Page 32 of To Catch a Prince

And there she was again, dismissing her own importance. Talia’s brows creased - she wondered how often Aleria didthat.

“And yet you have, in one day, possibly pinpointed the problem that has plagued their kind for ages. They’ll hire scientists if they need to, oh wise elder sister. For now, I daresay they’re happy to have a good, willing, and talented mage to aidthem.”

Aleria reflected on it for a while. “I’m not used to being praised. It feels weird. I don’t think I likeit.”

She had to snort. “You get compliments forbreathing.”

“I get flattery because of the face I was born with. Not praise for mywork.”

Again, probably true. “You know, I used to think Xandrie was the most messed up by our parents, but she actually turned out alright. She just ignored them and went into the woods. I was the canoodledbaby.”

“Not to mention the littlegenius.”

She grimaced. “Yes, that. But I think the one they really did a number on is you. After Damion left, they focused onyou…”

“Because I look so much likehim.”

They were nearly-identical twins. Damion had never been one to grow a beard, and while he was strong and muscular, he’d remained lithe, rather than bulky, so their resemblance had never faded, despite their differentsexes.

“He really isn’t dead, you know. When we were children, perhaps five, before you were born, he had a terrible illness - the plague our parents cured. I recall it so clearly. Damion almost died, and I would have died with him, Talia. They kept us separated so the illness wouldn’t spread, but I knew when he got worse, and I knew when he was healed, well before anyone came to tellme.”

Talia remained silent, listening with all herheart.

“The day Damion disappeared? I felt something big. Huge. It kept me unmoving and frightened for him. Then nothing. No pain, no terror. It’s as if our bond had been muted. A wall erected between him and me. Yet, every now and then, through our bond, I feel something. Great happiness. Great sorrow.” Her voice dropped. “More sorrow than happiness. Something happened to him alright. But he isn’tdead.”

She’d never really dared to believe it until now. Now, there was no doubt. Her sister was no fool, and what she described was nothing short of proof, as far as Talia was concerned. She felt tears running down her face, although she couldn’t recall her heart ever being sofull.

Xandrie had always been Damion’s favorite. They shared their love of the outdoors, of weapons and wild, untamed things. But he was theirs - he belonged to all of them as their brother, their blood, the man who’d showed them his sex could be kind and honorable, when no one elsehad.

“I’m so grateful you got me out of Malek. I was too much a coward, too sheltered to even think I could possibly go gallivanting around the continent. But we did just fine. And by Eartia, once I’m done with this, once the women are safe, I’m going to go find our brother. And slap him for making us all somiserable.”

They chuckled. Then Talia shifted and embraced Aleria, holding her so damnclose.

“You won’t be alone. Not any step of the way. I am no use with the science behind spells, but put me to work - I’ll be your slave.” Talia was the best at mixing potions, using spells, and recalling them, too, but creating them? She couldn’t hope to do anything so creative if her life depended on it. She was the scholar, and Aleria, the artist of the family. That would never change, regardless of what title she now bore amongst mages. If her spells could be stronger than Aleria’s, she’d be the one mixing them. But it would still be her sister’s work. “Then, when you’re ready to go find Damion,I’ll…”

“You’ll stay here. You’ll send missives all around the world, to every kingdom, and tell them exactly where you are if they’re in need of you. And you’ll remain, for such is yourduty.”

Shepouted.

“And ifIam in need of your aid, I shall also know where to contact you, littlesister.”

That cheered herup.

“Now, you wanna tell me why you’re avoiding talking of the other companion at your teaparty?”

They were both laughing when she heard it in the distance, felt it to her bones. The hair at the back of her neck stood and her eyes turned to the west, pulled towards an invisible danger beyond the walls of thecastle.

She knew it, down to heressence.

An Enchantress,said herShadow.

Yes. Yet, it felt like so much more. So much more dangerous andedgy.

You’re light and you let in Shadow. She’s Shadow. Sometimes she listens tolight.

Oh. Well, that was bloodyterrifying.

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