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But I can’t help but glance back to find Lux watching me. His ocean blue eyes follow every step I take as he sips from his brother’s wine glass.

2

EDEN

Two months later…

Berries drizzled with syrup glisten in the centre of our dining table. Around me, my sisters chat while helping themselves to bowls of porridge, plates of toast and towers of pastries filled with jam.

Taking a pastry, I nibble on it while reading the letter hidden in my lap.

He’s sent three this week, and I’ve devoured each one, reading his words over and over while grinning like an idiot. I feel like a little girl again.

“Is that another letter from Lux?” Fern whispers.

I startle, not realising anyone was beside me.

“Again?” she groans. “I tried to make as much noise as possible when I sat down!”

I wince. “Sorry. If it helps, it might not have been your gift that time.”

So much has happened since Blossom’s party two months ago. Dahlia left us to be with her new husband, and we discovered the shooting star that fell onto our dance circle earlier this year seems to have blessed us with twelve magical gifts.

Fern’s gift is especially useful, as much as she might complain about it. She can pass through rooms undetected. No one seems to notice her unless she makes herself known or you’re specifically looking for her. It’s not quite invisibility, but it’s close enough that she can use it to sneak around the palace.

Father has no idea about our gifts, and Amaryllis and Blossom have made us swear to keep it that way. Not that there’s any risk of me exposing our secret. Compared to some of my sisters’ gifts, mine is completely useless.

‘For Princess Eden, the gift of remembrance,’ is what the voice my sisters and I all heard that fateful night told me. It took almost a week and me picking up Fern’s favourite cloak after she’d left it in the library, to realise what the voice meant.

I can feel memories through fabric. Not complete ones, and usually more the emotion itself rather than the full memory. But regardless, I can vaguely sense whatever the person was doing when they wore that item of clothing.

In Fern’s case, she’d read a particularly tragic book, and the sadness I’d felt when picking up her cloak almost brought me to tears.

Useless tears…

What I wouldn’t give to have Dahlia’s ability to control animals or Blossom’s gift of persuasion!

“What are you hiding?” Gilia grins to my right. Before I can stop her, she snatches my letter and squeals with delight.

“Stop it! Give it back!” I reach for it, but she jumps out of her seat and skips around the room.

“Gilia,” Blossom warns from the head of the table. The seat opposite her is empty. Father isn’t joining us for breakfast today, it seems. Not that any of us are complaining.

Snarling, I chase after Gilia, but she’s already made it to the tall windows lining the other side of the room. Sunlight spills over her bouncy ginger curls and uncountable freckles. “Dear Eden,” she reads aloud, grinning.

“No, Gilia, don’t!” Every time I get close she jumps just out of reach. “Give it back⁠—”

“Words cannot describe how often I think of you. How you looked at Blossom’s ball haunts my dreams every night.”

“Gilia,” I cringe. My sisters have all stopped to listen. Even Blossom is too curious to tell her off.

“I’m so glad to hear that your sister Dahlia is doing well with Lord Tauren. I’m afraid I don’t know much about the politics of the demon court, but from what I’ve heard, he is a good man, and I wish them every success with their marriage. Do let me know if a new foal would be a suitable wedding gift? I remember you mentioning your sister was very fond of horses.”

“He’s so thoughtful!” Heather chirps.

“Yes, keep reading, Gilia!” Iris cackles.

Embarrassment stains my cheeks. “Please don’t⁠—”