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I think of the spear I staked into Meguh’s heart and the captain I brutally murdered in Shenlani, the countless guards and suiyaks I’ve slain to return to my sister’s side. Let Vanna believe what she wants. I’m tired, and I don’t want to talk about monsters anymore.

As our palanquin ascends the palace steps, I press Hokzuh’s dagger into her hand. “Take this. Angma is coming for you.”

“A knife?” Vanna raises her brows. “Very funny, Channi. Is this a birthday gift? It’s not auspicious to give knives, you know.”

“It’s for you to protect yourself.”

“Serpents of Hell.” Vanna shakes her head, refusing the blade. “You still think Angma is coming for me.”

I grab my sister’s arm, clutching the embroidered silk. “I saw her. She’s strong, and she has an army of suiyaks—”

“Look outside,” Vanna interrupts. “See the hundreds of soldiers in the palace? Each one has sworn to protect me with their life. Be happy for me. It’s my birthday, and my wedding day. A double celebration.”

“Vanna, Ang—”

“I don’t want to hear about Angma anymore,” she says, her voice rising.

The light in Vanna’s heart extends to her eyes, and I lean back, staggered that I cannot say another word about Angma.

It’s the pearl, Ukar murmurs. She’s using it on you.

I shouldn’t be surprised. Nakri did warn that Vanna would come into the pearl’s full power on her birthday. It makes sense that she’s gotten stronger since I’ve been away.

“I know it’s hard for you to understand,” continues Vanna quietly, “but you don’t have to worry about me. I have guards aplenty now, and my very own prince to protect me.”

Ukar’s scales turn purple to match the cushions. I’d like to see that princeling fend off Angma’s demons. You should tell her what you went through to get here today.

I don’t reply. I can’t.

“Will you brush my hair, for old times’ sake?” Vanna asks. “Will you give me your blessing?”

It’s a long-held tradition on Sundau, but probably considered backward on an island like Tai’yanan.

I hesitate. “I found a note in your pocket last month,” I say softly. “It said, You are the light that makes my lantern shine.”

Vanna bunches up the folds of her skirt, the only sign that I’ve caught her off guard. “It’s nothing and it’s from nobody. Just a silly love note. I get them all the time.”

She’s lying.

“Was it from Oshli?” I ask.

Vanna flinches. “It doesn’t matter. Please don’t mention it again.” A flash of gold sparkles in her eyes, and she lifts a comb from her hair. “Brush my hair. Please. You’re the only one left who hasn’t.”

I take the comb. There’s not a tangle in her cascade of silken black hair, and as I stroke down, carefully working around the flowers braided into her crown, the familiar motion calms my nerves. We both used to have trouble sleeping, and we’d take turns combing each other’s hair, counting aloud until the sleep spirits claimed us.

“One…two…,” I murmur.

I make it to seventeen when Vanna turns and squeezes my hand. She takes a breath. “Forgive me if I sounded ungrateful, Channi. I know how much you’ve given up for me.” She presses our fingertips together. “All I want is to take care of you, for us to be together always. I love you.”

My heart goes soft. In the beginning, when Vanna was a baby, I protected her because of my promise to Mama. Now I protect her because I cannot imagine life without her. “I love you too.”

I return the comb to her and note the flowers in her hair. Hibiscuses and lilies. A beautiful combination. But they’re not her favorites.

“What can I bring you for your birthday?” I used to ask her every year.

“A moon orchid, like the ones you pluck from the pond. The butterflies like them.”

“Just one?”