Page 105 of Whisper of Nightmares

Suddenly, Euphemia’s blood runs cold.

She had forgotten her sister’s final words before she’d fallen asleep.

Now they batter her until she is broken glass.

Everything she’s tried to hide…

Cybele knows.

Or at least, she’s starting to guess.

How soon before she learns their father’s death was her fault? How long until she looks upon Euphemia with the same disdain their mother does?

Euphemia can’t bring herself to accept it. She can still salvage this. She can tuck her secrets closer. Keep herself more guarded.

“Cybele, those are just rumors⁠—”

Cybele holds up a hand, palm aimed like a shield. “Don’t. Just…don’t waste your breath.”

Euphemia fights back the tears.

Cybele’s palm becomes a pointed finger aimed at her nose. “I will get to the bottom of this, and I will bring you back home.”

The ferocity of the declaration grinds against Euphemia’s bones.

She already is home.

No one will take this from her. Not Percival. Not Thurstan. And certainly not her stubborn sister.

“That is enough!” Euphemia screams. “There is no secrecy here. Nothing insidious at play other my own sister being welcome into my home and then trying to break down one of our doors.”

Cybele’s jaw snaps open in offense, finger waggling. “Don’t you try pinning this on me. If you would just be honest—sorry, forget that. If you wouldn’t have left in the middle of the night and brought the entire town’s suspicion upon us, I wouldn’t even be here!”

And there it is.

The ugly truth at last.

Cybele isn’t here because she thinks Euphemia needs saving.

She’s here to save the others.

Euphemia should be grateful there is at least someone looking out for her mother, Ismene, and Atia. But the sting still pierces deep. A sharp slice against an old wound.

But the truth, no matter how painful, is also liberating.

Euphemia clenches her fists so that she can keep her voice steady. “You treated me like a plagued rat back home.”

Cybele rolls her eyes as if Euphemia is being a petulant child. “That was our mother⁠—”

“Yes, it was. But you just stood there and let her! You didn’t defend me. You never asked if I was alright. You only told me that she didn’t mean any of it, even when you saw the look in her eyes too and knew that she did.”

For a moment, Cybele looks as if she might say something, but she stops herself.

“So yes. When someone offered me a reprieve from that? Somewhere I could feel like I belong? Like I’m wanted? Of course I accepted.” Euphemia sniffles, collecting herself and steeling her emotions. “I am sorry if it brought you more struggle. I thought my choice would help you prosper. And as Lady Kelda said, we can send more coin⁠—”

“We don’t want your coin. We want you.”

“Well? I’m not returning. So I suggest you tell Mother to accept what we send so the four of you can make it through the winter. I’m sure after that, the rumors will die back down, and business will resume again.”