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“I need it for something. But I promise I’ll return it to you.”

There was such a forceful look in his eyes – like he was pleading with me – that I didn’t question him further.

With steady fingers, he untied the ribbon and slid it out of my hair, which now fell loose. There wasn’t much space between us remaining.

I could have sworn his chin tilted towards mine.

But maybe it didn’t.

He was still.

He said, “Let me help you.”

We pegged up the laundry together.

He went home.

Outside Temple, Vikemy’s voice is still echoing across the open space, in a tone that suggests Sermon is almost over.

“Our soldiers have fought hard and won many battles,” he says.

Because they think they have no choice not to. They’re desperately trying to get their families fed with better Provision.

“We will defeat Rhavna and work to liberate its oppressed people, who for too long have been held under the thumb of one bloodline, simply because it may – or may not – contain magic.”

We’re happy to be a monarchy. We were never oppressed. These are lies so you can justify your pointless war against that which you don’t understand.

“The bloodline, and its magic will be eradicated. The dome will be broken. And peace, and equality, will prosper.”

We echo in unison, “The Assembly will prepare. The Assembly will protect. The Assembly Will Provide.”

Vikemy gazes at the crowd as we get to our feet. I help my brother up and notice Vikemy’s beady eyes are now pinned on me. I wonder, fleetingly, if it’s the two of us that he’s picturing eradicating. His nostrils widen, the way a predator’s might when they can scent their prey.

I hate you, I think. I hate you, and your lies, and everything you – The Assembly – stand for.

I grab Eric’s arm and pull him away.

I decide the churning in my stomach is one thing, and one thing only.

Loathing.

CHAPTER 2

The Downed Hive

Ilike being out at sea. Not only is my country just beyond this sea, if you look at it on a map, it’s surrounded by two other sweeping, merging seas. The Palace Poet once said, in some countries, the seas decorate the land. In Rhavna, our land decorates the sea. I love the image that creates in my head. Like Rhavna is the emerald set in a crown of diamonds.

I’m not normally so introspective. I think it’s seeing that card. It’s set me on edge. I’d love to be on my own with my thoughts.

But inconveniently, I have a younger brother.

“We need more readings from Old Mother. Something’s coming, I can feel it. What was Vikemy even talking about, anyway? People haven’t made sacrifices for us, have they?”

“He must mean Mother and Father,” I say, still rowing steadily. “When they…”

When they what? Sent us off to what could easily have been our deaths?

“When they protected us.”