My head smooshed into a freezing cold snowbank, and I bounced. High. A passing bird squawked and fled.
Huh.My gift seemed to lend me more buoyancy the farther the height I fell from. My weight decreased and my entire body became rubbery. It was a strangely ironic power for someone who was fat and not ashamed of it. (Mostly not ashamed, and I’d worked very hard to reach that place.)
I soared through the sky, bounced off the snow again, and landed in the forest. Hitting a tree trunk sent me flying into another tree. I screamed from shock, bouncing back and forth between the two trunks. My body felt no pain even as the bark dug into my face. But it was still a strange, unpleasant sensation to have my skin stretch like rubber. Each blow left more dirt and leaves on me.
My ability would wear off shortly, then this would start hurting. Head spinning, I grabbed a branch to stop my flight. Hitting the ground, I rolled. My body was so light I tumbled over the top of the snow without leaving a mark.
Eventually, I came to rest with my feet against an elderberry bush. Weight returned to my body, and I started to sink into a snow drift. The cold stung even though the impact didn’t. I sat up. My heart pounded. I’d done it! I was out of the city.
I felt sorry about traumatizing two guards by making them watch me supposedly die. At least if they thought I was dead, they wouldn’t chase after me. I was out and free. I could walk to the nearest town, find a Bookmaker, and summon Ysabel to save Donya.
With a lighter heart, I stood up and looked around. Fortunately I could see the path not far away. As I started walking into the forest, my stomach growled at me. All gifts came with a price, and mine made me ravenously hungry. It was a weak price to suit a weak ability. If I could make it to the next town, then I could eat.
I’d barely reached the road when a light flashed across my vision, and a tingling covered my body. I tried to grab a tree to support myself, but I no longer could control my own hands. My world went white.
Someone was sobbing. A child. My ears rang with her cries. I blinked. I stood in a little girl’s bedroom. A tapestry of unicorns hung on the stone wall. Velvet curtains covered a poster bed. The other end of the room held a rocking horse and a shelf with three creepy-looking dolls with too-big eyes. A girl no older than six lay bent over a cabinet with red lashes on her back.
My hand held a whip.
I dropped it.
“A-are you all right?” I ran forward, reaching out a hand toward the girl, who had her back to me.
She flinched away from me, burrowing her head farther into her elbow and sobbing.
Of course she didn’t want me to touch her. I’d been the one whipping her. But I would never do such a thing. What—how—? I’d been standing in a snowy forest! How did I get here?
Out the window, I glimpsed the royal stables and Saint Kald’s School for the Gifted flying a flag just beyond. I was back in the city. All that hard work escaping, and I’d ended up back in the city! How could I save Donya now?
A tear formed in the corner of my eye. I raised a finger to wipe it away. My hand lookedwhite.
I’d never had skin so pale. Nor did I recognize the long fingers decorated with many rings. I ran to the window, desperate for even a weak reflection in the glass.
Duchess Hedri’s face stared back at me.
Chapter Three
Princess Antonia knew how to make herself very small. It was a skill for survival she’d learned ever since coming to live with the Blood Duchess. She slouched down in her chair and let her curls fall over her face as Duchess Hedri argued with Head Cardinal Augustin.
“You haven’t even provided any evidence of Countess Donya’s supposed treachery,” the cardinal cried.
“Are you doubting my word?” Duchess Hedri asked in a deadly tone that would have caused anyone back in Sherda to instantly drop to their knees.
Head Cardinal Augustin did not. He pointed a wrinkled finger, his long, majestic beard shaking. “Yes, I am! Embezzlement leaves a paper trail! Staging a rebellion involves moving troops! Either provide evidence or retract your slander.”
Duchess Hedri smacked the royal scepter against her hand. “I’m the royal regent. My word is all the evidence I need.”
With a cracking sound, Augustin straightened his stooped back as high as it would go. “You hold authority over Arahasnor the country, but the Holy City represents religious sects from around the world. We’re an independent power. Any trials held within the city must be under our court system—not that you’ve bothered with a trial for Donya. Execution has been forbidden in this city for any crime. It’s against the principles of three of our sects. You have the authority to hold Countess Donya—for now—but not to stage this ridiculous public beheading.”
“Very well. The law is on your side,” Duchess Hedri said. Just as the cardinal’s face started to relax, she continued, “Now how will you enforce it?”
Silence filled the room. Finally, Augustin said, “Holy Maiden Ysabel won’t stand by if you execute her friend.”
“Countess Donya and Holy Maiden Ysabel are notorious rivals.” The Blood Duchess waved her hand. “The Holy Maiden would probably send me a thank-you present.”
“That’s in the past. They worked together to rescue this city from the necromancer. Holy Maiden Ysabel supported Donya’s election as regent—”
“Regardless, the Holy Maiden won’t be able to do anything as long as I’m holding her sister hostage.”
