The test of Vesper's new power came sooner than she expected.
Lord Blackwood, the most powerful of the Northern Lords, had arrived at the castle. He was a huge man with a beard like steel wool and eyes like flint. He had hated the Reflection because she was too arrogant, but he hated the real Vesper even more because he thought she was weak.
He sat at the dinner table, tearing into a chicken leg. He ignored Vesper and spoke only to his own men.
"The roads are unsafe," Blackwood boomed. "Bandits everywhere. This castle offers no protection. We should stop paying taxes until the Duchess learns how to hold a sword."
Kieran stiffened. He was standing guard by the door. "Lord Blackwood, show some respect."
"I respect strength, boy," Blackwood sneered. "I don't respect little girls playing dress-up."
Vesper sat at the head of the table. She felt small. Her hands were sweating. The old Vesper would have run away. The Reflection would have cut Blackwood's throat with a steak knife.
Vesper closed her eyes. She focused on the silver goblet in front of Blackwood. She listened to the hum.
Show me, she thought. Show me what he hides.
The room seemed to tilt. Suddenly, Vesper wasn't sitting at the table. In her mind, she was seeing a reflection from a small shaving mirror in Blackwood's guest room. It was a memory, or an echo, from just an hour ago.
She saw Blackwood talking to his lieutenant.
"We will provoke her at dinner," Blackwood had said in the room. "When the Captain draws his sword, we claim they attacked us. We kill the guards and take the castle by midnight."
Vesper's eyes snapped open. The noise of the dinner party rushed back.
She looked at Blackwood. He was grinning, waiting for her to cry or for Kieran to attack. He wanted a fight. He had men waiting outside.
Kieran was stepping forward, his hand on his hilt. "My Lord, if you insult the Duchess again..."
"Kieran, stop," Vesper said. Her voice was quiet, but it cut through the room.
Kieran stopped. Blackwood laughed. "See? She is a coward. She won't even let her dog bite."
Vesper stood up. She picked up her wine glass. She didn't look angry. She looked sad.
"Lord Blackwood," Vesper said. "How is your lieutenant? The one with the red scar?"
Blackwood frowned. "He is outside with the horses. Why?"
"Because an hour ago, in your room, you told him to wait for your signal," Vesper said. She spoke casually, like she was talking about the weather. "You told him that when Kieran drew his sword, your men should attack the south gate."
The room went deadly silent. Blackwood's face went pale. "How... how do you know that?"
"I know that you have twenty men hidden in the stables," Vesper continued. "I know you plan to claim self-defense. And I know you are broke, Lord Blackwood. Your mines have run dry. You need my treasury to pay your debts."
Blackwood stood up, knocking his chair over. He looked around the room, searching for a spy. But there was no one. Only the mirrors on the walls.
"Who told you?" Blackwood hissed.
"I am the Duchess of the Mirror," Vesper said. She leaned forward, her eyes flashing with a hint of silver light. "Nothing happens in my castle without me seeing it. The walls have eyes, My Lord. And they are watching you."
She gestured to the guards. "Arrest him. And tell his men in the stables that if they draw their weapons, I will know before they even move."
Blackwood didn't fight. He looked at Vesper with pure terror. He didn't see a weak girl anymore. He saw a witch.
As the guards dragged him away, Kieran looked at Vesper. He looked impressed, but also a little scared.
"You saw that?" Kieran whispered.
"I saw it," Vesper said. She sat down, her legs shaking uncontrollably under the table. She took a sip of wine. "I think I'm going to be sick."