“I suppose we’ll find out.” She draws the next card. The Two of Swords. “Interesting. Even though you’re at the beginning, you find yourself already at a crossroads; there are two choices before you, and you know one is right, yet…you don’t want to take that path. You’re hesitating.”
A pause. Her fingers settle on the Two of Swords, and her brow furrows. Without another word, she draws a third card, the Two of Cups, but rather than placing it in the next spot—what would be the future state and solution—she lays it as a bridge between the first and second cards.
“You’re in this predicament because…you met someone. You fell in love. I see a woman of noble birth.”
“My wife is no secret,” Liam says.
Luren ignores him and places a fourth card—the Ten of Coins—diagonal from the third. This is no trained spread, but an instinctual reading on Luren’s part. I had no idea she would do something so advanced.
“Her family and yours blessed the union, and it resulted in comfort for you, so it was hard to deny. They pushed for it. Perhaps even despite some hesitations you might have had.”
I can see Liam shift. Telling Luren an overview of his history before I left was clearly the right decision.
Then, a fifth card—Six of Cups. “You still love her. The one you left.”
My breathing shallows.
He says nothing.
She draws a sixth card—Four of Coins. “You’ll carry on, hoarding and collecting resources.” Her fingers trail from the corner of the Four of Coins back to the Ten of Coins. With only a second’s hesitation, she draws a final card, one not customary for this reading—it’s the Three of Swords. Her eyes fill with sorrow as she takes it all in. “You do it for them. Because you must. But a part of your heart will always yearn for those bygone days you left behind when you took this path.”
Liam’s jaw tenses slightly, and he grips the arms of the chair. For a second, I think she’s gone too far. I gave her too much, and she drew too many conclusions. And…And is it true? Does a part of you still yearn for what we lost?
“Your professor didn’t lie, you are exceptional,” he says finally, voice so quiet I can barely hear him.
Luren smiles, and, for a moment, the flush on her cheeks from Liam’s awe is real. She’s always been susceptible to praise because she seems to get such precious little of it.
“Let me introduce you to some of my clan members.” Liam stands and offers his elbow. Luren collects her deck and nods, eagerly accepting. The two lock in immediate conversation, and I don’t miss how Liam quickly changes the topic from the reading.
As we reenter the room, they’re deep in discussion of reading theory. I allow them to stride off together toward the two other members of Clan Star whom Liam came with. Liam’s hand rests on the small of Luren’s back as he introduces her to them. And, just as I suspected, the moment he shows significant interest, eyes begin to drift their way. AsClan Star huddles around her, lowering their voices, heads turn at what suddenly has them so excited.
The rest of the gathering goes off without a hitch.
Days pass, and I see more of the noble students taking a fresh interest in Luren. But from what she tells me and Sorza after classes, she’s focused on preserving her connection with Liam—even going so far as to write him and the clan letters.
One day, after class, I’m stopped by Vaduin. His expression has my heart pacing instantly.
“What?” I ask.
“I could ask you the same.” His voice drops. “You’ve been summoned by the headmaster.”
It’s been a few days since I last saw Kaelis. Not since the party, now that I think about it. We’ve both been busy preparing for All Coins Day.
“I’m sure it’s nothing.” I shrug, even though I very much doubt that to be the case.
“Let me know if it’s not.”
I nod. While I’ve little interest in running to Vaduin and spilling the details of what happens between Kaelis and myself, I have increasingly come to trust the Worldkeepers, thanks to the help they’ve been with Gregor’s mission, their acceptance of Sorza, and the tender care they’ve given Arina. The idea of passing along anything concerning is no longer as grating as it once was.
The entire time I’m on my way to Kaelis’s apartments—using the proper route across the bridge, not the one inside it—I’m wondering what could possibly have him summoning me formally. Knowing Kaelis, it’s probably that he wants to have dinner and is just asking for the pleasure of my company in the most ridiculous way possible, given that I’ve been too busy preparing students for All Coins Day, writingrecommendations for students to clan lords and ladies, working with Luren and Sorza, and trying to figure out inking the vessel to make time to see him.
I’m fighting a laugh as I open the door, carrying on through the entry to his main apartment. I imagine him waiting for me with his little self-satisfied smile and a content cat on his lap. But the smile quickly falls from my face when I see him leaning against the far couch, elbows draped over the back, expression severe, and five golden cards laid out on the table before him.
One of the five cards is my forgery of Death. The forgery I’d yet to find a moment to replace among everything else I’m trying to manage.
He locks eyes with me, expression cold and unwavering. “There has been a deception.”
Chapter 49
