“And yet no man or woman in the city has ever laid eyes on him?” She scoffs. “They all know someone who knows someone who did once. He’s a fairy tale.”
“Fine, he’s a network of people, but how is it possible that someone figured this out ahead of even our first meeting? Obviously, Henry didn’t know what my powers were or he wouldn’t have kissed me like that.”
Aidia’s head whips toward me. “How did he kiss you?”
Just thinking about Henry’s hands on me sends a flood of heat through my whole body.
“Oh, you don’t need to say anything. It’s written all over your face.” She says it in the irritating way that only a sister can.
No one anchors me like she does, or gets under my skin so easily, and no one else knows how to see in my eyes the words I cannot say.
“It was good, but it doesn’t matter,” I say. “I’ve just never been able to kiss anyone for more than a moment before, and I’ve certainly never kissed anyone I was attracted to.”
She arches a brow. “So he’s handsome?”
I’ve made an error. It’s the pain hangover making me slow. She’llnever let it go now. “If you’re into that tall, charming-and-knows-it kind of thing.”
“What does he look like?”
I try to sound casual. “Tallish, with dark hair.”
Aidia sits up straighter and claps her hands. “Oh, he must be gorgeous. Look at your face. Never thought I’d see the day someone had you all flustered like that.”
“I am not flustered. He’s just—different. Most men are so similar.”
Aidia is utterly delighted, swirling her feet in the water as she laughs. “I did not expect it to be a feral mountain man for you, but most men in this city are too weak for your intensity. I guess it makes sense.”
“It doesn’t matter,” I say. “He’s not my real husband. He’s just a means to an end.”
“Famous last words. All bets are off if you don’t have an easy way to off him.” She brushes her hair back over her shoulders and smiles at me. “I think it could be good for you. Every girl needs a hobby, and you do love your murder games.”
I ignore the jab. “Aidy, what if I can’t do it? I’ve never had to be charming for more than a night.”
Her face softens. “What is the only thing stronger than the stone this house was built on?”
“My will.”
She’s asked me that question so many times over the years. But my will never feels weaker than in the moments when I cling to this phrase. It took me years to understand that the strength isn’t in not wanting to give up, but in desperately wanting to and continuing to persevere.
“I’ve made a decision.”
“Oh?” Aidia asks.
“I’m not going to let our parents use me anymore. I’ll do my time at Mountain Haven, but you and I are leaving this city when I’m done.”
A crease forms in her brow, her expression morphing from humor to concern. “Low, you know we can’t do that.”
There’s so much conviction in her words, but I don’t want to hear it.
I want to rage at her for giving in. Her surrender to her circumstances feels like a betrayal. She’s always been too strong to break, and I can’t bear to live in a world where she’s irreparable.
A dull ache forms in my temples, and I lie back and stare up at the light reflection patterns on the stone ceiling to try and summon calm.
I’m tired of everyone acting as though this is a problem we can’t solve. I don’t care about peace for the city if it means chaos for my sister. I don’t care if that makes me a bad person. Maybe it means I’m unworthy and ungrateful for my magic, but I’d give up both my social and literal power if it means bringing Aidia home not just to us, but to her old self.
7
HENRY
