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They were going to be late, and Ziegler was going to murder them.
Nah but she'll be murdered
You must never do that, he said, where any of them can see. They believe us powerless. It upsets them to see proof otherwise. Do you understand?
“Never,” he said. “You know, I hear she likes the tall and gloomy type.”
A horrible, self-satisfied smile spread across her face. “Lorelei, have you…read my books?”
Sylvia rubbed her temples. “You stubborn fool. I’m coming with you.”
“Stop speaking,” Lorelei sniped. “If I’m to die, at least let me remember you a bit fondly.”
She refuses to use magic. It upsets her too much. Rumor had it she’d been quite capable with magic. What must she have seen to swear off it forever? What must she have done herself? Lorelei couldn’t imagine Sylvia having a true capacity for cruelty.
“I’m trying to tell you that I care for you, you impossible woman!” Her face flushed. “Are you happy now? Surely you’ve known for years.”
“How could you not know I wanted you?” Never in her life had Lorelei been subjected to so many emotions at once. “How could I have possibly known? If you truly wanted me”—she stumbled over the words—“why have you been such a menace all this time?”
God, I would have done anything to earn your respect, your attention. I just wanted you to look at me.” Sylvia floundered for a moment. “When you do, I…It’s terrifying. It’s exhilarating. You’re like something out of a nightmare.”
“Don’t delude yourself. People like me don’t win the princess’s heart.” “They’re just stories, Lorelei.” Sylvia’s voice frayed. “You must stop taking them so seriously.” “You and I know very well that they’re not.”
Adelheid canted her chin. “I will claim the power of the Ursprung. I will return to Ruhigburg. I will deliver him his murderer: Sylvia. I will marry him. And then, while he sleeps, I will drive my lance through his heart.”
“One day,” Sylvia said, “you will grow tired of this thing you’ve made yourself into. One day, all there will be to content you is ghosts.”
He tied off the dressing with more force than she thought strictly necessary. “Because when I’m with her, I can almost believe that I really am human.”
Even if she survived this ordeal, she’d never properly hold a pen again. What that meant for her career did not bear dwelling on. It was a fitting enough punishment for what she’d done.
“For now, just breathe.” Sylvia slid her palms up to cradle her jaw. “Focus on me. Stay with me.” I have for years, she might have said. How could she not? But what came out was a bare exhalation. “I’ll try.”
“I have been thinking,” Lorelei ground out. “Quite a bit.” “Yes. You tend to do that.”
You are everything I am not and everything I admire. The thought that I might have you terrified me—the thought I might ruin you even more,” she confessed. “There is absolutely nothing I can offer you, save my devotion. But if you will have me, I…”
“I am yours,” she concluded. Sylvia smiled with such unguarded happiness, Lorelei’s heart gave an answering leap. “That is more than enough. It is all I could ever want. If you will allow me to, I will find a way to ensure your safety—and everyone else’s in the Yevanverte. I would stake my life on it.”
