some salt, a piece of bread, some sugar, and cold water. We wore our hair loose and unbraided, with long white cotton gowns gracing our bare, steaming ankles. The coals of the

ging me, then chose a cup to determine her fate. I fastened the bli

the sauna steam and our

et?" I asked Az

r lips. "The on

was I crying? "Salt. Difficu

ed to tel

wouldn't

funny thing abo

s al

gh

_

l. A beautiful festival put on by the Popovas for all of Podentsky, it was a fabulous, mirthful, da

icked up on one of his trips bringing malachite to Paris. She frow

or painting faces. I will braid our hair into Saint Lucia crowns like a Swede. I saw it in a fashion maga

wax ruin their dresses?" I mused, warming the pot of rouge on a smudge on the back of my hand and rubbing the

. "You ki

raiding my hair into a Swedish updo. Azovka smiled

s and ivy and holly berries into my thick blonde braids. My gold curls struggled to escape like

hair up into matching black-

ed Danilo. Like you planned." Azovka winked, running her slender fingers over my tan

s turned red. "The Copper Guard needs Landlo

kir bride price. Did you not think I asked Danilo?" Azov

essed in a fine waistcoat with coattails, brown loafers, and pinstripe pants. A black bowler hat was jaunty atop his gau

Danilo bowed, kissing her hand, and handed her one of the bouquets he was holding. It was of hothouse flower

other – irises. I

vitch's estate to the Copper Guard? We'd never need to send tithes to Bailiff Flogger from Gumeshky Mine or Snake Hi

l Danilo had given me rubbed against m

ecutter since Prokovitch, Katinka my Copper Guardian," Azovka decreed. "Fathe

zovka, I do not wan

ther,"

all Russia to summon stone," Azovka said stubbornly, clapping us on the back.

g dreamily. He helped us into thick fur coats over our gowns – Azo

penny: corsets, crinoline, and Gibson Girl skirts. We teetered about in high heels as the sun shone down like a melody. We window shopped at the market. Yaku

ring in her violet dress and silver buckled he

he pure green stone of your home." I laughed, and we danced, buying p

h, more methodical. But I can make stone sing. It blossoms at my touch. My bones are diamond, my brains are malachite. But unlike my Aunt Cecilia, I will not give into

and placed orders. I got carame

the ice cream melting on my cheek. Delighted, I slurped

I know I bargained your marriage to Danilo. Still,

ha! I am your Copper Guard! Want to see what I've been practicing at the dacha? –

haunting. I was entranced. Ho

d still run away, if you end

t sunk.

own. And I'm not that bad of a coo

iage like an Ottoman! Okay, fine, it's a promise!" she near screamed in delight, holding out her

ack to Kievan Rus. I had a book of Orthodox Saints – I was stuck on Saint Clementina. It was she who h

old tome with patina on the lock. Azovka had the key. She would glance at i

?" I finally asked, f

idely. "A bo

lachite spear will let me do small magick, like open the Malach

o the dacha like you said and borrow Stepan's spear. I c

, then rode her horses – two roans the Copper Men te

uck around anyway. Thus

lock on dedushka's spear protector and leveling t

faked her death. "To hell with

of poking one another on the buttocks and arm pits, went to the training she

loor, sticking her tongue out and biting it t

" I

ay, Katya – try this. Wave your

did you me

it, trust

ioned an O, the

air. We both clapped our hands, ap

a's pestle," I said in wonder.

Katya. Let it rest in air, and I will s

like bells. The stone rippled, the malachite verdigris

spear's tip, and it wept amber honey. Azovka tasted so

green wi

not do

an. You are still my best frie

t be bette

de. I didn't take you

n, I must be stronger than you... it is just what

ink I understand then. I promise you, Katya – I w

finger. Danilo's pearl shone on my breastbone. Azovka studied it. I tried to deflect. She was in a p

like your wild energy, Ka

r honey, and thistle magick out of it. The spear resu

this: say "Fire" a

from its tip. "Crap, t

hot. Good thing it's a stone fire – Rubenya uses that to heat the house

in suspicion, excited but scared. Copper Men's m

n over Copper King – when the statue cracked open, it was

fathers about this

nked. I w

said, softness underlying her wor

anilo. Swear it o

my Ka

d practiced stone singing and spells the rest of the day,

been a