Page 20

I’ve been making different arrangements for the last two hours in the back of The Violet Lily.

Mine never turn out quite as lovely as Cara’s do.

However, this will at least give us something to speak about tomorrow.

This is the one place we both find solace.

I’ve always felt more alive when I work with the flowers.

Perhaps it’s because the routine is the consistent.

Water the plants.

Weed around the plants.

Prune the plants.

Then, when we have a healthy harvest, propagate the plants.

Make the bouquets.

Sell the bouquets .

Then, repeat.

I find that I thrive most in the set schedule of the shop.

It feels stable and secure, unlike every other thing in my life.

When I have nothing else, I can depend on my flower blooms to brighten my day.

Right now, this is what I need to distract myself from the thoughts of my sister.

Instead of sorrow, I focus on the roughness of the stems or the softness of the petals.

The sweet scents caress my nose as I inhale each one deeply.

I finish picking out a new variety for a bouquet when the bell above the door chimes.

“I’m sorry, but we’re closed for the day,” I say, not bothering to turn around. “We’ll reopen first thing in the morning if you’d like to return then.”

I go on setting out the twine and ribbon that I feel matches the arrangement best, hoping that the visitor will kindly leave.

“Well,” a male voice calls out, “it’s a good thing that I’m not here for flowers, Miss Cale.”

My fingers freeze along the stem of the black dahlia I’m holding.

Slowly, I turn around and see none other than the captain, standing beside my first table of flowers.

He’s in the typical dark black armor, holding his helmet under his right arm.

His armor has a strange fleck along it now in comparison to when I normally see him in the square.

His mouth is set in a tight line as his eyes bore into me.

Surely, he doesn’t know what happened last night.

Killer of innocents, the voice growls.

Do you know him? I ask.

I know his kind—Malvorians who’re greedy for power and follow orders blindly without question, the voice snarls.

Rounding the bench, I plaster on a fake smile.

Be careful, Maeva, the voice warns.

“Well, Captain. If you are not here for a bouquet, might I ask why you felt the need to intrude? Surely, a man of your station has more pressing matters to attend to,” I say.

The captain smirks. “You have been keeping secrets, Miss Cale,” he snarls .

He steps toward me, and it takes everything in me not to shrink back.

I clear my throat. “I am not quite sure what you mean,” I say. “If you’re referring to the new plant species that I’ve cultivated that will be in tomorrow’s window display, then you’d be correct that I’ve kept secrets.”

“I do not care for your frivolous hobby, Miss Cale,” he replies, taking another step. “No, I have it on good authority that you incinerated one of my men to ash, but not with a fire ability. No, my soldier described a rare ability that hasn’t been seen in nearly ten years. Yet, you possess it.”

My heart flutters rapidly.

“You must be mistaken,” I scoff. “I’ve never heard of such a ridicu?—”

Then the bell chimes once more, drawing my attention. Slow steps navigate behind the captain. Then, the companion soldier that I allowed to escape last night stands beside his superior.

All color drains from my face, as cool numbness overtakes me.

“Oh, good,” he jeers. “You DO recognize Antony.”

I smile weakly.

“I believe I’ve recently seen him patrol the square, Captain,” I lie. “Forgive my manners, I’m uncomfortable having the two of you in my shop alone. It isn’t proper.”

A feather ticks in Antony’s jaw.

“Odd. I am afraid you couldn’t have seen me patrolling the square,” Antony sneers. “My brother and I only arrived in town yesterday afternoon. We were supposed to receive our assignments this morning—that is, until his untimely death.”

Brother?

My blood runs cold.

The other soldier.

You should torch that sniveling coward where he stands, the voice growls.

Now is not the time, I say.

It could be, the voice croons. Malvoria would be better off without those wretches .

“Shall we try this again, Miss Cale?” asks the Captain, reverting my attention. “This time, I expect your honesty. How long have you been hiding your starlight ability?”

I open my mouth, but no words come because I don’t know how to respond. I’m not even sure I have a starlight ability, as I’ve never seen one before. If I did, I never would’ve hidden it. I would’ve come forward...

The captain’s helmet clangs against the floor.

“Well?” the captain inquires.

“I didn’t intentionally hide an ability from the king’s soldiers. It’s foolish to do such a thing,” I reply.

Unsatisfied with my answer, he flips the nearest table, toppling the bouquets to the ground. Their vases shatter into thousands of tiny fragments, the water seeping toward the door.

He tsks. “You must think you’re clever, Miss Cale. Not only did you hide your starlight, but you killed my soldier like you were familiar with how your ability works. What is fascinating is that you don’t have a signet tattoo,” he says, contemplative.

My body trembles as he stands a few steps away from me.

“Whatever Antony believes he saw?—”

With a sickening thwack, the back of his hand connects with my face. My hand flies up to meet my stinging cheek. “Before you finish your statement, I have information that might intrigue you,” he growls. He doesn’t move away from me as he beckons Antony closer. “Show your signet to Miss Cale.”

Taking one finger, Antony slowly folds back the tight tunic collar underneath his black armor to reveal the red Malvorian flame.

“Are you familiar with the abilities of Malvoria, Miss Cale?” the captain asks.

I nod slowly. “Yes, Captain,” I say.

He smirks. “Antony, here, is quite skilled, as his ability is delightfully helpful. You’re a clever woman, Miss Cale. Enlighten me. What is Antony’s ability? ”

I swallow the lump rising in my throat, as there are only two Malvorian abilities that might be helpful in this moment: emotions and mind-warping.

“Emotions?” I ask.

If Antony can only use emotions, then the worst he could do is torture me with crying fits or even tell the captain that I’m afraid. If he’s a mind-warper, he could leave my mind in a fragmented state, rendering me insane.

He tilts his head to the side, amused.

“Incorrect. His ability is mind-warping,” he replies.

Everything in me is numb, as I remember one more facet to a mind-warping ability.

It can not only project an image into the mind of their target, altering the world around them, but they can also project their memories into another’s mind. So if Antony came back and watched the events of that night, he’d be able to show the captain every detail.

I’m frozen.

Honestly, I’m not even sure that I’m breathing.

“Oh, where are my manners? Antony, why don’t you demonstrate your ability for Miss Cale? Perhaps it will provide her with… inspiration,” the captain sneers.

Antony is in front of me in two long strides, placing his hands on either side of my face.

Suddenly, a buzz surges through my mind.

I’m seeing that night through his eyes. He’s detaining me, but I’m fighting against him as I scream for Cara to be released.

I murmur my prayer to Siorai as I wrench my arm free of his grasp.

He attempts to reinforce his hold on me, but my pendant faintly glows.

Then, the ground trembles, and a bright, pale light seeps from my skin.

The intensity grows brighter with each second.

There’s a wicked gleam in my eyes. I don’t even recognize myself.

I feel his fear as he runs away. I’m watching him until I no longer see him, but he’s still there—peeking out from the building around the corner, out of my direct line of sight.

I challenge his brother, and eventually subdue him.

My light dissipates as I look down at my still glowing pendant. “ Maeva, what did you do?” Cara cries.

Breathless, I stagger back into a nearby table.