Author:
M.J. Swenson has been writing stories since elementary school and earned a B.A. in Creative Writing from the University of St. Thomas, Minnesota. Besides writing and reading, M.J. also enjoys playing music and video games.

The wind ruffled the red and orange leaves of the half-wire trees, and strangers walked on either side of Lysandra, keeping their heads down, never once casting a glance at her. A perfect day for masquerading. If only every day could be as perfect as this one.

Lysandra’s skirts swished around her ankles, and she held them up just slightly with her hands as she ran. She parted the crowds on the street with hardly a motion, and no one even looked up to wonder why she ran when they didn’t. The wind rushed through her long auburn hair, catching it on the breeze just as it caught those leaves on the trees around her, real or not.

The wind did not rush through her hair when she sat in the window back at her father’s house—the screen blocked it. And her father’s servants seemed to think it was unbecoming of her to stare dreamily out the window in the first place.

Rewriting Memory

Lysandra had meant to confront Nereus about what he'd said to Ismene to cover for her, but the day after their confrontation, she felt too awkward to approach him. She avoided making eye contact and escaped the dining room as soon as she could. She didn't even check her windowsill to see if Zephyr had left her a note - she just wanted to get out.


She showed up at the spot where she and Zephyr usually met. At first she didn't see her friend, but she decided to wait there anyway. A few minutes later, Lysandra stood next to the street sign lost in thought, and Zephyr came up behind her, shouting, "Liss!" loudly and suddenly enough to make her jump.


"For the love of the Angels, Zephyr," Lysandra exclaimed, shaking her head. "What're you trying to do, give me a heart attack?"


"I'm not trying, but if that happens, then whatever," Zephyr answered. She held her hands out in front of her, pretending she didn't care.


Chapter 20