Page 71 of A Liar's Twisted Tongue

“Push.” He smiles. “Whoever gets the other’s knees to bend first, wins.”

So here we are, two droozen idiots, one from the septic and one from a palace, each pushing the other’s feet all night trying to get their knees to bend.

Chapter 14

There’s What You Want and What You Get

DESDEMONA

When Sulva and Ayan collided, Elysia was born. There’s a bit of a disconnect in the knowledge of Who created our universe. The lesser orphia believe it to be Zola’s hand that birthed our worlds. This is untrue. Disbelievers can look to Soma, where the Lucents—Sulva’s descendants—live and rule. Why would Her creatures be in charge, if she was not the co-creator?

— THE TRUE HISTORY OF ELYSIA BY NARCASIA ARSEN

Aralia and I are putting on our fancy dresses when she asks, “Do you have an eye for anyone?”

“Nope,” I say, but I still feel the ghost of Lucian’s hands lingering on my waist. The thought alone brings heat to my cheeks, and it’s entirely irrational.

He’s a prince. The epitome of what is wrong with this world and every other. He’s only ever going to perpetuate the cycle that leads to people like me having twenty scars on our backs.

He’s friends with a Nepenthe—knowing what they are and what they do.

He is the problem.

“Darn. You look too good not to.” She rifles through a dresser drawer. “Would be the perfect time. All eyes are gonna be on you tonight.”

That’s exactly what I don’t want. But I signed up for it when I chose this dress.

A minute later, she holds up the most beautiful dagger I’ve ever seen. Even prettier than the letter opener I stole from the headmistress. She presents it to me, lying on both her hands. “For you, malady.” The handle is made entirely of memor stone, a glistening orange. I pick it up like it’s a child.

“It’s beautiful,” I say as I stare in awe.

She talks fast when she says, “Yeah, I’ve had it for years, never used it. The real gold stuff is so expensive the only people who could afford it are probably the gods, but I figured the orange would go well enough.” She walks back to the drawer. “I have a strap for it somewhere in here.”

“It’s beautiful, but why are you giving it to me?”

She looks at me over her shoulder with a slight smile. “Every leg slit needs a dagger,” she says like she’s mocking a posh Folk, but the only ones I’ve met are our classmates. Her voice gets deep and heady when she says, “It’s only the very basics of accessorizing.” Then it goes back to her usual pitch a few moments later when she says “Found it!” and holds up a sheath.

Equipped with Aralia’s gorgeous dagger, I walk into the ballroom, which might just be the shiniest room I’ve ever stepped into. The ceiling and floors are made of white and silver marble. Windows with dark blue curtains line the wall to my right and there are at least twenty chandeliers gleaming on the hundred some students—who are all in blue and silver.

It doesn’t take long for all eyes in the room to be on me.

I’m used to this by now, being a Fire Folk and all. But this time, their looks aren’t all fearful, or even pitiful for that matter. There’s something else gleaming in this sea of eyes.

Then I notice it’s more than just students in this room. There are adults too. Regal-looking adults sitting at tables along the marble walls and under the windows.

And if I know anything about this school, I know they’re also ruling adults.

“You didn’t tell me government would be here,” I whisper to Aralia.

She scrunches her eyebrows. “You didn’t know?”

Right. I didn’t tell her I didn’t know what the Gerner was. It kind of feels like I did.

“We’re the only academy in the universe for all kinds of orphia,” Aralia whispers. “Everyone has a say in how it’s run.” She looks at someone, but I can’t pinpoint who. Maybe her parents. “Some more than others.”

I think of Arson’s Alley and Portricia. Of Aralia giving her the extra pence. “If every government is involved, why are we stealing from the poor? Don’t the worlds have enough money to fund the school?”

“Haven’t you heard?” Aralia’s tone is dripping with sarcasm. “Our universe is fucked up.” She grabs my hand and pulls me. “Come. Let’s get drinks before any of those Royal pain-in-the-asses make us dance.”

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