Page 129 of The Iron Flower

My grandmother gave her those scars.

She seems so private, Ni Vin. So closed off. I remember her unflappable calm, her unreadable expression when she saved Marina, purposefully ignoring her presence in the North Tower when she was supposed to be conducting an investigation.

She saved Marina’s life that day.

“I’d give anything to be with her,” Valasca says with heartfelt longing. Tears fill her dark eyes as she focuses on the stars.

“So, here we are,” I say broodingly. “The both of us. Stuck in the Western Realm.”

“Yup,” Valasca agrees with an exaggerated nod.

“The commander of the Fourth Division Base wants to fast to me,” I tell her with absolutely no preamble.

Valasca’s head pivots toward me, her brow flying up. “Lukas Grey?”

“Yes.”

Her expression turns guarded. “You know him quite well, then?”

“I’ve kissed him.”

“You’ve kissedLukas Grey?”

“Quite thoroughly.”

Valasca’s expression becomes darkly cautionary. “Sweet Goddess, Elloren. Stay away from him. He’s dangerous. And unpredictable.”

I glance out at the western shard of the Spine, snowcapped and just past the Amaz city.He’s there, somewhere just past those peaks.

I remember the resentful look Lukas gave me when we last parted. How final it all felt. And I wonder if there ever was any real chance of Lukas breaking from the Gardnerians.

“Don’t worry. I’m staying away from him,” I tell Valasca, a sullen bitterness creeping into my voice.

“Does your Kelt know about him?”

I nod, suddenly miserable. “My life is a mess.”

Valasca whistles long and low. “You’re right. It is.”

I frown at her, and she gives me a rueful look of solidarity. “Well, you’re in good company, in any case.” Valasca shakes her head and looks up at the glittering stars. “Both of us with true loves who willneverhave us.”

She breathes in deep and closes her eyes for a moment, then reaches down and clumsily retrieves the flask from the ground. “This drink is making us maudlin.” She throws the stopper decidedly back onto the flask.

I drop my forehead into my hands. “My head is starting toreallyhurt.”

“You drank way too much.” When I look up at her, Valasca’s eyebrow is arched, but not unkindly. “I did warn you.”

“I know you did,” I pathetically relent as my head is hammered over and over. Everything is a troubled whirl inside me—Yvan, Lukas, the Wand, Sage’s baby, the Prophecy...my power. “I feel so confused,” I tell her. “Abouteverything.”

“That’s all right,” she says, her voice pitched low with understanding. “There’s nothing wrong with being confused.”

A laugh bursts from me, and I hold on to Valasca’s self-assured stare as the world spins sickeningly around me. “You remind me of this professor back at University. He’s always talking about confusion being a good thing. He gave me all these histories to read. All from different perspectives.” I slur the last word terribly and pause to try and regain control of my tongue.

“I do that,” Valasca says, growing pensive. “I read everything I can get my hands on, from every possible viewpoint.” She shoots me a sly grin. “Even if I have to smuggle some of the books in here. I make sure to confuse myself on a regular basis.”

Valasca’s brow tightens, as if her thoughts suddenly trouble her. “It makes it difficult to judge anyone, though. I think that’s why I’ve become the perfect confidante. I am the city’s unofficial keeper of secrets. Confidante of many, and the true love of none.”

She says the last part with mock chivalry, but there’s something pained behind her lighthearted tone. Her mouth lifts in the ghost of a smile. “I have a good many friends, though.” Valasca pauses and tilts her head, considering me appraisingly. “You know, if things don’t work out with the Kelt, you could come and join us. Before they force you to fast. We could make a warrior out of you. Teach you to fight. You’d never be powerless again.”

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