Page 104 of The Half King
Cerise’s jaw fell. She would know her sister anywhere, even with Nina’s body softly rounded by pregnancy. Blue must have recognized her, perhaps from the heartrending mirror, because he relaxed and wagged his stumpy tail.
Too shocked to move, Cerise stood there, clutching her towel while she dripped into the tub. “Am I dreaming? Is it really you?”
Nina folded back her veil and removed any doubt that she was real. She smiled, lifting full, rosy cheeks that glowed with more radiance than ever before. Pregnancy had enhanced her beauty, something Cerise hadn’t thought was possible. She couldn’t breathe, couldn’t blink. Her gaze widened uncomfortably as she stared at her sister. Nina’s radiance was almost painful to behold, but Cerise would tear out her own eyes before sacrificing a single glimpse of it.
The veil lowered, and for the first time in Cerise’s life, she didn’t complain. “That was intense,” she said, blinking to soothe her eyes. “It actually hurts. How does your husband live with you and not go blind from the staring?”
Nina’s silk skirts rustled as she crossed the room and pulled a chair beside the tub. “He doesn’t love me as much as you do.” She sat down, pointing at the water. “Now, Cerise, darling, I’m glad you’re happy to see me, but please get back in. You’re filthy.”
Cerise grinned. Still in a daze, she dropped her towel and sank into the bath until she was submerged to the chin. She shook water off one of her hands and settled it on Nina’s belly. The swell was small but firmer than she had expected, like a sand melon. “You’ll have to hide your face from the baby, too. They won’t love anyone more than they love—” She cut off as the fog lifted from her brain. “Wait. What are you doing here?”
Nina laughed. “It’s good to see you, too, Cerise.”
“Did Mama and Father send you?”
Nina didn’t answer, which meantno.
“Do they even know you’re here?”
More silence.
“Doesanyoneknow you’re here?”
“Well, of course, silly,” Nina said. “I’ve been staying in your room for two nights. I didn’t sneak past the guards at the gate. And then there was the maid who let me into your suite and the serving boy who’s been bringing me all of my meals.”
“Three servants?” Cerise asked. “That’s who knows you’re here?”
“Four,” Nina corrected.
Four was no better. What about Nina’s husband? He probably didn’t know about her visit, either, or he would’ve accompanied her to court.
“What’s wrong?” Cerise asked. “Did you find something in Mama’s journal? Something about my father?”
“No.”
“Then what aren’t you telling me?”
“Who said there’s anything wrong? A girl can’t visit her favorite sister?”
“I’m your only sister,” Cerise reminded her. “And I’m not a fool. So either tell me the truth, or…” She scrambled for an idle threat and found just the one. “Or I’ll compel it out of you.”
Nina cringed. “That’swhy I’m here. To stop you from doing something stupid and getting us all killed.”
“I was only teasing; I can’t compel anyone. I’ve been careful with my magic.”
“Not careful enough,” Nina said. “Walls have ears—especially palace walls. You shouldn’t say things like that.”
Cerise fidgeted with her pendant as she glanced at the suite door. She didn’t think she’d spoken loud enough for anyone in the hallway to overhear, but then again, she hadn’t known Nina was in the room until a few minutes ago.
“You didn’t take off the necklace,” Nina said. “Good. At least you listened to me about one thing.” She lifted the pendant to inspect it, then shook her veiled head. “I see you’ve been busy.”
“It really works. It saved me from dream weed smoke and a titan hyena attack.”
“Bloody crows. This is what you call being careful?”
“Oh, and also from falling off of a cliff face,” Cerise added. “How many uses does it have left, do you think?”
“One, maybe two. The link is already worn. Once it breaks, it won’t draw from his—” Nina smoothly corrected: “from its power source anymore.”
