Page 91 of House of the Raven
“It stands to reason that it may not be as useless as we might have imagined,” Amira says.
“How do you know they want it?”
“Our spies came across that bit of intelligence.”
“We need to keep it safe and find out why the fae want to get their hands on it.”
“Well, it’s safe, all right,” I say, “because I lost that thing a long time ago.”
Amira stands up abruptly, her chair scraping the floor and nearly toppling over. “What do you mean you lost it?”
“I mean I lost it.”
“You did not!” She nearly shouts, which confirms my suspicions that she’s lying. She knows exactly why the veilfallen want it, and whatever the reason, it’s also whyshewants it.
“I’m sorry, Amira. I was a child, and I used to play with it all the time as you might remember. Then one day, I must’ve left it somewhere. Maybe someone took it. Maybe it fell through a crack somewhere. I wasn’t worried about it. I just found something else to play with.”
“You’re lying.”
I blink. “Why would I lie about something like that? If I had it, I’d gladly give it to you. Hey, wait a minute!” I pretend to think hard about something. “Before I left for Alsur, someone searched my room. Did you have someonego through my stuff?” I let all the indignation I feel color my words.
“Of course, I did not.”
Such a liar.
“Well, someone did,” I say. “Do you think it was… a veilfallen spy? Oh, gods. Maybe Orys is working for them, after all. Is that why he killed Father? For that useless trinket?”
“Let’s not get carried away,” Amira says.
“But what if—”
My sister cuts me short. “It’s not your job to worry about these things. It is mine. All I want you to do is to think about where that necklace could be and to pacify Don Justo. He has accosted me every day since he arrived, demanding the presence of his promised bride. He has gone as far as to make threats that would endanger our position in the south. We have enough with the veilfallen. We need Don Justo to keep Los Moros in check. So you see, you do have some very important tasks to perform.”
The way I see it, my tasks align not at all with hers. Task number one is to protect Mother’s necklace and find out why it’s so important. Task number two, find Father’s murderer. Task number three, free Amira from whatever spell that sorcerer has on her. And task number four… Give Don Justo the boot. Eventually.
I incline my head. “As you wish, my queen.”
“Don’t mock me.”
“Oh, lighten up, Amira. There’s no need to become a different person just because you’re queen now. We’re still sisters, you know. You can count on me, talk to me if you need someone to listen.”
I wait for a little warmth to enter her expression. Amira has always been serious, and Father praised this quality because he said it would help her be a stern, yet just, ruler. However, no matter the circumstances, she maintained a tender side. She may have kept it hidden, but not all the time. Not with me.
“You can leave now.” She picks up her quill and goes back to writing, acting as if I’ve already left.
Emerito has remained quiet, absorbing every bit of information. He smirks stiffly as I make my way toward the door.
My heels click down the corridor as I make a loud exit, but when I reach the end of the hall, I take off my shoes, pick up my dress, and run back the way I came. Pressing my ear to the study’s door, I listen.
“Yes, she’s lying,” Amira says. “She still has the amulet.”
Shit!
“Are you sure?” Emerito asks.
“I am.”
Emerito says, “I guess you know her better than anyone.”
