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“So instead of holding the Archwitches in high esteem for their ingenuity and sacrifice, they are vilified because they weakened the lesser witches?” I frown at the ridiculousness.

Balázs chuckles. “You sound and look exactly like your mother at this moment.”

His words unsettle me and he notices.

“What is it, Erjy?”

I hesitate, uncertain if I want to divulge what I had overheard from members of his coven. How could I tell this kind man that people suspect he wishes to replicate his affair with Viorica with me because I strongly resemble her? I do not for a moment believe the gossip. Balázs has treated me as a daughter. Perhaps his fondness for me has only added to the resentment among the other witches because I do look so much like my mother.

“I just do not understand how they could be angry at Ágota and my mother. They were not the ones who made those choices,” I say instead of expressing my true thoughts.

“When you are long-lived, you tend to remember the injustices more than the joys of life. Something which I grapple with myself. It would be good for our kind if you were an Archwitch as well. And if your children were, too. In Ágota I see the revitalization of our race. She is a child of this world and the magic that was so foreign to us when we first arrived here welcomes her. I see the same in you.”

It bothers me that we lie to him about my abilities. Ágota’s ring on my finger protects me in more ways than one. If he knew I was merely a mortal young girl would he still love me?

“So why does the coven despise Ágota if she is the promise of a new future?”

Balázs wearily sighs, his fingers plucking at one of the ledgers on his desk. “Has she said something to you about their hostility?”

I giggle, amused that he would think I would be oblivious to the poison stares my sister and I receive whenever we are included in the coven activities. “It does not bother Ágota, but it does upset me.”

“It upsets me as well, Erjy. I am saddened to hear you have noticed the conflicts within the coven.”

Balázs has kept us apart from Soffia and her coterie as much as possible. We only see her on a rare occasion. The castle is large enough that we can spend many weeks without interacting with Soffia’s faction. While I study with my tutor to become a proper young lady, Ágota spends much of her time with Balázs practicing her magic.

“I suspect my sister rather enjoys provoking those who dislike her,” I admit. “She is not wholly innocent.”

Balázs starts to chuckle. “I suppose the conflict has been far more evident than I would like to admit. I do try to protect you and Ágota.”

The door to the study is opened with such ferocity it bangs against the wall. Ágota hovers a few inches above the ground on the other side of the threshold with her hair in wild disarray and her black gown and cloak disheveled and flecked with snow. She glides in on her toes and the door slams shut behind her. Eyes gleaming bright green, she scowls at her father.

“This will not be pleasant,” Balázs mutters.

“Your wife has forbidden me from speaking to her maid,” she says, voice low and furious.

“The one you seduced, I take it.” Balázs looks like a weary father all at once.

“It was a mutual seduction,” Ágota sniffs.

“We have had this discussion before, Ágota. When you distract Soffia’s servants from their duties, it upsets her.”

“She also complained about the town seamstress when I bedded her,” Ágota grouses.

“Because you delayed her gown for the solstice being completed on time.”

“And the cook.”

“Who burned the boar because she was entangled with you in the cold-room.”

“It was not that cold when we were done.”

“Ágota…” Balázs rubs his brow wearily.

Ágota rolls her eyes. “I am not to blame for all that goes awry in this castle.”

“You have seduced more fair maidens than I did in my youth, Ágota. There will be drama!” Balázs attempts to sound stern, but he looks too amused. “If you picked just one-”

“I did and she was married off to that imbecile, Fülöp.” Ágota scowls at the memory. “I loved her so and she loved me. We were so blissfully happy.”