Page 22 of A Liar's Twisted Tongue

But Leiholan raises his sword. “I’ll tell you what,” he steps closer. “You beat me in a duel, and I’ll grovel for your cause to Cynthia.”

His sword is pointed at my chest now. I think he’s well intoxicated at this point, which should work out in my favor. But maybe I could use a little help, I’d just have to be very careful about what I might say. Take information, don’t divulge.

“Fine.” I step back. “I’ll accept your help.”

Leiholan chuckles, a deep, droozen laugh. “Oh, sweetheart.” His sword falls to the floor with reverberating clatters. “A few more of these,” he raises the bottle, “and I won’t be able to stand.”

And I’m not sure I’ve made the right decision.

Chapter 5

The Blood Doesn’t Stop at The Hand

DESDEMONA

The orphia can channel one another, but the power gained can only be used to perform submagic. Channeling from your species is much more potent. In the end, the power will go back to its rightful keeper.

– INTRO TO SUBMAGIC FOR AGES 6-10

I found a little river in the mastick and I’ve spent hours there every day for the past three days. At least I know I can open a portal back to Aralia’s room, but tonight’s venture will be a little more dire.

Aralia offers me clothes and her magical blusher again before the party. I’ve never worn something so nice into the woods. A black skirt and a shirt with puffy sleeves. The fabric feels unfamiliar, certainly one we don’t have at home.

Then she wipes black stuff across her eyelashes. I don’t know why, but I ask, “Can I try some?”

She holds up the tube. “Mascara?”

I make a mental note that the black stuff on eyelashes is mascara. “Yeah,” I say nonchalantly.

Aralia hands me the tube. “Here ya go.” I follow what she did, but I don’t go as close to my eyeball as her. Instantly I look… different. My eyes are bigger, wider, a little more traditional. I smile a little; I look more like Elliae.

I should ask Aralia for more of these glamour things.

When she pulls a flask from her boot, I instantly think of Damien and his daggers. I try not to miss him. I’ll see him soon.

“Do you want some?” she asks me, holding out the silver flask.

“What is it?” I ask.

She laughs at me and says, “Vesi. Duh.”

I really shouldn’t drink, not when there is so much underway for me. But how could I turn down trying the drink while I have the opportunity? I can tell Damien all about it, how it compares to the rena at home. I’d like to know. So I say yes, and it glides down like nectar, nowhere as sweet but just as smooth. Nothing like rena. Good to know.

The forest at night could almost be the septic, except it’s a bit brighter thanks to the moon. There are some apala trees here. The light from the buds was the only light—apart from candles—that we had at night back home. It’ll be good to be back.

I spot Kai standing on a log, telling a story while his arms wail around him. Aralia hands me her flask again, and when I pretend to take a sip a little vesi trickles down my throat.

“You’ve acquired the prince’s favor,” Aralia says to me, her voice pompous in a way that I’ve grown to recognize as sarcasm.

“I guess I have,” I say. Too bad I’ll be gone tonight.

“It’s a shame he’ll be married before the end of the Collianth cycle.” She takes a swig from her flask.

“He’s engaged?” I ask.

“That’s what this party is for,” Aralia tells me. I worry I’ve been too self-absorbed these past few days if I’m missing important pieces of information like that.

I scan the forest for the most worthy candidate, the orphia—preferably Folk—with the least amount of wits about them to channel from when I hear a familiar—and droozed—voice call out, “Desy!” Kai stumbles around on his log—the perfect candidate. Powerful, droozed, and above all, I’ve gained some small amount of his trust.

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