isn’t fair to the others,” I replied. “Or to me. I didn’t spend years learning to be a tailor so I could have my work done for me by magic.”
“Don’t be foolish. If it makes you feel better, Norbu is working magic too.”
“What?” The muscles in my throat tightened. “How?”
“You’ll find everyone in high places uses a smidgeon of magic every now and then. Even Emperor Khanujin’s head chef. Most delectable duck you’ll ever taste.” Edan smacked his lips. “Don’t close your fist. It’ll leave scars.”
I opened up my hand again. I wished he would take a step back. He was too close. I set aside my cup. “That didn’t answer my question.”
“Didn’t it?” His playful eyes flickered blue—blue as the ocean in Port Kamalan. Deep and clear.
Edan watched me, expectantly awaiting my reply. I flushed and pretended to clutch my head. “What did you give me?”
“It’s mostly something to numb the pain.”
“Mostly?” I repeated.
With a grin, he leaned back, watching my face ease as the pain subsided, minute by minute. Then he picked up my cup, studying the leaves inside. “Is Maia your birth name?”
“It is.”
“I’m not sure it suits you.”
I twisted my lips tightly. “It means obedient.”
He set down the cup. “Which is why I said I’m not sure it suits you,” he said. “You have a remarkable journey ahead of you, Maia. I can see it in your tea leaves.”
As usual, it was difficult for me to tell whether Edan was playing with me. “I need to get back,” I said thickly. “There’s only one more day for this challenge, and given the fire…”
The truth was, I didn’t want to stay in Edan’s chambers any longer. I was growing all too aware of the mysterious heat rising to my neck.
“Anxious about your jacket?” Edan said. “Your scissors would finish the job in an hour.”
I peeled myself off the bench, stretching my legs over an expensive-looking carpet. “Will you stop badgering me about the scissors? I don’t want to use them.”
Edan laughed and clapped at me. “I have to say, being a boy suits you.”
I opened my mouth, then closed it. He was right, I realized. As a girl, I would never have talked back to the Lord Enchanter. Would I? Or was it Edan who brought out this boldness in me? I suspected he provoked me on purpose. That he enjoyed it.
“Your skill is greater than the magic in the scissors,” Edan said. Something about his expression softened, as if he respected my decision. “But if you want to win for your family, you’ll need the scissors. If you want to win against Norbu, you’ll need the scissors.”
“How does he use magic?”
Edan stifled a yawn. “Don’t worry about that for now.”
“How can I not?” I said, wincing as I tried to curl my newly healed fingers. Now that the fogginess in my head was clearing, I couldn’t stop thinking about how calmly Norbu had broken my hand. As if he’d done such a thing before.
I glanced about me, only now noticing my surroundings. Books everywhere, neatly ordered on their shelves, and scrolls that were labeled and tied with different-colored cords. Pockets of dried herbs and jasmine to mask the faint smell of incense that wafted in from outside. There was also a dagger with a silvery sheath, a thin wooden flute, and a painted horse figurine that looked like a child’s toy.
I reached out with my good hand for one of the books. “Is this your room?”
“Yes, while I’m here.” Edan yawned. “Stop being nosy, now. You should sleep.”
“I’m not tired.”
“Well, I am. Sleep. It’ll help your hand recover.”
I started to protest, but he touched my forehead, and the world folded into darkness.
* * *
• • •
Norbu was not pleased to see me back in the Hall of Supreme Diligence, but he hid it well enough. He was there with the others, cleaning up the mess from the fire. His table had been burned, but he didn’t look half as troubled as Longhai and Yindi—both had dark shadows under their eyes.
“Back so soon from the infirmary?” Norbu said coolly. “We worried you’d died.” He glanced at my hand and noted the missing cane. “A broken hand to go with your broken leg?”
“You’re the one who broke it,” I retorted, appalled by the man’s audacity.
“Me?” Norbu scoffed. “I was asleep in my bed the entire time. Ask the others.”
“I saw you,” I hissed. “You broke my hand.”
“You’ve a vivid imagination, young Tamarin.” He laughed, but