Maybe it’s silly, but only now do I start to cry. I didn’t cry when Asel wronged us. I didn’t cry when I knew we’d have to leave the city or when I realized I’d have to betray the most dangerous individual in the world.

But as I cut through my sister’s beautiful hair, I start sniffling.

Temra has no tears to shed. When she turns back around, she’s as strong as ever.

“Kymora can never have the sword,” she says.

I nod. It takes a few minutes to light the kiln, but once it’s raging with heat, I carefully toss the sword inside. Let it melt and destroy the magic with it. Temra doesn’t move as I do this. She stares off into the distance, lost in her own thoughts.

Though it kills me to say the next words, I push through: “Kymora didn’t get a good look at you. She probably won’t even remember you. You could stay. Not here, of course, but in the city. I can manage—”

“Oh, don’t you dare,” Temra says. “We’re sisters, Ziva. We’re in this together. I’m not leaving you. Not now. Not ever. Besides, Kymora saw me. She knows I’m your sister. If she couldn’t find you, how long do you think it would take before she came looking for me to draw you out? I’m safest with you.”

I shut my eyes, feel tears threatening again. “I’m so sorry, Temra. I never meant to put you in danger.”

“We can discuss it on the road. You better make room in your pack for taffies.”

And she disappears in the direction of her room.

I don’t know how the Sister Goddesses blessed me with the most perfect sister, but they did. It’s beyond selfish, but I am relieved and eternally grateful to have her with me for this dreadful turn in my life.

My hands shake as I pack.

I’m not going to panic. I’m not going to panic. There is no time for panic.

I keep my mind on the tasks I need to accomplish. That’ll keep it off the danger.

Gather food. Clothes. Money. Pack the horse.

I have quite a bit of money lying around the house, but most of my coins are stored at the Lirasu Bank for safekeeping. Dare I go to collect more?

There’s no time. The warlord could be watching the house for all I know. We can’t risk venturing into the middle of the city.

In the forge, I grab what few weapons I possess. A staff. A shortsword. A spear. I wrap them all in a bundle and attach them to Reya. Temra and I take some of the daggers from the shop and hide them into our clothing wherever we can. We take extra shoes for the horse.

“Oh no,” I whisper under my breath.

Temra raises a brow.

“What are we going to do for safety on the road? We’ll be traveling at night. Two girls alone.”

“That might be to our advantage,” Temra says. “We’ll likely travel unnoticed if we don’t use the road.”