“Well, let me tell you 'bout the way she looked

The way she'd act and the color of her hair

Her voice was soft and cool; her eyes were clear and bright

But she's not there.”

Toliana hate- hate- hated when the perspective switched just as things were getting interesting. She collapsed backward into the plush grass with a heartfelt sigh. She draped Passion Smolders across her face, using her nose as a bookmark. She let the book curtain her face as she kicked her legs into the air.

You idiot! Tell him you love him!

Toliana was sure Noelle would tell Prince Kerrek she loved him, they’d kiss, and Noelle would find out she was royalty. Unfortunately, Toliana had to get through more of the prince’s backstory before she got to the good stuff.

She sighed once more before rolling onto her stomach. She propped her head up and flipped open Passion Smolders, reading:

“Prince Kerrek sat deep within the villainous Queen Loumoux’s dungeon for two years, the public opinion of Kerrek growing in his absence. Tales of Kerrek’s exploits, both as a cunning leader and an elusive adversary, were passed around like cheap wine until they were too large to ignore. Kerrek’s name took on a new meaning. Kerrek became synonymous with the great escape, his flight from his father, and the succession wars was no less than a miracle.

Soon, Kerrek found his soul filled with the true magic of the world– Not the magic of words but the magic of names. Wielding his name, Kerrek was able to slip free from his bonds and escape into the night as everyone was sure he could.”

I can do this.

“Toliana.”

Just one more chapter.

“Toliana!”

And then? Her heart fluttered at the thought.

A boy-shaped shadow overtook her sunlight. Toliana slapped her book closed and slid it under her belly. She peered up and found it wasn’t a boy at all, but a Gabe. There was a distinction. He was younger than her by a year and, well, Gabe.

“Your mom’s looking for you.” Gabe Gabed.

“How bad is it?” Toliana asked as she sat up, placing Passion Smolders on her lap.

“An eight at least.”

“Do I have time to finish this chapter?”

“I wouldn’t risk it,” he said, scratching his head, “Plus, I’d get changed. Your mom was all dressed up, and the soldiers were, too.”

Toliana jumped to her feet, and her heart dropped.

“Hold this for me, will you?” Toliana shoved her book into the pudgy boy's arms. “Thanks, Gabe. Bye.”

She didn’t hear if he replied in her haste. She jogged the best she could, the wild grasses pulling at the hem of her dress. Her house stood starkly visible from the hill she was stumbling down. House was an understatement. The villagers had houses. Gabe’s family had a house. Toliana had a three-story mansion. Well, her parents owned it, as they were fond of reminding her.

Toliana slowed as she approached the training grounds. She waved to some of her father’s soldiers as they passed, and they waved in return. The smell of metal polish hung like an omen over the men.

“Toliana,” a curly-haired man called out, “the margravine was looking for you.”

“Thanks, Tony,” Toliana called back with a strained but genuine smile, “Gabe already found me.”

"Gabe? Toli, that boy would tell you the sky is red if you'd listen."

It is when the sun sets.

"Well, I better get going," Toliana said with a hint of urgency.

Toliana exhibited virtuous patience just long enough for the chattering men to round the corner before she broke into a sprint. The training grounds were behind her house, so she slipped through a small side door used by the kitchen staff.

Once inside, she dodged people holding silver trays and their questions with equal measures of practiced ease.

The foyer was empty, letting Toliana skulk up the stairs. At the top, she beelined for her room. A red carpet with garish blue and silver trim ran the length of the hallway and muted her steps. The coast was clear.

You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.

Toliana took extra care not to bump into any expensive bits and bobs on display in the hall, mentally thanking every quiet floorboard on the path to her room.

Once there, Toliana cautiously pressed the silver door handle, and at the same time, she pulled up, alleviating pressure from the hinges and preventing an otherwise catastrophic squeak. Toliana released the breath she’d been holding.

“Mother was asking for you.”

Toliana’s heart leapt from her chest and Toliana from her shoes. She spun, a hand clutching her chest.

“My Word, Toli, you’d think I was a Massic assassin the way you jumped,” Aedena grinned, the hand over her mouth doing nothing to restrain her giggle.

She even snickers proper.

Aedena had her hair done up in an intricate braid tied into a bun at the nape of her neck. She wore an elegant white dress patterned with flowing red and black flowers. Two azaleas, one white and one red, sat pinned to the left of Aedena’s head. Off-setting the flowers, a white jade bracelet hung from her right wrist.

