Page 55 of The Other Side of the Mirror

I grimaced, wishing I could will away the ache in my chest at her name. Barely noticing what I was putting in my mouth, I took a bite and swallowed.

Yael and Marin walked in, their laughter skittering over my nerves because I couldn’t help the inescapable feeling that Eva should be here, with us.

With me.

There would be no more nights spent whispering to each other until dawn lightened the sky. No more conversations with the only person in either realm I had ever opened up to like that—so quickly it had caught me entirely off guard even as it felt as easy as breathing. I would never again feel her hand in mine, the warmth of her body, the softness of her lips…I quickly stopped that train of thought in its tracks.

Her absence was everywhere, and I found myself checking my palm again, as I had constantly for the past two days—my last few messages to her still unanswered. Last night I had begged her to respond, if only to know she was okay, then watched my hand until I finally fell asleep. I had jerked awake at a dream that I felt the tingle of her reply—her neat, looped letters sliding across my skin. It had only been the blood thrumming in my veins.

Something’s wrong, I know it.

That ominous thought strangled me, andI dropped my spoon in my empty bowl with a loud clatter. Marin fell silent from whatever she was telling Rivan. Yael dropped a piece of toast directly into her morning tea, glaring pointedly at me.

“I’m sorry, I’m…” I cut myself off and tried again. “Something isn’t right. I just know it. She’s still not answering.”

“Like what?” Rivan’s tone was shrewd, not bothering to pretend he didn’t know who I was talking about. I could tell he, too, was concerned by Eva’s lack of messages, especially after I told him about her message that something wasn’t right before she went silent. But Rivan would talk it through calmly and carefully first, always the strategist. “She’s with heranima, the only fae strong enough to take down the False King himself. And our soon-to-be High King. How couldn’t she be safe?”

I grunted at my empty bowl, unsure how to voice the dread building inside of me. Clenching my hands, I stared out the window like I could see clear to Morehaven.

“She hasn’t responded,” I said tightly. “It’s not like her. And it’s been too long.”

What if she’s hurt? Whatother possible reason could she have for not responding?

“Eva wouldn’t just go dark,” Yael conceded, looking uneasy. “How long has it been, exactly, since she last wrote to you?”

“Almost two days,” I said bleakly. The pit in my stomach that I had been desperately trying to ignore grew a little larger. Getting to my feet, I cleaned my bowl, focusing on the methodical movements to keep myself from hurling it at the wall.

I shouldn’t have let her go there alone. I shouldn’t havelet her go atall.

“Maybe the bond fell in place, and they’ve been too busy wrapped in each other…”

But Yael didn’t sound convinced, even though she knew all too well the frantic beginnings of a newly formedanimabond. I scowled at the thought, though I knew that was exactly what the whole damned realm was hoping would happen.

“Or perhaps her betrothed got jealous that she’s writing you behind his back, even if you found a way to do so without your magic announcing yourself,” Marin said, failing to hide her knowing smile.

She, more than anyone, knew the significance of me giving one of our parents’ quills to Eva. And while I assumed Yael had told her all about our adventures in the woods, even she didn’t have any idea of the depth of my longing.

Yael shook her head. “You think the prince disabled it somehow? Even if he realized what it did, I doubt Eva would’ve been on board to lose the only easy means of communication she has with us, especially in a castle full of strangers.”

I winced at the cavalier explanation of how entirely we had abandoned her.

Would I even know if she was dead?

I swallowed against the nausea that suddenly overwhelmed me.

“I still think she would’ve told us if the bond had formed after this long,” Marin whispered, her features contorting with worry.

Rivan nodded. “I agree. Something doesn’t sit right.” His face darkened. “But we can’t exactly just mirror over and demand to see her without a summons.”

“We could travel by horse,” Marin quickly countered. “Try to drop in inconspicuously and ask around.”

“That’ll take two more days,” I snapped and immediately regretted my tone at my sister’s hurt expression. Yael waved her butter knife threateningly at me. “I’m sorry, you’re right. But you need to stay here and keep an eye on things if we’re leaving again so soon. If somethingiswrong, I’ll let you know as soon as I can.”

Marin nodded, accepting the apology and the plan.

Rivan grinned. “Then what are we waiting for?”

I was already halfway out the door.

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