I frown, because for a moment, I don’t understand the question—and then I remember that I have guests in the palace, and almost no staff to stop them from roaming.
I snap my head around. Jory and Asher are in the doorway. Their eyes are a little wide, a little confused, a little concerned. I have no idea how much they’ve seen or how much they’ve figured out, but it’s clearly beenenough.
Rage and panic go to war in my chest. Itold themto stay put. I don’t know what to say. I don’t know how to react.
I know it would beverybad for my sister to have a reaction to their presence. I never know how strangers will affect Victoria.
Jory’s eyes go a bit soft. “Ky. I’m sorry—”
I lift a hand and shake my head sharply.
Her eyes widen, but then she nods.
“Ky?” says Victoria.
I turn back to face her. Her eyes, the same honey brown as mine, look right into my face, never quite making eye contact.
I keep my voice low. I have to clear my throat. “Yeah.”
“Who are they?”
“They are...friends. Jory. And Asher.” I hesitate, wondering how much to share. “They will be staying with me in the palace for a short while.”
She shuffles her tiles again. “I want them to sit down.”
Well, I don’t.
Introducing new variables to Victoria’s environment is always risky. But refusing her is risky, too. Especially since she’s already seen them.
“Just until Norla comes back,” I say. “Then they have to leave.” I look back over my shoulder. “Come. Sit. Say nothing. Touch nothing.” I keep my voice soft, but I leave no room for disobedience in my tone.
“Why do you tell them this?” says Victoria.
“Because I don’t want them to break your tiles.”
Asher and Jory sit.
“The red and black is still missing,” Victoria says.
Jory points. “It’s there.”
I smack a hand over my face, then drag it down.
Victoria looks up, then follows Jory’s finger. And indeed, there is the red and black piece, just under her left foot.
“I wanted to find it,” she says.
“Oh!” says Jory. “I’m—”
I shake my head at her, then hold my breath.
But Victoria only takes the line of tiles she’s already arranged and scrambles them all up in a pile again.
“I’ll start over,” she says.
“That will be more fun,” I say.
Jory’s mouth is clamped shut now, but she looks between the two of us, then glances at Asher.
