Page 70 of Unraveled
“Gwofs, really?” Finley stares at the box as Nera empties the contents over the table. My curiosity is at an all-time high. She sorts an assortment of gems of varying colors and opacities.
Weird stones I can’t place, all shaped into prisms.
“Just because you never win, Finn, doesn’t mean it isn’t fun.”
“I never win because you cheat.”
“You can’t cheat Gwofs, it’s magically bound. If you cheat, you lose. It’s quite simple, really. I just have better judgment than you.”
He glares at her as she sorts the three types of gems around us. There are four of each type, of varying sizes and with slightchanges of colors. Each has a small wave of magic bursting out of it. Finley’s ring snaps at my skin as I reach for one. “Ouch.”
“You can’t play this game while wearing someone else’s artifact, I’m afraid.” Nera waves in my general direction and continues to sort the stones.
“What are they?” I’m removing the ring before I can think about what I’m signing up for. As soon as I set it on the table, the pressure in my stomach returns, not too strong yet, but a reminder that it’s there. Waiting to be let out.
“Galena, wardite, onyx, and fluorite. They are all highly magically conductive, and each contains a spell to detect truths and lies. You pick a stone that feels right, and try to trick it. For example, if you choose a truth, then you have to convince the rock of something that isn’t true to you. If you succeed, the rock will spin. Then you win your turn, and it goes to the next player.”
“What happens if you lose?”
“You lose a hand,” Finley says dryly.
“Hush. And no, you don’t lose a hand, but there is a catch. If you lose, the winner gets to challenge you to do something. It can’t be life-threatening, but it is magically binding.”
I frown and pull my hand back. Not sure I like those odds.
“But if you win, you get to learn a magical truth from the stones themselves.”
“What kind of truth?” My hesitation wavers.
“Nothing huge, but you can ask about your own life, maybe even your past.”
“Nera.” Finley narrows his gaze on the princess. “You’re forcing Mia to play your game. You well know that she wants truths about her nature.”
“I’m not forcing anyone.” She hesitates, chewing on her lip while she stares at me, almost apologetic. I feel like Nera usually gets what she wants. But she’s very good at working for it, I’ll give her that much. “I want you to play, but not without all theinformation. I know you want answers, and Gwofs can give you some if you win. But it’ll be fun either way, even if you lose. It’s a truth or dare game, like what humans have, but with magic. You need to loosen up, Finn.”
“So, if I win, I can ask if my parents are my actual parents?”
They both stare at me in silence for a while, and then they both nod. Knowledge is what I crave most, and I don’t fear a challenge. I’ve got nothing to lose.
“Do we have to say our truths or lies out loud?” I’m not sure if I want my deepest secrets out in the open, but to learn about my past, I would do anything.
“No, you hold your stone and think of a truth or lie. The artifact reacts right after. You have to convince it that the truth is a lie, or vice versa. If you make it spin, you win your turn and it goes to the next person. Best out of five rounds wins the game.”
Finley scoffs and takes a long drink of his beer. “I’m not playing, Nera. Last time we did this, I ended up drinking an entire bottle of whiskey and was sick for days.”
“It’s my birthday,” she pouted.
“Not for another four days, and you cheat.”
“You’re such a sore loser.” Nera turns her attention to me. “You can’t cheat in this game, Mia. If the rocks sense there is magic at play, they will all shift to this.” She picks up a rock and shows me a red dot on one side. “And then you lose.”
“Alright, I’ll play.”
I shouldn’t have played.By the second round, it’s crystal clear that Nera knows how to trick the stones, while I struggle to come up with a half-truth—or lie—that might allow me a spin. A chance to learn a fraction of the truth I crave.
I don’t like coconut, I think, remembering that time I had a coconut cake that was all stringy and gross. It reminded meof worms. But then again, I enjoyed the flavor most times. The stone spins after a moment of hesitation, and Finley whistles loudly as he serves all four of our plates with garlic roast and rosemary potatoes.
Where’s Ash? He hasn’t rejoined us since we split up when we arrived, and to my absolute horror, I miss him. Which I would never admit out loud. Finley assured us he’s sorting out a cabin and the horses for the night. Twilight is getting closer, and we have to get to our sleeping quarters soon, before both Nera and Ash are taken by the slumber.
