But beneath the chills and her fright, it was as though the smallest tendril of warmth sprawled within her chest, telling her this was just the beginning, and for some reason, that scared her more than anything else.
“Is that all?”
“No, no it’s not.”
She stood and began pacing the room, feeling the need to check all the doors and windows. She of all people knew that someone could always be listening. There was no silent listener at her door or window though—just the irregular rhythm of her heart and breath reminding her of the thin line she now walked.
Beatriz slapped a hand to the floor, impatient as ever. “Just tell me already!”
Elysia halted. “I’ve been having dreams. But they’re not dreams.”
She leaned against the windowsill, staring out at nothing. Her body warred between frustration and an all-encompassing numbness. The cool glass touched her forehead and she closedher eyes. Beatriz still waited behind her. She could hear her shifting on the floor. Impatient, but waiting.
Her eyes grew distant. “It’s like I leave my body, and at first, I can see my body still lying there. But then I go somewhere else, and wherever I am, my body is just as real as the one that’s back on my bed. I tested it once, took all my strength to stay there long enough, but I brought my knife to slice my hand... When I came back, it bled.” She looked down at her palm. The scar stared back, taunting her.
Her sister, who had seen every vulgar and delicious happening in all of Kava, had eyes the size of saucers.
“No one knows?”
Elysia glanced back. “No, no one knows. Well, Rollie somewhat knows. He gave me the coin. I haven’t stayed a full night with Topp since it started, but he caught me leaving in the middle of the night this week. I think I’ve thrown Remy and Daphne off for now.” She trailed off, her anxiety reaching new heights as she worried over what people may have noticed and what they would do if they realized she was cursed.
Beatriz nodded darkly. “Good, you’ll keep your distance if you’re smart. Tell me what happens in these dreams.”
This was the part Elysia really did not wish to remember. Because remembering made it real. And she still desperately wished to pretend it wasn’t. She had searched and studied to no avail, and yet, there was still a tiny voice that begged her to ignore it all, as if it would go away.It wasn’t going away.
She grabbed her house robe from where she’d last thrown it and tugged it on, pulling the edges close. The thick fabric warmed her but did nothing to soothe the turmoil within.
“I don’t know where I go. But it is not here or of this land, I can tell you that.”
Some of the fear in Beatriz’s eyes lightened into curiosity. “What do you mean?”
Elysia shook her head. “Honestly, I believe it’s a place of death.”
The curiosity vanished and Beatriz blanched. “Death?”
“Yes, it’s dark, desolate.” It was also beautiful, but she kept that hidden thought to herself. Instead, she told her sister of the deep, rich soil that was foamy and cool between her bare toes. How the river sang her the most haunting and eerie song, raising a tear to her eye every single night.
“Does anything happen?”
“I’m barely there for more than a moment. But I swear... there’s someone else. And they’ve called to me. Before I can do anything, I’m gone. Slamming back into my body.”
They were both quiet a moment.
Beatriz came close and clasped Elysia’s hands. “Don’t go to that meeting. Please, I swear I will find a way to help you with this. Just don’t go.”
“You fear them this much?”
She snorted and dropped her hands. “I don’t fear them. I fear what those idiots may do and who may find out. The fact that their little ragtag group has lasted this long without the Crown discovering them is nothing short of a miracle.”
Elysia hesitated. “Rollie thinks they could help.”
“They will get you killed. Is that what you want? To join the others at the gallows?” Beatriz breathed heavily. “No, you keep this to your damn self, and we—we will find a way to stop this.”
Elysia wanted to believe her sister. Her sister, who never showed up when she was supposed to and only called for blackmail. She believed that Beatriz did not want her to die. That some shred of protective sisterly instinct remained beneath the clothes and reckless behavior. But what could Beatriz, who couldn’t stay out of trouble herself, possibly offer?
She deflected. “Mother says Topp is proposing.”
Beatriz’s mouth dropped. Whatever she saw on Elysia’s face must not have been reassuring. “You know you can’t, right? You’re supposed to be the sensible one!” Disbelief softened the cut of her words.
