Malice

by Heather Walter

A gentle touch lands on my arm. Heat shoots through the silk of my glove. “We’re not so different, are we?”

She bats the air. “Enough of that. I’m Aurora to you.” “Aurora.” The syllables are full and bright on my tongue, tasting of summer berries and fizzy wine.

OLEEEE

And I insist that you return the book as well. It gives us an excuse to meet again.”

the girl is sassy

But I can’t stop thinking about it—about her. The way she called me Vila without revulsion. Took my arm in front of everyone.

“Alyce.” My name on her lips. Something runs through me, and I can’t tell if it’s longing or rage. Maybe both.

“And there’s only one person I plan to kiss.” “I thought you said—” And then her finger is on my lips. My heart kicks up, fire racing through her fingertip and into my bloodstream. I can only stare down, cross-eyed, at my nose. “I want to kiss you, Alyce.” I can hardly hear her over the stampede in my ears. I drag my gaze up. Her eyes are an indigo-amethyst and glimmering with something I can’t name. The neckline of her bodice rises and falls in a rhythm that matches my own. “You’re the first and last person I’ve ever

AAAAAAAAAAAAA

She tastes of warm sugar and the dry, fizzy wine from the celebration downstairs. Of hope and freedom and everything lacking in my life.

“You’re beautiful, Alyce.” I stiffen. “No. Nothing like you.” She smiles softly. Sadly, almost. “Me? I have no idea what I look like.” “What do you mean?” The palace has no shortage of mirrors. “The moment I was born, the Graces were summoned. Every inch of my body is planned. The length of my legs. The width of my hips. My hair color. I think I was born with black hair, actually. I know my mother was.” She examines the tip of a curl. “So what you see isn’t much better than a trick. Turning a regular child into a beautiful princess with a few drops of magic.”