velvety, deep-purple sky.
âI donât understand you anymore,â a familiar, raspy voice said behind her, and that was when Lanadel realized she wasnât alone.
The voice was Melindraâs. Lanadel knew without looking that she was talking to Nox. Just like she knew she had no business eavesdropping for the second time that day. But neither one of them had seen her, or felt the brush of her magic as she teleported herself to the top of the mountain. And as the power in her body ebbed away as quickly as it had come, she realized that for some reason she wasnât strong enough to teleport herself back . She would have to walk back down to her sleeping caveâbut Melindra and Nox were standing in front of the cavernsâ entrance. There was no way to get past them without them seeing her.
Sheâd been lucky enough to materialize on the far side of a boulder big enough to hide behind, but if she moved or made any noise Melindra and Nox would spot her. She had no choice but to hide. And from where she crouched, she could hear Nox and Melindraâs every word.
âYou knew what this was going to be like,â Nox was saying. His voice sounded tired. As if heâd been carrying too much weight for far too long. There was something almost vulnerable about him now.
âI knew we were both fighting for the same thing,â Melindra said angrily. âThat doesnât mean we have to be fighting each other, Nox. Just once, can you let me in? I know there are things you arenât telling me.â
âIâm doing the best I can,â Nox said. âBut thereâs so much we have to think about, Melindra. We canât afford to take time for each other right now. Iâm sorry.â
âWith you, thereâll never be time,â Melindra said. Lanadel could hear the effort in her voice. It was taking everything she had to keep herself under control. She was in love with Nox. There was no other reason sheâd be talking to him like this. âIâm not just talking about us, Nox. Iâm talking about the Order. About all the secrets youâre keeping from me.â
âWhat secrets?â Nox asked cautiously. âWhat do you know, Melindra?â Lanadel held her breath. Was Melindra going to reveal what Lanadel had told her? If Gert and Nox knew sheâd spied on them, theyâd probably kick her out of the Order.
But she should have known better. Melindra wouldnât betrayher. Unlike Nox, Melindra actually seemed to care about her.
âIt doesnât matter,â Melindra said. âI just know youâve been lying to me. All along, as it turns out. About us, about the Orderâabout all of it. Do you know where Annabel is, Nox? Are you and Gert and Mombi just tallying up the body count along with all your secrets?â
âNo!â Nox said hoarsely. âMelindra, no. Iâm trying to protect you.â
It was the worst thing he could have said, even if it was trueâand Lanadel knew that it was, from what sheâd overheard. Melindraâs pride would never let her take it as a gesture of caring. She would only see him as trying to patronize her.
âI donât need protecting , Nox,â she spat. âI need honesty .â
âYou know I canât tell you everything,â Nox said again helplessly. âI donât even know Gert and Mombiâs plan. Iâve never told you anything differentââ
âYouâve never told me anything!â Melindra hissed. Now her control was slipping. âLook at where we are, Nox! Look around us!â She gestured wildly at the stars, the dusky sky, the moonlight night. âThis is the most beautiful place in Oz and weâre arguing about whether or not the Order will let us be together! Mombi doesnât control you, and neither does Gert, no matter what you think. You have so much power, so much strength. Youâre their equal. You donât