A Reborn Bride Pearl Emerging from Dust by Sally Garcia

"Wait, Horatio still needs you to take care of him?" Calliope glanced at Lisette, her brow raised in surprise.

Then she turned to her brother. "Horatio, is there something you need help with? Why didn't you just tell me? I'm staying here for the next few days, so if you need anything, just say the word, okay? I mean, I am your sister. Looking out for you is kind of my job!"

Her sincerity was so clear, Horatio actually found it hard to brush her off.

But Lisette, on the other hand, looked like she'd just bitten into a lemon. The minute Calliope said she'd be staying over, Lisette's composure snapped. Her eyes went wide. "Calliope, what did you just say? You're... staying here? Like, actually staying?"

Her voice was sharper than she meant, and suddenly the whole room was looking her way, unsure why she was so upset.

Calliope blinked at her, then shrugged. "Are you not happy to see me, Lisette? You seem a little... intense."

She glanced around, almost as if seeking backup. "Are you all upset that I'm here too?"

She dropped her gaze, voice suddenly softer. "Well, maybe I shouldn't have come back. I mean, I guess this isn't really my home anymore."

"No, no, that's not what we meant!" Horatio said quickly.

up your room and everything," Valerian chimed in. "You want to stay here, then stay! If Silas wants to visit, that's

Horatio said. "You can always

to reassure her, their voices

pointed look at Lisette, a tiny flicker of challenge in

had been a year ago, she knew exactly what

But now? Now they

maybe even told

all

to comfort her, even making

flushed. "Callie, that's not what I meant!

I

you with him. But if you want to stay, honestly, that's

know you hate the small room. You

was certain