Page 173 of To Scale the Emerald Mountain

“What? We were eight and just learning to fight. Why would we not want to find magicked armor that would fit us?” he explains exasperatedly.

Caison laughs. “They searched all over the palace. I mean, everywhere. Explored long forgotten corners. In their defense, the place is gargantuan. When they couldn’t find anything, they startedsaying there must be some prints or a map of the palace somewhere that would show the room holding the relics.”

Caison is getting excited now, talking animatedly with his hands. “Me and Kraeston helped at first, but pretty quickly got bored with it and started to think the whole thing was just stupid.”

I laugh. “I’m inclined to agree.”

“Thanks, Elly,” Alec says sarcastically, and I shoot him a dazzling smile.

I hold Alec’s gleaming eye for a moment while Caison continues the story, telling how him and Kraeston came up with a scheme to get Alec and Locane off the search. I can’t help but notice the parallels between this story from the twins’ childhood and what is now transpiring in their adult life.

Alec winks at me subtly before we turn our attention back to his brother.

Apparently, Alec and Locane are very competitive with each other and fought horribly. Eventually they started fighting about looking for the armor. Unable to stand it anymore, Caison and Kraeston devised their plan, playing them against each other and giving them each a fake map that Kraeston created. Locane’s ended in a half collapsed dungeon on one end of the palace, while Alec’s led to an ancient family crypt on the other end.

When they both reached their destinations, Kraeston locked Alec in the crypt and Caison locked Locane in the dungeon.

Everyone is halfway through their meal that had been served during the story and is laughing as it wraps up. Caison wipes tears of amusement from his eyes when Alec points his fork at him and says, “That was quite diabolical for a seven-year-old. I had nightmares for months.”

“And it was worth all the lashings I received for it. If Kraeston were here, he would agree.”

Alec laughs. “Yes, and I am sure you will have that same mentality when your girls start giving you a taste of how you were as a child.”

Caison salutes Alec with his cup, “And I’m sure you will still hold that sentiment the day you have your own children—and they are as much terrors as you. Don’t lie to Elly and pretend you were some model child.”

Leisah nods. “He’s right. You were a force. All of you were,” she turns her head and beams at Cescily. “Except you, Cessy. You were always my sweet girl.”

Cescily smiles wide right back while the table erupts with laughter.

“No, Mother. Cescily has just been the best at not getting caught,” Alec corrects.

Cescily shrugs her shoulders. “I learned from the best.”

“Lies,” Alec shoots. “We were all adults by the time you came around.”

“I wasn’t talking about any of you.” Cescily swivels her head to me and raises her cup before drinking. I don’t try to defend myself and instead salute her back.

The dinner finishes with more shared stories and laughter. I’m steeped in bliss with the night and what’s transpired, being at home, loved, accepted, and safe. Every bit a member of this family I was not born into but always meant to join.

By the time everyone has laid the belongings of their lost loved ones on the altar, and the candles are being lit, the children are whining to make their rounds through the neighborhoods fortreats. The parents try to shush and bribe them with the promise of unlimited access to their spoils.

The fire of Alec’s gaze rakes over me while I take them in and turn to him beaming. He walks over to me, reaching in his pocket to pull something out. I think he’s about to produce my tube of lipstick and wonder if he’s about to start spitting filth in my ear surrounded by our family, but instead he pulls out a small, decorative comb and places it in my hand. The cool texture sends an odd ripple of nostalgia through my body.

“What’s this?” I ask him, looking down to inspect it. It’s made of pale, pink marble carved into roses.

“For you—to add to the altar.”

My eyes snap up to Alec and my heart clenches tightly, knowing who it belonged to.

“Father destroyed all of my mother’s belongings in his grief,” I whisper as my fist closes around the comb.

Alec shakes his head with a sad smile. “I did not get this from your father.” He takes my free hand. “When you were a child, I went to the Gleisheon Territory to speak to your grandmother. While I was there, I was able to convince her to give me one small part of Tellisha for you to have.”

A tear escapes my eye and runs down to absorb into my black mask. Alec releases my hand to wipe the damp part of exposed skin beneath my eye. More tears well as I bring my clenched fist to my chest, holding the comb tightly to me.

“Alec...” I start but he stops me.

“I do not want you to say anything. Just accept it and be close to your mother tonight.”