“Wow, you look,” Toliana racked her brain for the best words to say, “Wow.”

Aedana smiled, and Toliana had to squint against its brilliance. Her sister twisted her head to show off the flowers and stuck a pose. Toliana’s lips curled into a reactionary smile, and she held her arms out for a hug.

Aedana’s smile never dipped as she said, “Go get cleaned up.”

Toliana mirrored the expression and replied, “You have lipstick on your teeth.”

Toliana narrowly avoided an indignant swipe as she slipped into her room and pressed the door closed. She took a moment to collect herself before bursting into a flurry of flung linens and chucked cottons. Toliana scrubbed her face and blindly grabbed her comb. She plowed her hair straight, taking a few casualties in the process. Strands of the dearly departed swirled in the space a girl once occupied. Toliana hopped into a pair of nice shoes and out of the room.

Toliana walked the ostentatious carpet as men walked to the gallows. Her guts felt cold with uncertainty. Toliana allowed gravity to do most of the work on the way downstairs. Her footfalls landed heavily on each step as she spiraled into the lavish foyer below.

Mother waited in the same place and pose she always did. She wore a dress similar to her sister’s but with more layers and a silver bracelet. She was the lord of the waiting room, casually sipping tea with much the same confident, imperial air Aedana possessed. Only, it wasn’t the confidence of oneself but the inferiority of others.

The margravine looked up from her drink, her gaunt face’s sharp features drilling into Toliana’s soul.

How could someone with hair pulled that tight still have wrinkles?

Toliana curtsied.

“Mother.”

An open-palmed gesture indicated for Toliana to sit at her mother’s side. Toliana smoothed her ankle-length dress as she took her seat. The side-by-side seating would have felt intimate had it been anyone else. Her mother languidly placed her cup down and turned to face Toliana. Her voice was almost creaky as she spoke.

“You took your sweet time.”

Toliana couldn’t meet her eyes.

“Yes.”

“I’ve received notice–” the margravine glanced to an open letter on the table– “that your brother has become an Etymancer.”

“Rory’s a wizard?” Toliana’s heart swelled, “That’s great news.”

“An Etymancer. ‘Wizards,’” the older woman waved her hand about as if to bat aside the very idea, “are fairy tales for children. Of course, you would know that had you read anything I’ve assigned. Those books you so love, if you can call them books at all, do nothing but confuse your already derelict mind.”

She kept going, but Toliana wasn’t there.

A wizard! Toliana imagined her brother lifting her into the air with magic. This is going to be so much fun.

“Toliana Lavanine Krozha, are you listening to a word I’m saying?”

“Yes.”

“Good, go get changed and take a couple of maids with you.”

“What? Why?”

“Toliana,” her mother grabbed Toliana’s chin and forcibly made them lock eyes, “Your father and brother will be here tonight. There will be a parade for the soldiers, and we will be having dinner together afterward. Do not mess this up for me. Understand?”

Toliana nodded as well as she could with her head held in place.

“You know how your father’s been since–”

“Since he became a monster?” Toliana regretted saying it immediately.

The hand clutching Toliana’s chin violently jerked around her mouth and squeezed. Toliana reached up and pushed against the thin arms, but her mother’s dainty hand was a vice clasping Toliana’s jaw. The aging woman stood and faced her offspring, shoving Toliana back. Toliana’s head bashed into the wood backing of the couch. Fearful eyes met fury. A slim finger repeatedly jabbed into Toliana’s chest, punctuating each word.

“You do not know what we’ve sacrificed. The things we’ve– he had to do to get us where we are? To buy you all the nice clothes and books you could ever want? I will not have you disrespecting your own father. Am I clear?”

The margravine stood and adjusted her bodice. Toliana tried to speak, but her voice caught in her throat.

“Look what you made me do,” her mother said to herself.

Eventually, Toliana sulled out a strained, “Yes, ma’am.”

Her mother either didn’t notice the reply or didn’t care. She turned from her daughter and rang a small silver bell that had been sitting on the table. Toliana covered her eyes with a hand as the two servant women entered.

“Help Toliana get ready for tonight’s festivities.”

The women were silent as the margravine left. Toliana stood, continuing to shield her eyes as she briskly pushed past the maids and into the foyer.

Toliana walked in front, hoping they couldn’t see the tears.