When Maizah awoke, it was to the sound of faint knocking. She blinked the blurriness out of her eyes, flopping on her back to stare up at the ceiling for a hazy moment. She’d slept in another room entirely than her siblings. She’d figured why not? The inn was huge and, as Violetta had said, relatively empty. Throwing her legs over the side of the bed, she slowly made her exit.

Violetta Rivers was the sight that greeted her. It had to have been early morning but the woman still managed to look pristine and alert. As if she had been awake for hours rather than minutes and, honestly, maybe she had. 

Violetta hadn’t even turned to acknowledge her before she said, “we offered one room. Not two.”

Maizah smiled, stretching her arms above her head. “But is it really a big deal?”

“You should show respect to the people that have willfully gone out of their way to do right by you,” Violetta said. It was like she was reciting an ingrained rule she’d been taught from a young age and had not managed to let go of. The words were dispassionate and cool. “We did not have to allow you to stay here for free.”

“Okay…” Maizah said slowly. “But you did. And this inn is practically empty. So what’s the harm?”

Violetta’s eyes narrowed and she finally turned to stare at Maizah directly. She really was beautiful. So beautiful in fact, that it was kinda driving Maizah to distraction. She saw Violetta’s lips move but didn’t hear the words they formed.

“I’m sorry, what?” Maizah asked after some seconds had passed.

Now Violetta didn’t look mildly annoyed. Now, she had a glare so scathing and heated it sent a chill up Maizah’s spine. If her expression was unnerving all on its own, it was even worse when it disappeared altogether, her face going back to the blank slate it had been when Maizah had first met her the previous night.

“If your sister is anything like you,” Violetta said, voice lowered, “she won’t last here.”

“Being stuck-up is a requirement?”

Maizah had been joking. At least for the most part, but her intentions didn’t seem to mean much to Violetta. The woman managed to retain her control over her facial expressions, but her frustration was still as clear as crystal. To make matters worse, the moment the words spilled out into the open, Jacinth emerged from her room and looked utterly disbelieving of what she’d just heard.

“Lyn!” Jacinth hissed out, straightening out her attire to the best of her ability. Her voice was hoarse and a little deeper than usual. She might have only been awake for a few minutes so, reasonably, that made sense. “What are you… Why—”

She cut herself off with a sigh, pinching the bridge of her nose between her fingers as she shut her eyes. When she opened them again a few seconds later, she redirected her attention to Violetta and gave a nervous, small smile.

“Olden Rivers.” She ducked her head a little, voice shaky. “Good morning.”

Well, that was certainly interesting. If Violetta weren't there, Maizah was certain Jacinth would've had a far greater reaction because she was just dramatic like that. No matter how much she vehemently denied it. 

Violetta's eyes trained themselves on the section of the wall just behind Jacinth’s shoulder. “Follow me.”

Before Jacinth could follow the direction, Maizah asked, “where are you going? Would it be alright if I tagged along?”

Violetta was already on the move— Jacinth followed close behind her— and she didn’t bother to look back when she said, “no.” 

One moment they were there and the next they weren’t. Jacinth hadn't even said goodbye and, even worse, Maizah couldn't say she was surprised. That was fine. Maizah had her own methods of getting what she wanted. Sometimes, it was as simple as taking it. 

But, first thing first, she needed to check on Kamaria and Issa.

When she entered their room, the both of them were still sleeping, but it looked as if Kamaria was on the verge of waking. Her head scarf had shifted a little from where it'd been wrapped around her head, little bits of crust in her eyes as she stretched her body with a pop and a sigh. From what Maizah could see, it looked as if Issa had snatched the cover from her and gotten tangled up in them. 

Maizah smiled a little. No matter how much she wanted to tease him, she realized it'd be best if she didn't. If she was really going to go against Violetta's wishes, it should be alone. She wouldn't place that burden on her siblings' shoulders. 

"Maizah," Kamaria whispered, almost lost beneath the sound of Issa's snoring. She blinked sluggishly at her. "Hi. Good morning."

"Good morning." Maizah patted Kamaria's forehead from where she stood over her. "You can go back to sleep."

"Mm?" Kamaria yawned. "Are you leaving?"

"Yeah. Don’t worry about it, though. You two can stay here in the meantime."

"Where are you going?"

"Well, actually, I don't know yet." Maizah shrugged. Patted Kamaria's forehead again. Turned away. "I'm kinda in a rush, though. I’ll be back soon."

Maizah moved with a subtle wild energy in every step, but before she could even fully get out of the room, Kamaria spoke again. This time, her voice wasn't the sweet, calm thing it usually was. She sounded concerned. Maybe even a little suspicious.

"Lyn," she said. "This really is a great opportunity for Jacinth. For all of us, really."

"Yeah." Maizah didn't turn to look her in the eyes. "I know."

"It'd be a shame if it were ruined."

Maizah swallowed and then laughed.

"Doesn't seem likely!" she chirped, throwing Kamaria a smile from over her shoulder. "See you!"