Chapter 2

They celebrated until the early hours of the morning.

When Lina opened her third box of gowns, Mother called for the housekeeper.

"Eve's room faces south. Turn that side into a walk-in closet."

The housekeeper hesitated.

"Where will the eldest miss stay when she comes home?"

"How many days a year is she even home? The guest room is good enough for her."

I squeezed into the bedroom that was about to be emptied.

On the nightstand was an old notebook, one corner of its cover burned.

My brother came in to find a small knife for Lina to cut ribbons, and casually flipped it open.

The last page held only a number.

Ninety-nine.

He snorted.

"Still keeping score."

That wasn't the number of enemies I'd killed.

It was the number of times they'd promised me something and failed to deliver.

The first entry was from when I was ten.

Before my awakening, Mother promised that no matter what color my dragon was, she would hold me.

My brother unfurled his black dragon wings first.

Then Lina revealed her snow-white scales, and Father was so happy he had three barrels of wine opened.

When it was my turn, I had only a pair of dull gray wings.

Mother stopped in front of me. The hand she'd extended turned instead to smooth Lina's hair.

"Your sister gets cold easily."

I stood there until everyone had left before folding my wings away.

Later, those gray wings blocked fire arrows for the capital. They were broken twice.

The day the investiture notice arrived at the house, Father glanced at it.

"No matter how great the merit, it doesn't change bloodline. Remember, don't outshine your sister in public."

My brother tossed the notebook back onto the bed.

I reached for it. My hand passed through the pages.

The notebook hit the floor, and the invitations tucked inside spilled out.

Three of them.

One each for Father, Mother, and my brother.

Two months in advance, I'd asked them if they would come to see my investiture.

They all said yes.

Until Lina said she wanted her coming-of-age ceremony moved up by a day.

"It'll be livelier on the same day. Sis won't mind, right?"

I said I minded.

At dinner that night, no one spoke to me again.

In the living room, Lina unwrapped another necklace.

Mother fastened it around her neck herself. Father had her stand under the light so they could see the color of the gems.

My brother brought over shelled nuts.

"Eat slowly. No one's going to take them from you."

I remembered he used to shell them for me too.

Then Lina said that if he treated both sisters the same, she wouldn't be the special one anymore.

From then on, the little dish of nuts sat only by her hand.

At one in the morning, the housekeeper started clearing the desserts.

Mother finally remembered me.

"Save some for Eve."

She scraped the leftover strawberry tart from Lina's plate onto an empty dish and added half a cake with the frosting collapsed.

"She really has to force me to get angry."

I stared at that plate.

Before, as long as Mother saved me a little something, I'd feel like she still loved me.

Even if it was only what Lina didn't want.

"Put it by her door," Mother instructed. "So tomorrow she can't say we play favorites."

My brother picked up the plate.

I chased after him, blocking the basement stairs, holding out both hands.

He couldn't see me, but he paused at the top of the steps.

I practically pressed my face to his.

Brother, just look down.

"AH!"

Lina's scream came from behind.

The plate was set on a cabinet. My brother turned and ran back.

Lina was clutching her hand, tears streaming.

An open gift box lay on the carpet.

"Mom, it hurts so much... There's a curse stone inside!"