Moon Dark Smile by Tessa Gratton

Author:Tessa Gratton
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books
Published: 2022-08-30T00:00:00+00:00

TEN

HAVING DITCHED OSIAN REDPOP, who may or may not have been in secret communication with her parents, Raliel had, on her first full day with The Scale, asked if a letter could be delivered to Osian. She wrote, Osian, apologies for the abrupt departure. I have rushed ahead to visit with The Scale at the First Mountain. If you would be so good as to follow in this direction and await my return in Pilgrim Reception, I would be glad. I enjoyed my night at the Silver Broom in town, and recommend it. I left some belongings in storage with the owners. Also, the local grape wine is good. I should not be more than a week or two. If longer, I will send another letter.

Moon complained she was too kind to Osian, too forgiving. Raliel reminded it that to their knowledge Osian had done nothing wrong. He ought to be allowed some privacy, though she admitted his behavior was suspicious. They would remain on guard but treat him with friendliness and respect in order not to make anything worse.

Murmur the great spirit had delivered the letter itself, which Raliel expected would impress and delight Osian. When Murmur brought a response, Raliel read it warily but found herself laughing.

Heir, it began plainly, I am sure I was not concerned about your safety; nor did I pace all night long in worry and set out immediately, thinking my head would grace the end of a pike the moment your father Sky became aware of my situation. Certainly, royal bodyguards lose track of their wards all the time and it’s of no concern whatsoever. I am glad to hear you only abandoned me out of excitement, and I shall await you at the Silver Broom. Give The Scale my regards. Yours, Osian.

Meanwhile, Raliel tried to discover her way into liminal space in order to practice sorcery. Alone in their guest room, she and Moon sat before the mirror and attempted smaller shape-shifting, as they had the first night, and they could do it to a certain extent, but it left them both drained of aether and exhausted. It was like the palace-amulet: limited witchcraft with incredible power behind it. Not sorcery. The Scale continued overseeing her attempts, giving her playful exercises and aether-games, and made suggestions for Moon to help. None of it worked. Raliel could not manage to shed her dualities.

“This is the only foundation I can give you,” Lutha said. “Unless you prefer to remain here indefinitely. I think two things are holding you back: first, it is one thing to understand what you must do to break dualities but very, very difficult to convince your body of it. Your body is the part of you that must understand what aether is, to make it into food. Second, the palace-amulet.”

Moon said, yes I think that as well. The amulet limits me—us. It’s fixed.

“Moon agrees,” Raliel said, balling her fists in frustration. “So Moon must be free or we cannot do

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