Page 10 - My FlipBook

ELIZABETH T AMMI

off,” she spits, and she walks straight into the kitchens without
looking back. I stare at her until she disappears, and before I
can talk myself down, I’m striding after her, pushing through
the kitchen doors with far more force than necessary.
From the side, Phelix swoops in and links his elbow through
mine. “Come along, sister.”
“But—”
He pulls me through the kitchens with surprising
strength, and I don’t see Kahina anywhere. We burst outside.
Constellations burn bright across the ink-colored sky, ones I
know from just a glance. With a laugh, Phelix lets me go.
“Look,” he says, before I can even open my mouth. “I’m not
sure why you and Kahina are at each other’s throats, but it’s
not worth the trouble, all right? She’s a good person.” I inspect
him, weighing his words. Phelix is only an inch or two taller
than me, and his face is clear and open. His dark eyes catch
the moonlight. “I heard Father,” Phelix says gently. I like the
sound of his voice. It’s low and sweet, each syllable deliberate
and melodious. It’s the first time I’ve even really heard it. “Are
you all right?”
“I should’ve guessed,” I admit. I cross my arms against the
cold. I miss my fur pelts, tucked away in my suite upstairs. “It
makes sense, but . . .”
“. . . shouldn’t he try to marry me off first?” he finishes. I
hesitate, then nod. He looks to his feet. “Atalanta, that wouldn’t
be wise for Arkadia. We—we don’t share the same mother.”
“Oh,” I say, face burning. I can’t manage to survive one
conversation here without upsetting anyone.
His words roll around in my head, and he must sense my
confusion. After a moment, he murmurs, “Nora.” That’s the
extent of his explanation. I make myself look at him. Phelix

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