Chapter 33
Marina’s Journal 2
From the diary of Marina Brooks—Age 12
They won’t let me go back.
They’ve flipped through this book, read it aloud like it was proof I did something wrong, instead of love letters to the only friend I’ve ever had.
And now, next year...
Next year, I won’t be there. What does that mean?
The boy with the hard scales and soft heart waits and waits, but the girl doesn’t return.
No, it’s not fair! Not when I was so close. I can hear themyellingtalking through the walls. Aunt Andrea keeps saying I’ll thank her one day.
I won’t.
In all the versions of Cinderella, is there anyone where she’s grateful her stepmother didn’t allow her to go to the ball?
No…
No.
If Aunt Andrea thinks that keeping me from this place, from him, will make me want it any less, she’s wrong. Gale iswaiting. pretend.
Iwon’tforget.
I know what’s real!
He’sreal.
Ididn’tlie.
I wouldn’t–I wouldn’t!
And I think both her and Uncle Orson must know that.
That…
I’veneveralways been a liar.
That it was all just a story, that’s it.
The lonely girl—her unexpected friend.
It was all just pretend.
Or at least, that’s what I’ll tell them.
Chapter 34
Gil
My job as portal guard happens nightly, filling in the shifts that no one wants. My life consists of mostly watching the water, sitting at home, or trying to bury my feelings at work.
It’s rare that I do anything else, so when an invitation to visit the Moth Castle in Eclipsica comes from Heather, I don’t hesitate to answer.
