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Dangerous Answers

I nodded, my words beating tiny wings at the back of my mouth, but caught fast behind my tongue. Why was she asking these things, did she know something about the emperor? I could only stare at the water, the quick-tongued desert girl Arya eager to ask these questions, the slave girl Orchid holding her back. I hardly dared to look at Lilac.

Lilac’s face had cleared, but her smile remained hidden, her eyes downcast at the pool. Her hand trailed in the rippling water, the edges of her sheer sleeves darkened. I dipped my hand next to hers, let my fingers touch hers, and let my eyes wander over the waterfall, avoiding her haunted eyes.

As I clasped her hand in mine, she inhaled sharply. I finally allowed my eyes to hold hers, my deep brown caught in the coal blackness. I nodded again, answering her question without words a second time.

“I’m happy to know you, Lilac.” I murmured, “You’re my only friend here. I thank you.” Her hand remained engulfed in mine, still.

“We are traitors, all.” She whispered.

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