For now.
“It’s better this way,” Joshua says.
“For her? Or for you?”
He doesn’t answer, shifts, passes me something.
“What’s this?” I open the weighty leather pouch. A wad of green paper, Third Reflection currency, taunts me. “A bribe? Do you really believe a wad of cash is going to keep me away from her?”
“Not a bribe, no.” He turns toward me. “Just something to get you started.”
“I’ve lived in the Third before. I know how to survive.” A dark laugh crosses my lips. I avoid eye contact, study the dead landscape.
“You spoke to Ebony about your sister’s whereabouts?”
I nod. “Khloe’s with Countess Ambrose in the Fourth. I’m headed there as soon as I can reach the Threshold.”
“I’ve already arranged passage. A ship will be waiting.”
Silence stretches. “She’ll figure it out eventually,” I say. “Ember isn’t stupid.”
“Eliyana,” he says as if making a point, “is marrying me. You’re going to have to accept that. I’ve been in her life for years. You, on the other hand, only have claim to mere days.”
I face him, shoving his payoff into my coat pocket. I leave my fist submerged—otherwise I just might punch him between his royal-blue eyes. “What lie will you feed her? When she asks about me?”
“If she asks about you, I’ll tell her the truth.” His gaze narrows. “You left to find your sister.”
So that’s how he wants to play this. Fine. “I want to see it before I go.”
“I’ll show you mine if you show me yours.”
Typical. I clench my teeth. Then I shove up my right sleeve, revealing the blackened veins along my arm. Except, unlike before, they’re darker. And cold. But also hot. Burning.
I can’t decide which pain is worse. The never-subsiding sensation that my arm is being sliced open. Or the emptiness. The constant craving for . . . something.
Once he’s had a good look, he clears his throat. Rolls up the sleeve covering his right arm. His veins are identical to mine. “Happy now?”
“How long do you think you can hide it?”
He rolls his sleeve back down. “As long as it takes. There isn’t room for both of us in her life, Kyaphus.”
“It doesn’t matter what distance you put between us. She and I are bound, heart and soul. My taking on part of the Void only makes our bond stronger.”
“That may be. But the longer you’re away, the more she’ll forget. Her connection to you will become nothing more than an annoyance. An old scar she’ll ignore given time. And you . . . you will go on without her. If it’s any consolation, your feelings for her will keep the Void inside at bay. As long as you love her, the Void will not spread past your arm. Remember that.” It’s quiet for a beat. Our breaths fog the air. Then he adds, “I would like to know one thing.”
I shrug my shoulders to my ears. Shiver.
“Why didn’t you tell her? If you’re so sure of her feelings for you, why not use the truth to your advantage?”
Because she’s not a toy. Because I have no interest in manipulating her for my gain. Before I can decide against it, I shove the envelope into his hand. “Give this to her for me, okay? You owe me that much.”
“I owe you nothing.” His lips tighten, but he nods. “However, I’ll do as you ask. Just don’t expect it to change anything.”
I shove my free hand into my empty pocket. Then I turn and trudge onto the frozen lake, toward the hole in the middle, the one that will lead me through frigid water to her former Reflection. My former Reflection. Chills dig at my spine like daggers, the snow growing deeper the farther I walk.
When I reach the opening, I glance at the shore. David is gone, already having backtracked the foot-printed path toward the castle. Toward her.
I clench my teeth, readying for the sudden burst of pain the subzero water will cause. Before taking the leap, I search the sky for her window. I don’t care what David says. He may have known her longer, but I know her better. Once I find Khloe, I won’t even need to return. Em will seek answers eventually. When she does, I’ll be waiting.
Pulling in a long breath, I step off the edge.
It’s only a matter of time before she follows.
Acknowledgments
—a.k.a. Cool Nerds in My Universe
Fun fact: I always, without fail, read this section of a book first. Well, now it’s my turn (finally) to thank the people who got me here.
YHWH, my King. My Creator. My Abba Father. Thank you for giving me this gift called writing.
Mom, I miss you every day. Thanks for instilling in me a passion for reading and for always urging me to write things down. You inspired Elizabeth. She is you.
Daddy, you never let me settle for less than an A in English. I totally get it now.
Aunt Terri, you are the other version of myself. Thank you for believing in me.
To my sibs: Karine, Tim, and April, thanks for all the awesome, and sometimes crazy, times. I love you, dudes. Seriously.
To my husband Joe: you’ve always supported me in whatever crazy dream I had. Thank you for being patient until I found a dream that stuck. I love you.
N and M, you are my sunshines. Thank you for understanding when Mommie is on the computer (sometimes longer than I said I would be). I love you both oh so much!
To the rest of my family, the Larsons, Springer cousins, Pop, and Aunt Cook, I love each and every one of you. You have no idea how much your support means to me.
Carolyn, thank you for letting me read the early chapters of this book aloud to you as we drove to Phoenix. I love you.
Christen and Neysa (a.k.a. WriteNight Girls), I didn’t really get serious about this story until you two showed up. I love you awesome nerds.
ACFW, you paved the yellow brick road to my very own Oz. Now every time I attend the annual conference I think, “There’s no place like home.”
Thanks to Tina Russo Radcliffe for telling me “story begins when change happens.” And to Christina Rich for explaining what weasel words are.
Nancy Kimball (a.k.a. Obi-Wan), you’re more than a mentor, you’re a sister and friend. Thanks for taking a chance on this “inkling in training.”
Deirdre Lockhart (a.k.a. Editor the First), thank you for helping shape this story (and this author).
Janalyn, your friendship means the world. You inspire me each day just by being you.
To my agent, Jim Hart, thanks for taking a chance on me. I owe you more than I can say.
Becky Dean, you may not have worked on this story with me in its early stages, but your help since we joined forces warrants a huge “Thanks!”
To my publishing family at Thomas Nelson/HarperCollins, thank you for whatever you saw in me. This is me sending a huge hug to each and every one of you! Becky Monds, thank you for encouraging me, brainstorming with me, and helping me fill in all the holes. Jodi Hughes, you inspire me to try to live up to all the epicness of OUAT. Daisy Hutton, Becky Philpott, and Kristen Golden, thank you all for everything you have done for me. I can’t wait to get to know you all better. Amanda Bostic, you were the first to welcome me once I received my contract. Thank you for that and all you do behind the scenes. Samantha Buck, your ideas make marketing fun. I can’t wait to see what you cook up next! Julee Schwarzburg, thank you for your amazing attention to detail and for asking all the right questions. Paul Fisher, thanks for your enthusiasm and super exciting ideas! Kristen Vasgaard, I cried when I saw the cover design. It’s perfect and fairy tale–ish and so very me. Matt Covington, thank you for bringing the Second Reflection to life with your awesome map. I also want to thank Katie Bond who is no longer with the team. I will be forever grateful for the time I got to spend with you.