Page 159 of A Thief Among Fae

I pick it up. It’s surprisingly light and warm like it’s been sitting in sunlight. “I don’t know.” I set it back down.

Evie fishes out a ruby-studded bracelet and spins it. Red refractions dance across her cheeks and along the walls. “This is unbelievable. What will we do with it all?”

“Sell it. Most of it, anyway. You and Mom can keep your favorites. Don’t wear any of it until you move to Mythos. People here would ask too many questions.”

“Move to Mythos.” She snorts, but it’s an endearing snort that befits a lady. “We can’t farm in the city. There would be nowhere to pickle the produce or skin the chickens. I don’t imagine people there have gardens.”

I’m exasperated that she still doesn’t understand. “We don’t need to farm anymore. You can do anything you want, court anyone you want. You can take up embroidery and gossip into the night with the noblewomen. Think of the balls you’d be invited to. Maybe you’ll even dance with Prince Ronan.” I wiggle my brows, eliciting a giggle from her.

“I don’t know, Cyn.” I can tell she’s warming up to the idea as she scoops up a handful of antiquated gold marks, her brown eyes blooming wide with hope. “We’d have to leave everything we’ve ever known behind.”

“And isn’t that exciting?” I take her hands and spin her around the room as if waltzing, even though I’ve never learned one. “You’ll be safe there. I won’t have to worry anymore.”

“Worry about what?”

My feet falter, but she doesn’t notice. “About how you’re doing when I travel.”

Evie freezes, the hurt raw on her face. “You just got back, and you want to leave again?”

“No, not immediately. But I’ve always wanted to see the world. You can come with me.” To be honest, that’s not an idea I had in mind, but if bringing her along would make her happy, I’d do it. “I want to help you choose a manor. And I’d visit often.”

If she asks me to define often, I don’t know if she’ll like the answer. But I won’t forget about home. I hope she knows that.

“Cynthia,” she whines. “We aren’t strong enough to travel the continent. We have Average magic, barely any weapon proficiency, and our parents would be lost without us.”

The daggers on the table unsheathe and lift into the air. I spin them in a perfect arc, ignoring the headache that reminds me I’m still recovering. “I’ve trained. Average Gifts aren’t weak, if you learn how to use them.” It took me long enough to learn that lesson from Desmond.

Evie looks impressed, but it subsides into anxiety again. “You can’t convince me you got any of this legally.”

“Does it matter?”

She hesitates. “I do really like the tiara. And if you sold some of this, could I commission a gown to match?”

“Anything you want. Even a brocade bodice.”

Then a wave of guilt consumes me. The bodice.

“What?” Evie asks as my face pales.

I swallow. “We can travel to heal your scar.”

With everything else on my mind, I had forgotten about it. Gods, that makes me feel so selfish. She’s wearing a shawl up to her jaw that hides the blackened veins in her neck. Is she ashamed of it? The thought makes me want to throw up with guilt.

“We can afford the best healers now. And wherever those healers are, I’ll take you there.”

She stares down at her chest. “Oh. I suppose we can. I think I’d like that.” Then she smiles, and everything feels right again, even if that means staying home for longer.

“Want to go find Mom?” I ask her.

“I didn’t finish my chores!”

“Forget chores! We never have to do them again!”

My words must’ve sounded harsh when I meant them to be encouraging, because she pulls away from me.

“I’m sorry, Evie. It’s just been a long few weeks.”

She nods, too forgiving for me to deserve. “Maybe you can tell me about it?”