The Crown's Game (The Crown's Game, #1)

by Evelyn Skye

“Enchanter One,” Sergei said to Vika, “meet Enchanter Two.” Galina clucked. “On the contrary. Mine is Enchanter One. Yours is Enchanter Two.” “Absolutely not. My daughter is One.” “Ah, but I am older than you, little brother, and I believe seniority merits my side being Enchanter One.” “Well, I—” “This is ridiculous,” Vika said. “I’ll be Two, and he can be One.” She pointed at the shadow boy. “What does it matter anyway?” Galina grinned, baring her teeth. “Enchanter One gets the first move.” Vika scowled. “I know that. I simply meant it doesn’t matter to me if I go first or not.” Galina frowned at Vika as if the girl were a pebble in her shoe. An inconsequential pebble, given that Galina’s feet didn’t even touch the ground. “A bit of ego on your student, eh, brother?” No wonder Father doesn’t like her. If I think highly of myself, it’s because it’s well deserved. Vika took a step toward Galina to say as much but stubbed the toe of her boot on a rock and tumbled forward. The shadow boy caught her by the arm, his grip on her sleeve gentle but firm. The instant he touched her, his shadow flickered, and his real self flashed through. Vika sucked in a breath. Oh, mercy, he was handsome, all ebony hair and ink-black eyes and a face so precisely chiseled, Vika could almost picture the blade that had created him. And the sparks that danced through his magic! Goose bumps rose where his hand held her, even though there was a glove and a sleeve between them. Everything inside Vika qu...