Cold shock bit her middle finger, danced up her forearm, and fluttered her left bicep. Mallar took a sharp inhale. Clapping her right hand over her left arm to hide her affliction, the teen pretended to lose herself in an inoffensive Sterk. The Royal Gallery was breathtaking: all plaster roses and ribbons with acres of gilding. The art was lovely but safe. Mallar eased away from the crowd.

This can’t be happening, she thought. Not here, not now. Her big sister always so stiff and stuffy was in a real life romance. Handsome prince, fake fiancé, a touch of enemies to lovers, this had all the earmarks of one of her steamy paperbacks. She wanted Dido to have a real fairytale. Her knees buckled. Mallar grabbed a statue to keep upright.

Before the room began to spin, she closed her eyes. Mallar had had these “spells” all her life. As a toddler her family made sure she felt safe. Normal. Soon enough Mallar realized she was neither. Quickly she learned how to keep secrets.

“Mal, are you alright?” Dido asked.

As Dido touched her sister’s arm, Mallar’s eyes went black. She hadn’t seen her baby sister having an extrasensory in years. Their folks were so scared to go to the doctor, fearing the stigma. Mal had said they’d stopped in the second grade. Poor kid must have been hiding them from everyone.

“Miss, please don’t touch the artwork,” an approaching guard said.

The delicaty carved bust of Avian, mother of the modern fatherland, wobbled on its pedestal as Mallar swayed. The guard froze at the sight of Mallar’s eyes. Another guard approached, hand on his sword. Confused, the gathering of royals went quiet.

“Lady Blackfeather, whatever is the matter?” Swenn said.

The statue fell. With a look, Dido stopped it and floated it back to its place. There was a gasp. Dido stroked her sister’s hair.

“Mal, make them forget. Make them all forget. I got you.”

The gentle murmur of conversation returned. Befuddled, the guards looked at each other and then shrugged. Dido guided her sister to the ladies room. A dark blue feather fell to the terrazzo floor behind them.