A Girl in Black and White (Alyria 2)

My mother looked back to Samira, who said, “Well, that’s the problem,” and then she walked away.

“Old bird,” my mother muttered. “She wouldn’t know a good time if it hit her in the head.” After a moment, she sighed. “Well, Mother will be here soon after all this chaos. Tomorrow at the latest. I’m sure she’ll have some advice for you.”

My heart filled with enthusiasm. There was so much I wanted to tell her, to ask her. Especially about why she wouldn’t tell me I was Fated. I’d already forgiven her, but I needed to know the answers that were purposively hidden from me.

“Well, this has been a depressing day, really. There’s nothing new in this gossip rag, and this Sisterhood issue means I won’t get a monthly allowance for who knows how long.” She frowned. “Hey, maybe we should go over the list of potential pledges I made.”

I gave her a blank look. “Why? There will be no All Sister’s Day without our Superiors.”

“Well, you still need a pledged, don’t you? You’re getting old enough to be on the shelf.”

I let out a breath of amusement. A rush of indecision was overtaking me, but all day I’d been debating about whether to say one more parting word to Weston. There were all sorts of things holding me back: what if he was as cold as the night before? If he dismissed me right away? Would it only prolong this heavy pressure on my heart seeing him again?

But I had to know why he did it. I just . . . needed one more chance at getting this right before he left.

“Where are you going?” my mother asked. “I thought we were going to watch the fools go crazy together?”

“I’ll meet you there,” I told her.

“All right,” she grumbled. “I guess I’ll be here with Samira, then. I might die of excitement before I ever make it there, but don’t worry about me, darling.”

I shook my head at her sarcasm, hearing her shout her servant’s name as soon as I shut the door.

I dragged my feet all the way to the palace, some trepidation running through me. I’d changed my mind ten times on the way there, but eventually decided I had to address the favor he did for me. Something I could have never accomplished physically and morally. But leave it to him to cross that line I never would.

When I entered his room, he wasn’t there. And with a sigh, I almost turned to leave, but then my gaze caught on a sparkle on the mantle. The sun glinted off it just right. Though it wasn’t the silver that got my attention, but my cuff.

I’d never imagined he took it off my wrist, but knowing that he had, made my throat thick.

Running my finger across the metal, I debated about taking it, putting it back on. But quickly came to a conclusion. It was his. It was always his.

Should I have been preparing for this event? Doing mental exercises? I didn’t know. But all I did was walk down the street toward the Well of Fools. It was the last day of the Kings Festival; a lantern light show later tonight concluded the weeklong revelry.

The sun warmed my skin, but there was still a numbness settling underneath. Number thirteen. I closed my eyes, trying to loosen the grip on my heart. Did he feel guilty for my death? And this was his way of absolving himself?

A dais was set up in the square for the royal family, but it was empty. Maxim probably had better things to do than watch people lose their minds with the Symbian Queen and Princess. A crowd filled the area; there were even a few barrels of wine set up.

My gaze caught on my mother who stood next to a redheaded woman. It looked like she said a few parting words before coming to my side.

I regarded the woman suspiciously. “Is that—”

“Yes.”

“Why are you conversing with the woman who sleeps with Clinton and the one you call a slut?”

She shrugged. “I liked her dress and wanted to know which modiste designed it.”

I shook my head, letting out a breath of dry amusement. This city was beginning to feel too small.

Looking around the area, I realized there were more fools than I’d thought there’d be. I was sure we all thought we were special. That we would remain sane while looking into the Well of Fools. It was the only reason there was a line forming, from people I was sure came from all over searching for the thing they wanted to know most.

What could it be, though, that would make someone risk their lives to know the answer to? Maybe my problem wasn’t as original as I’d always thought.

The magistrate stepped up on the dais, and of course, his gaze caught mine. He frowned, and I smiled, giving him a little wave. His jaw ticked, but then he did the smallest wave I’d ever seen with the scroll in his hand. Some amusement rushed me.

“Oh, thank Alyria,” I heard a little boy’s voice, as some people moved out of the way in the crowd. Henry weaved between them until he stood before my mother and me. “I knew you were too good to let that old goat hang ya. Sure let him draw it out, though. I’ve been staying out of trouble, and here I almost have to save you.”

I laughed. “I really don’t believe you’ve suddenly given up your old ways.”