“Oh!” A gentle voice exhales as our bodies collide. “Pardon-” The dark-haired woman brushes stray hair from her face and blinks at me. “Who are you?”

The straight nose, dark eyes, curved eyebrows — this must be Asher’s sister, the Ephraxa sibling. The resemblance is undeniable.

It takes a moment for me to collect my thoughts. I haven’t dropped an invisibility spell in ages. Actually, I haven’t dropped any spell on accident in over a year. The physical collision combined with complete surprise must have shaken me.

“I am so sorry, miss. Forgive me.” I curtsey and try to think of an explanation. “I came to explore the great Ephraxa library, miss. I didn’t know you’d be home. So, so sorry.”

I glance at her face to gauge her reaction. Her features are hard to read. “You’re a tourist?” she asks.

I nod and curtsey again. I offer the first false name that comes to mind. “Lillian Rue, miss.”

“Father does not care for strangers in the house,” she says in a grave tone. “I do wonder how you got in.”

I glance up at her again, her dark eyes staring disapprovingly. Lay it on thick. “I’m so sorry, miss. It’s just such a great house, and we’ve got nothing like this back home, and it’s my first time in the city, and-“

Her expression breaks into a smirk. “Happy for you, Father isn’t home.” She gestures toward the library. “Is there a certain book you’re looking for? I’m not sure what we have that the city library doesn’t, but I’ll admit to not being as much of a reader as Father would hope.” She leans in toward me and whispers, “I’m afraid I’m hardly a scholar at all. Quite the disappointment, as it stands.”

I giggle, playing the part of the star-struck tourist. I bite my lip. “You’re one of the Ephraxas, right?”

“Of course. Miss Ashlynn Ephraxa.” She bows like a gentleman, then takes my hand. “And you, Lillian, may call me Ashlynn.” She presses a kiss to my hand before releasing it.

I think back to the family records in the census and wonder if Asher’s sister is his twin, or possibly even older. Definitely a scandal somewhere, I think. Someone of this age should definitely be considered in line for the business, otherwise. I giggle again at the charming introduction and wonder if I can magic up a blush or two. Of the sexual variety, I’d wager.

“So, Lillian? What will it be?” Ashlynn gestures to the towering bookshelves again.

I weigh my options. Play along, or press my luck? A lowly, charmed village girl can probably get away with a lot on this woman’s arm. I’ll go for it. “Actually…” I begin, letting my voice trail off in convincing hesitation.

“Yes? Don’t torment me, Lillian.”

“If you wouldn’t mind… I would love a proper tour.”

“Ah, so it’s the house you’re really after. I suppose I can’t blame you. I hear it’s quite the dazzling sight.” She winks at me. “I must admit, the charm is less apparent when it’s the same old dazzling rooms and sparkling dishes every day.”

Ashlynn offers me her arm, so I take it. The fabric of her gown is soft and thick, perfect for a lady in autumn. “I can’t even imagine,” I say.

“Let us begin in the foyer, my dear.”

Ashlynn guides me down the grand staircase to the entry of the house. Her gracious steps tap quietly on the places where polished wooden flooring shows between elaborately woven rugs.

The house is, indeed, dazzling. I have seen finer homes, of course, but most of Swyndale can never hope to compete with such wealth and grandeur. A massive chandelier glitters overhead in the entry, with two similar fixtures hanging in both the dining room and ballroom. The furniture is ornately carved from dark, gleaming wood. Cherry? Mahogany? Whatever it is, it must have cost a fortune. Some of these materials are definitely imported, too.

How much of Stonehaven’s money went into this fine residence? How much was swindled from the pockets of travelers from just outside or far beyond Swyndale’s walls? I feel anger swelling within me, but I dismiss it easily. This is exactly why I am here — to fix this injustice. By next week, the Ephraxas will no longer be taking what isn’t theirs to spend.

We glide through the sitting rooms, a small indoor chapel, and a hall full of formal portraits.

“What else would you like to see?” Ashlynn asks. “It’s an awfully big house. I may not be the best judge of what’s worth notice.”

I make a mental note to practice magically conjuring a flirtatious blush mid-conversation. For now, I hope my voice is timid enough to be only interested and not too forward. “Perhaps something a bit more… intimate? Less public knowledge.”

“Ah.” She lowers her voice. There’s a bit of husk in it when she says, “A more intimate spot I can certainly find.”

She takes me by the hand and leads me to a back staircase. It isn’t the servants’ stairs, but it’s tucked away in an easily overlooked corner. It must have been placed there for the family’s use. She runs up the stairs, nearly dragging me behind her. We reach the top floor, where I began my search. I’m hoping she goes for a bedroom, or even the office if I’m lucky. 

Ashlynn glances each direction, but there are no servants or anyone else in sight. I follow her to a small closet, where she tugs me inside. She spins, turning me so my back is pressed against the wall while she stands between me and the door. The only light in the room spills in from the crack in the not-quite-closed door.

“How is this for intimate?” she asks, leaning into my space.

Not what I wanted, but I’m going all-in now. “Almost perfect,” I whisper back.

“Almost?”

“Only a breath away…”

Our lips are a single movement from meeting, but I keep still. I want her to come to me. Kiss me, I think. The affections of people closest to the mark are always useful, eventually. She has played her flirtatious part perfectly for at least an hour. Just one final step, the slightest motion, is needed to cross the line…

“Lillian?” she whispers.

“Yes?”

I post chapters every week. Make sure to subscribe so you never miss an update.