Page 4 of A Reflection of Lies and Truth

“What did he want with you?” she asks when we’re alone.

Every part of me wants to trail him, to ask him a thousand questions, to grab him, to kiss him.

Instead, I remain near the balustrade and clutch the seashell pendant against my chest. “To give me a present.”

Asha takes my arm and leads me back into the ballroom, where the din of conversation and music swallows us.

Determination shines in her eyes as she guides me through clusters of masked nobles, her presence parting them like a ship cleaving through water. I catch snippets of gossip and laughter as we pass, though, their words are lost in the swell of sound.

Thankfully, she steers us to a quiet corner where the music is a gentle lull instead of an overwhelming tide.

Commander Titanus moves to stand near us and keeps his attention locked on the crowd, scanning for any hint of danger. Over the past summer, I have grown accustomed to seeing my sister constantly shadowed by her vigilant guard.

Sometimes I wonder if there is more between them. After all, it’s been summers since Asha’s husband died.

I look at her—really look—and see the protector, who would lay down her life without hesitation to save mine. She’s not like our mother, who spends more time alone in her bedchamber than she does with her daughters. Or like our father, who disappeared one morning summers ago without a word of farewell.

They both deserted us as easily as slipping off old boots. But not Asha. She would never desert me. She’s too loyal for that, her code of honor binding her as tightly as the laces of her gown.

I remain near Asha for the remainder of the ball, though my mind often wanders to Jasce and the gift he brought me. I open my palm, staring down at the seashell pendant nestled in my hand.

Asha notices and follows my gaze down to the necklace. “It’s lovely.” Before I can reply, she reaches for the delicate chain. “Here, let me.”

I sweep my hair over one shoulder so she can clasp the necklace around my neck. She clicks the chain together, securing it with a resounding snap.

My hand goes to my throat, fingertips grazing over the smooth seashell pendant.

Jasce remembered.

The realization washes over me like a wave. He not only remembered my love of seashells, but he came all the way to Bakva to gift me this exquisite necklace on my birthday.

“It suits you.” Asha steps back to look at me and smiles. “Happy Birthday, Rora.”

“Thank you,” I say, hoping she understands I’m thanking her for more than just the kind words about my appearance. I’m thanking her for always trying to shield me from the cruelties of this world.

I reach up again, grazing my fingers over the seashell, then the hematite stone dangling from my other necklace. Sometimes I wonder why I still wear hematite when I don’t know how to conjure my silver magic, and I don’t want to use Lyra’s. Not that I know how to summon her magic. Ever since I used it on Jerrod, it has stayed mostly silent.

Maybe I wear hematite to remind myself that we’re all from the same tribe, even if our houses are divided. Asha only sees silver. Jerrod only saw crimson. But I see a reflection of both.

As the ball ends and people leave, I remain near Asha, watching as the crowd thins. I catch glimpses of knowing smiles and whispered words as the guests take their leave, no doubt gossiping about the events of the evening. Servants dip their heads respectfully as they hold doors open, while guards stand at attention.

“Rora,” Asha says, drawing my attention to her. “Let’s go to the parlor.”

ChapterTwo

ANNORA

I smileas I follow Asha into her favorite parlor. Emerin and Tahira are already seated on the chairs near the marble fireplace.

Thankfully, Commander Titanus remains just outside the door. There’s something about the tall, imposing man with his cold stare and rigid posture that makes the nerves tighten in my belly.

Asha gestures for me to take the open seat beside her. I sit, then smooth my cotehardie.

Torchlight glistens in Emerin’s eyes as she speaks in a tone laced with exhilaration. “I must have danced with every eligible bachelor in Bakva tonight.”

Tahira chimes in. “And I with every not-so-eligible one.”

“Rora.” Emerin turns to me. “You vanished for a while. Did you meet someone interesting?”

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