Melissa de la Cruz

“It is possible that some Waelcyrgean

chose to abandon Valhalla and settle

in various parts of the country,

where they began a new existence

as witches.”

—from Encyclopedia of Things That Never Were

by Michael Page and Robert Ingpen

Renovia to the west; Montrice to the north; Argonia to the south; Stavin to the east.

Baer Abbey lay to the west

“However,” she says, “you cannot remain in Renovia. Word is spreading, even into the distant villages, that the grand prince has been murdered, but they do not know that he was a traitor to the crown.

I don’t know if I would choose this life if it hadn’t already been chosen for me.”

Somehow, he doesn’t want her to move away quite yet.

“So you admit you find me handsome, then?” He smiles,

“No, of course not. I mean, not that you aren’t. I’m sure a lot of people think so.”

“Do they now,” he says. I can feel him smirking.
“You’re pretty fair yourself,” he says as he walks away. I pretend I didn’t hear, but I’m smiling anyway.

Today he hasn’t been half as irritating, which I find rather irritating.