The Daughters' War (Blacktongue, #0)

by Christopher Buehlman

“You are no half sister to me, Galvicha,” he said, his eyes fixed on mine so I knew he spoke in earnest. “Nor you half a brother, Pol,” I said, though quietly. I am unused to such declarations, even when they need to be made. But now he turned his speech back to his heart’s greatest mistress. “You know, you really would have liked her. Samera, I mean. She was a magnificent woman, but for the falseness.” “To me that sounds like ‘It was a fine house, except that it collapsed.’” He laughed bitterly at that. “No, Galvicha, you could never abide a liar. You take it personally.” “It is personal, to abuse someone’s ear with a lie.” “There is where we disagree,” he said. “Dishonesty is rarely personal. Liars by habit lie to everyone, but they get reputations quickly. One can see them coming. Liars by necessity lie when circumstances warrant, but, again, this is about context. As admirable as your honesty may be, thinking someone else owes you theirs is a bad habit. One that leads to disappointment.” “I hear your words and understand their wisdom, but still I hate a liar. Please never deceive me, brother.”