“You wound me, truly.” I rise and circle behind Annora’s chair, resting my hands on its back. “Remember when we used to laugh together?”
“That was before you stole my magic,” she says through gritted teeth.
“Borrowed.” With my index finger, I tap the chair. Once. Twice. On the third tap, I speak. “I borrowed your magic. There’s a difference.”
“Is there?” Asha asks, and I shoot her a playful wink.
“Of course. Just like I borrowed Jasce’s favorite sword when we were children. Though, I may have accidentally dropped it in the lake.” I pause for dramatic effect. “Multiple times.”
It’s not true. I never actually took Jasce’s sword, but the lie is worth it when Asha snorts and grins at me.
“See? Your sister understands me.” I move to Asha’s side, placing a hand on her shoulder. “We’re quite alike, your sister and me. Both overlooked, both underestimated.”
“Both willing to hurt people to get what you want,” Annora says.
My smile doesn’t waver, though something in my chest tightens. “Now that’s not entirely fair. I haven’t hurt anyone.” I spread my arms wide. “I’m simply redistributing power. Making things more interesting.”
The room falls silent, and I feel the weight of both sisters’ stares. Annora’s is disapproving. Asha’s contemplative.
“You know what your problem is, Annora?” I release Asha’s shoulder. “You’re so caught up in your rigid view of right and wrong that you miss all the beautiful shades of gray in between.”
I move to the nearby shelf and grab a book, pretending to examine its spine. “Take your precious Jasce, for instance. Everyone thinks he’s so noble, so righteous.” I flip the book over. “But did you know he once burned down an entire village because they refused to pay their tribute to my father?”
A quick frown pulls at the corners of Annora’s mouth. “That’s not—”
“—true?” With a quick flip of my wrist, I snap the book shut. “Oh, but it is. Ask him yourself next time you see him. If you see him.” I slide the book back into place. “The difference between Jasce and me is that I admit what I am. I don’t hide behind a facade of nobility.”
“And what exactly are you?” Annora challenges.
I flash my most disarming smile. “What am I? I’m the one who’s going to change everything.”
“You’re insane,” she says.
“I prefer visionary. Though, I suppose the line between the two is rather thin.” I pluck an apple from the bowl on Asha’s desk and toss it in the air. “Like the line between love and hate. Speaking of which, how is my dear brother these days?”
Red flares across Annora’s cheeks. “Don’t—”
“—oh, touched a nerve, did I?” I gesture to her face covering with the apple. “You really don’t need to wear that here. We’re all family now.”
“We are not family.”
“No?” I take a bite of the apple. “Are you not married to my brother?”
Annora’s glare could melt the sun, but I find her anger delightful. Such passion in those dark blue eyes. Such fury.
I take another bite of the apple, letting the juice drip down my chin before wiping it away with exaggerated care. “Your silence speaks volumes. Though, I must say, it’s rather rude to ignore a direct question.”
Her expression doesn’t shift.
“Come now, surely you can spare a word about my beloved brother?”
“Stop it,” Annora hisses.
“You know what your problem is, Annora?” I don’t wait for her answer. “You take everything so seriously. Life’s a game, and the sooner you learn to play it... Well, let’s just say you might actually enjoy yourself.”
The muscle in her jaw tightens. “This isn’t a game, Aleksander.”
“Isn’t it?” I toss the apple core into the air and catch it. “The pieces are set. Moves are being made. Sounds like a game to me. And I’ve always been rather good at games. Just ask Jasce. Oh wait...” I snap my fingers. “You can’t.”
