Mina barely slept that night. Jia let her stay in her room, talked to her kindly, and brought her water to drink. Mina assured Jia that Magnus hadn't hurt her—not physically, at least—but she couldn't explain much more than that. She still didn't know what had caused that reaction in Magnus.

The way he had looked at her made her shiver, even now. It wasn't the same awestruck, mesmerized look he had when their eyes met. He looked at her like he was betrayed, like she wasn't the girl he had grown to care for, and it terrified her. Was it something she did?

When she arrived at his door, she could already sense a shift in the air. It felt colder and heavier, though she figured it was just in her head. Sylvan sat in the sitting room as usual, and from the way he slumped in his seat, she could tell that he also had a restless night.

"He's not seeing anyone today," Sylvan murmured, but Mina approached the bedroom door anyway.

"Magnus?" she called through the door, tapping gently. "Magnus, I'm here."

The silence hurt more than any words could have.

"Mag, if I did something to hurt you, I'm sorry. I never meant to. I don't want..."

To hurt him? How could she say that when she still kept the Virethorn poison hidden under her bed? Her arm still ached where it had touched her and from the lie she continued to hold inside. She felt on the verge of tears.

"Magnus, please...talk to me."

The silence persisted. She shut her eyes and leaned her forehead against the door. Her hair was still braided from the night before, but some strands had come loose and fell over her forehead and eyes. He was so close and yet so distant from her. She didn't know separation, no matter how small, would hurt this much. Maybe it was because he never hid anything from her until now. His door was always open. He was always ready to give.

"Mina..." His voice finally came, strong but still gentle. "Just give me some time. Please."

She pressed her palms to the door. "I'll wait for you."

He didn't respond anymore, so she forced herself to step away, the pain lingering in her chest.

Sylvan watched her keenly. She was either an excellent actress or she really was different like Magnus had hoped.

"He remembered you," Sylvan finally said, his voice calm but with a slight edge. "And I'm certain you haven't forgotten that day."

Mina stilled, her blood turning to ice. He didn't have to say more for her to know what he was talking about. She could feel the panic start to rise, but she used all her willpower to force it down. She turned slowly to face Sylvan.

"You don't know anything about me," she bit back, covering her fear with bitterness.

Sylvan rose and stepped toward her, making her more defensive. "Is that why you're here?" His voice was barely above a whisper, and his hand rested on the top of his sword.

"I'd never hurt him." She hurled the words out with so much intensity that she almost believed it herself.

Sylvan stopped his approach but kept his eyes fixed on her. "Look me in the eyes and tell me that you had no ulterior motives when you came here."

Her mouth went dry as her mind raced. She was an awful liar when put on the spot, and she struggled to come up with another half truth.

"I...didn't expect to care for him. More than I was supposed to."

Sylvan's eyes narrowed slightly. "That doesn't answer my question."

Mina's fingers pulled at her hair, fraying Magnus's braids. "You think I planned all this? I never thought he'd notice me, but much less care..." Her voice faltered at the end.

Sylvan didn't waver. "So, did he change your heart or did you just change your mind?"

She couldn't answer that because she didn't even know herself. Had she changed? The pain of Kirian's death still lingered down to her bones. But she didn't look at Magnus with the same loathing that she used to. So which part was the lie? Had she too skillfully wove truths in with the lies that she could no longer separate it without completely tearing it all apart?

Feeling pushed to the point of breaking, she brushed past Sylvan and out the door to get out of the suffocating room as quickly as she could. He didn't try to stop her. He knew he'd gotten all he could out of her.

It was over. They knew who she really was and even though her rebel loyalties hadn't been revealed yet, she knew it was only a matter of time. Sylvan was already suspicious, and he would no doubt start digging some more to find out what else she was hiding. As soon as that information reached the wrong people, she'd be dead.

Magnus had said to give him time. To do what? Did knowing that change his view of her? Had this shattered the trust she had worked so hard to build up? Would he turn her in himself? She so badly wanted to believe that he'd keep her safe like he had been doing, but even she knew how unfair it would be to expect that of him.

Mina spent the rest of the day cleaning with Sophie and Ivy. She didn't have to, but she knew her thoughts would eat her alive if she spent any more time alone. Sophie was enthralled to have her partner back and talked up a storm about anything and everything, hardly pausing to even catch a breath. Mina never thought she'd miss the chatter, but she welcomed it as a distraction from the heaviness weighing on her heart.

Ivy, petty and bitter as always, tried to make jabs at Mina, insisting that Magnus had grown tired of her already and was ready to move onto the next girl. Mina opted not to respond and instead allowed Sophie to unleash a series of tongue lashings riddled with extremely colorful language. Mina hid a small grateful smile behind her hair as she continued to clean.

Mina waited for a call, but nothing came all day. As she settled into bed, she pulled the ribbon from her hair, letting loose what was left of her braids. She hesitated for a moment before tucking the ribbon between the pages of the book Magnus had given her.

"Is that from him again?" Sophie questioned.

Mina nodded silently, sliding the book back under her bed next to her carving set. As she lay back down, she could still feel Sophie's eyes on her.

"What?" Mina sighed, glancing over.

Sophie picked at her lip. "Have you been okay? I know I spent most of today talking about me, but I figured you wouldn't want Ivy listening in on whatever's going on."

"You're right about that."

Sophie tilted her head. "So?"

Mina hesitated, not knowing how to start. How much should she tell Sophie? Would she recoil at the truth about her as well? Could she be trusted?

"You don't have to talk about it if you don't want to," Sophie murmured, tucking an arm under her head as she laid down.

"I just...don't know. I don't know why he..."

"Did you have a fight?"

Mina shook her head. "He saw a part of me that I've kept hidden and it scared him. And I think if he really knew everything else, he'd never look at me the same way again."

Sophie was quiet for a moment, trying to decipher what she meant. "I doubt that. Maybe it was shocking at first, but he'll come back to you if that's what you're worried about."

Mina picked at her hair. "What if I don't want him to?"

"Why? Is it unreciprocated? Because that's fine too."

Mina shut her eyes, the ache sharpening in her chest. She wasn't sure how to answer that.

"I think I'd only bring him trouble," she finally admitted.

Sophie could feel the heaviness of Mina's words, and she reached out to touch her hand. Mina didn't recoil and instead held onto Sophie's tender warmth.

"I think," Sophie murmured. "you've spent too long carrying everything alone, that it feels wrong when someone tries to carry it with you."

Mina didn't open her eyes, but she felt Sophie's words down to her core. She squeezed her hand.

"But you don't have to be scared," Sophie continued. "Everyone has an unpleasant side that they don't want others to see. Some are easier to hide than others, but the truth comes out eventually. And those who stick around especially when things aren't as pretty as the real ones."

Mina opened her eyes, staring through the darkness. "I never thought I'd have a place anywhere, much less here. Nothing I've ever known lasts. No one stays."

Sophie rubbed her thumb on the back of Mina's hand. "I certainly hope you stay. I care for you, Jia cares for you, and he definitely cares about you. It may not be perfect, but maybe it doesn't have to be. Maybe it could be home."

Mina's breath caught in her throat. Could it be true? Could she leave another past life behind and start anew? Mina turned to look at Sophie. Would she stay? Would Magnus?

"Thank you," Mina whispered.

Sophie grinned. "Anytime, Mina."