The door at the far side of the great hall swings open. But it’s not Norah who enters the room. It’s Bram. My heart leaps at the sight of him, and a wave of confusion slams into me. My hands twitch at my sides as he approaches, and I resist the urge to reach up and sweep aside the lock of chestnut hair that has fallen across his forehead. It’s as if my body is a stranger, responding to things I don’t remember. What my heart should be feeling is panic. Bram knows enough to ruin my life. He knows my mother had Gran’s bones illegally prepared for my kenning. He’s seen me use unbound magic. And now he’s here at my binding ceremony, where I will make promises that turn me into a hypocrite. The realization is like soap drizzling into my eyes during a bath. A moment ago, I was fine, but now Bram’s presence is uncomfortable. Irritating.

He vowed to keep my secret, but will he?

“Hello,” I say. “I wasn’t expecting to see you here.”

“The binding ceremony requires witnesses,” Bram says. The wine-red shirt he wears brings out a hint of ruddiness in his complexion. “Norah asked me to attend.” She could have chosen anyone for a witness. Why Bram? “She thought you might appreciate a familiar face,” he says, as if I’ve spoken my concerns aloud.

I’m startled by a sudden, upsetting impulse to embrace him. I think of the tattoo around my wrist that I’m hoping will fade. About the way he laughed when I confessed we were matched on my other path.

“Oh.” I infuse my voice with indifference, as if his presence is no more significant than one of the Poulsen twins showing up to my binding. We’re from the same town, that’s all. “Well, then, thank you for coming.” Bram starts to say something more, but he’s interrupted by the door opening again. Norah enters carrying a stone basin loaded with supplies. On top is a neatly folded wool cloak. She’s accompanied by a Bone Charmer—just one—dressed in red silk robes.

“Sorry to keep you waiting,” Norah says. She dips her head toward the woman beside her. “This is Kyra. She’s our Second Sight Charming Master. Kyra, this is Saskia.”

“A pleasure to meet you,” I say. Kyra’s skin is warm brown, and her black hair is braided and twisted into a bun at the back of her head. Her face is unlined and has an ageless quality.

She takes my outstretched hand in hers. “The pleasure is mine. It will be refreshing to have an apprentice for the upcoming term. I look forward to working with you.”

I turn back toward Norah. “But I don’t understand. I never told you I was matched with Second Sight.”