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sent a quick prayer out to whoever was listening, and jumped.
Death is an ending. It s also a beginning, the razing of the ground
for a new building. I think that s what I saw in my dream. The prince
was perfectly calm in the face of the arrow. She understood the mystery.
Only when you stop raging against change can it have a chance to bring
new things. We need something symbolic for Taryn to accept the death.
Sympathetic magic, like the Better You than Me. If Taryn accepts the
death, the cycle is complete. You don t have to die. She doesn t have
to die. And maybe, for the first time in all our memories, we can be
together.
Rhea pushed her chair away from the table with the stride of
a woman too dignified to run. She walked to the center of the floor,
to Rosalind, and held out both her hands. Rosalind took them. Yes.
Simple and complete. And to think I feared your coming. Thank you,
Rhea said, and Rosalind felt her heart expand.
That& that doesn t make any sense, Goblin said.
No. Rhea stood up and slipped her arm around Taryn s waist. For
a splinter of time she looked up at the handsome girl with adoration. In
that moment Rosalind could see how they had been lovers. It doesn t
make sense. It s insane. Crazy. But madness is just the gods way of
saying, Beware, this person has power. She has a bit of the trickster
in her.
Can you do this? Taryn asked Rhea.
You know enough about magic, and me, to answer that. The
symbol can become the thing itself. Rosalind is right about the perfection
of the symbols in this incarnation. It makes sense that once we stop
resisting, the Wheel will turn on its own. It s like light through a window
I d painted over and forgotten. It took your lover to scrape that surface
away. It s crazy, but it s perfect. I never would have seen it.
" 260 "
Of Drag Kings & the Wheel of Fate
I never would have, either. I d just go on letting you die for me,
Taryn said savagely.
Rhea s hand lay against Taryn s cheek, just for a moment. I ve
loved you since the moment we met. Before then, if you ever remember.
This might mean that I will never again be your protector, your servant,
in the anger of your youth. That cycle between us will end.
But& what about you? Will it make you be okay?
I don t know, Rhea said, and smiled. When the cycle is
completed, it will leave room for other things to happen. Healing might
be one possibility. Whatever happens next will be a surprise. That itself
is a gift. I haven t been surprised in six hundred years.
Will I still get to know you? Next time, I mean. Will I know you
again? The sadness in Taryn s voice broke Rosalind s heart.
You ve always been a splendid youth. I d like to see what a
remarkable woman you become, Rhea said. Rhea turned to Rosalind.
The day is yours. Lead us where you will.
Rosalind asked for the day to prepare the ceremony. The circle was
set for nine. After outlining everyone s part, Rosalind had asked for a
moment alone with Taryn, before the ritual began. She took Taryn up to
the third floor and sat on the bed, patting the mattress next to her.
Taryn sat, her arms coiled around one raised knee, her eyes clouded
with a look Rosalind couldn t decipher.
You okay? Rosalind asked gently.
Taryn nodded.
Are you up for this? Rosalind put her hand on the small of
Taryn s back.
Taryn nodded again.
You re awfully quiet. Is the ritual& I mean, does it all make
sense? I know it s crazy. I just wanted to& honey, please. Tell me what s
going on, why you re looking at me like that.
Taryn cocked her head. You re giving me the chance to save my
friend. Lovers or not, I ll owe you for the rest of my life for what you
did tonight. I asked for a hero and you showed up.
The word went through Rosalind like a knife or an arrow. Hero.
It was the echo of an old conversation, a conversation that had shaped
lives. She had always wanted to be a hero, but there was something
missing from it. I just followed my dream, baby. If there s a hero, it s
you. You have to end it.
" 261 "
SUSAN SMITH
Taryn snorted. I m no hero. If I do anything that resembles heroics,
it s because of you. You give me the knowledge and the strength.
Fine, we do it together. All right?
A smile of pure joy spread across Taryn s face. Yeah. That feels
right.
I have to go get a few things for tonight. Baby, I d take you with
me, but I think you re needed here today. After last night, you and
Rhea might have a few things left to say. And you should talk to Joe.
Rosalind pulled Taryn into her arms. She lay back immediately.
I didn t tell you what went on between me and Rhea, Taryn said,
glancing at her.
You will, when you can. It didn t feel right to push.
Do you understand all this stuff because you re older, or because
you re just good with people? I can t manage a conversation without
smashing things.
Rosalind turned Taryn s bandaged hand over in both of hers. I m
not convinced I understand anything. But we ll work on the smashing
part. Okay?
Yeah. Taryn leaned in and kissed Rosalind good-bye.
It was going to be a long day.
" 262 "
Of Drag Kings & the Wheel of Fate
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
hat s next on the list? Ellie asked, picking up the candles
Wand putting them in the paper bag that sat open between her
knees.
Arrows. An arrow, actually. I think I only need one, Rosalind
said, looking up from the pile of debris surrounding her on her living
room floor.
You think. You have a dream about magic and death, and instead
of attributing it to bad food or tequila, you go arrow shopping. You
don t sound like yourself, sweetie.
No, I sound like an actress who is so superstitious about going
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