Page 62 of Daughter of No Worlds

My cheek and forehead burned, scars left by everyone I had abandoned.

“It is never so simple,” I shot back, too-quickly, too-loudly. And perhaps the vehemence of my answer told Max that somehow, we had started talking about something different, because his face shifted in the beginnings of concern.

But I was relieved when a knock at the door rang out. Max hesitated briefly before standing to answer it, muttering, “I don’t even know what that noise is, considering that no one ever bothers.”

He swung open the door, and there stood Nura.

“How wonderful to see you,” Max said, baring his teeth in a smile.

Chapter Twenty

“What do you want?” Max demanded.

Nura gave him an icy smile. “May I come in?”

“If I say no, are you just going to wander in anyway? Because that seems to be how these things go around here.”

“Yes, probably.”

“You’re that determined to lecture me?”

A low laugh unfurled from her breath. “Don’t be so self-important, Max. I’m not here to see you.”

I tried not to look surprised. They both turned to me — Nura with her mouth twisted into a little unreadable smirk, and Max with a hard glint in his eye that echoed of nervousness.

“Why?” he barked.

“Let me in and you’ll find out.”

Max hesitated, then stepped aside.

Nura strode across the room and slid into the chair near me. She was wearing a variation of the same uniform she donned every time I saw her — the long, white jacket buttoned all the way up to her throat, moon insignias on her lapel and across her back. I was once again struck by how graceful and deliberate her movements were, as if every muscle worked in perfect unison, even in the tiny expressions of her face. She was actually quite beautiful. As she moved to sit down, her white braids fell over one shoulder, rippling light from the windows across her face in a momentary softness. Then she settled and that glimmer was replaced once again with steel.

“Is your training going well?” she asked.

“Very well.” I would have given her that reply regardless, but I couldn’t help but glance at Max as I answered — pleased I didn't have to lie.

“Good. I’ve come because the Orders request your help.”

I blinked, refusing to allow myself to look surprised even though a wild hope leapt to my skin. This had to be good…didn’t it?

“For what?”

“Lord Savoi’s son in Tairn is refusing to abdicate power, even though his family has been removed from leadership. It’s merely a tantrum. But we need bodies to march upon the city gates and scare him out of his hideout, and I would like for you to join. It will not turn to bloodshed. He simply needs to be scared.”

“The Guard doesn’t have enough people to do this as is?” Max cut in. “One Fragmented girl will make all the difference?”

“One Fragmented girl and one ill-tempered, moderately famous Solarie, if you’re cooperative.”

She said the word “cooperative” so drily that it cracked and scattered across the floor.

“But again, you’re too self-important,” she went on. “We’re sending letters to many people in the area, since the Guard is preoccupied in Vernaya.”

“The war hasn’t even started yet and you’re already overtaxed?” Max needled. “And what happened to the Orders being politically neutral? Or have you given up that farce now that one of your own is driving this mess?”

But I let Max’s ranting fall into the background, watching Nura, thinking.

I would take any opportunity presented to me. I couldn’t afford not to. But I didn’t give up anything for free.

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