatevermaliceAeron’sgotin store for me While Rovanmight have erased his memoryof the events of the libraryfromhis mind, Aeronhasn’t botheredmesince,inwordsordeeds.Rovanmighthaveeffacedthebeating,butwhateverhedidleftthefear.
Aeronlooksatme,though,oftenfrowning,alwaysintense.Butsolongashedoesn’tspeaktome,Idon’tletitbotherme. Rovan’s appearances are more unsettling, but whenItense, it’s not out ofapprehension He’s a linkto Ilvaris, mynew fixation.Iwanttoaskhimeverythingaboutit,butIdon’tknowhowtobroachthesubject.
Iexpectedhimtoignoremethedayafterhesnuckintomyroom,buthedidn’t We’recertainlynothinglikefriends,buthe never fails to greetme, and I’mjustas polite, thoughthe interactions feel awkward, like there’s anoceanofquestions and secretsbetweenus
We’re to discuss hoardingwealthand resources today. Professor Paur means to make us understand thatit’s bad for the entiresociety,whenhisfamilyownsasapphiremineinAnderkan
Idon’tdisagree,attheheartofthings.Foodandwaterandclothingandartandroofsoverheadandhealthcareoughttobea right for all, and for that to happen, the highest class should certainly redistribute their wealth differently in most of the country.
Still, we hoard our wealth. We guard itlike dragons. We kill for it. Itis the nature ofour race to wantto excel, to have more, more, more. I don’t believe jewels, fine silk, painted whores, and great palaces are a sin as such. They give us somethingtostrivetoward There’snothingwrongwithrewardinghardwork,orwantingtopassonthebestofwhatwehave toourchildren.
