The Knight and the Moth (The Stonewater Kingdom, #1)

by Rachel Gillig

But you and me, our sisterhood of Diviners—we’re the moon.” She smiled. “We’re eternal.”

But all he said, mournful, was, “Would that things were different.”

“Is that common in the king’s service?” the gargoyle pondered. “An abysmal lack of knowledge?”

Nothing but ink and the persuasive quill can devise what is true.

That is something I intend to tell everyone when I pen my own book of tales. Firstly, of course, I must learn to read and write.” Rory angled his brows at me. “An army of wits, you two.”

“Her care came with conditions. You bent yourself to fit them, and now… now you see yourself as this terrible burden. Like you’re nothing if you’re not the best, the most useful version of yourself.”

“How undignified.” The gargoyle let out a whimper. “Did anyone see me fall?”

“Bested by a shoe.” He shuffled over. “I realize we are beginning to lose our faith in signs, but really, Bartholomew, this does not bode well.”

“It is not like me to be the bearer of bad tidings,” the gargoyle said. “Bartholomew does not know how to swim. But worry not—” He looked up at me. Smiled proudly. “She has always excelled at drowning.”

“They are to the wind, consumed by this starving world. You should not have come here.”

He sauntered off, humming, as if he hadn’t just massacred my pride in the village square.