Chapter 13: Pour It Out

Dahlia held the cup out until her arm began to shake.

I took it from her and smelled it.

Plum and red wine, and under them something green and bitter that I knew from the cellar book.

"You came a long way for a toast," I said.

"I came to make peace." Her blue eyes filled. "We're sisters, Thea. We shouldn't be like this."

"Then drink yours first."

"Don't be silly."

"I'm not being silly. Drink."

She gave a small, hurt laugh. "I'm not thirsty."

"Neither am I."

I tipped my cup out onto the step, and the wine ran between us in a dark line.

Then I took her cup out of her fingers and tipped that out too.

Dahlia stared at the puddle.

Her hand went up to her collar and found nothing there but skin.

"Lost something?" I asked.

"Mother's pendant," she said. "I can't find it anywhere. Have you seen it, Thea?"

"No."

I watched her face while she decided whether I was lying.

"You look cold without it," I said.

Something went across her face, quick and flat and ugly.

Then the sweetness came down over it again.

"They'll come back to you, you know," she said softly. "Men like that always do. And then they'll leave again."

"Go home, Dahlia."

She stood and shook out her cloak.

The gate creaked, and Elias came up the lane leading two horses, with Nolan beside him and Corin between them carrying a bag.

Dahlia's whole face lit up. "Corin, darling, I've been so..."

Corin walked right past her, ignoring her completely.

Nolan did not look at her at all.

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