Page 19 of The Stars are Dying

“Stay safe, my child.”

When we broke apart I only nodded, not trusting my voice not to betray the brave smile I wore for him.

When Reihan left, Cassia’s arm looped around mine. “It’s so damn freezing I can hardly feel my nose. Let’s get warm.”

5

As Cassia tossed her bedding haphazardly onto the floor, I caught flying cushions and got hit by others, which drew out fluttering chuckles. Removing my dagger and cloak, I arranged them by the fire Calix was lighting.

“Can you stay tonight?” Cassia asked.

I wanted that more than anything, but I couldn’t be certain Hektor wouldn’t have returned by morning since sickness had taken two of my days away already. I studied my fingers as I shook my head. “I should return before nightfall.”

“Why does he demand you so tightly by his side?” Her tone of frustration left me riddled with guilt.

“It’s complicated.”

Cassia sighed. “Stay for rest and supper.”

I chuckled at the nudge to my side.

“Oomph.”Cassia dropped down on the furs and cushions beside me. “What do we pass our time with now?”

I nestled down with her. The warmth of the fire waved over us, and Calix stood, going around us to perch on the bare bed.

Content to be in her company and with the setting soothing my muscles, I lay back. “Nothing,” I whispered. “Nothing at all.”

My eyelids fluttered to the gentle notes of Cassia’s voice, sometimes Calix’s, as we talked for hours, and I clung to every second. We filled up on small sandwiches and chocolates and, after much persuasion, two cups of wine.

I was starting to regret the indulgences now. They coaxed for me to rest, though I was trying desperately to stay awake.

“You can sleep,” Cassia muttered. “I’ll deal with your overprotective husband if he comes looking.”

Awareness snapped me awake with the realization I’d been drifting. Shaking my head, I propped myself up, plastering on a smile. “Notmy husband,” I grumbled.

Calix leaned up on his hands on the bed, so casual and off-duty I could pretend he was a friend.

“Do you want him to be?” Cassia shifted with giddy attention, then she huffed, sinking back down with an overdramatic sigh. “What if I miss your wedding! Losing wasn’t an option before, but now—”

“I don’t think that will happen,” I said quickly.

What sparked within me came unexpectedly. Denial. A rush of something that stirred yet more reluctance to go back to the manor tonight.

“The Selected,” I said to divert the subject and calm my racing heart. “Are they all women?”

“They could be, but that’s very doubtful.” Cassia gave a long breath of relaxation. “When falls Night, the world will drown in Starlight,” she recited.

The words tugged on something in my mind, familiar but without context.

“What is that from?”

“A fable,” Calix chimed in.

“Hope.”

Calix eased a crooked smile at Cassia’s frown of disapproval.

“A prophesy that is the only way to be free of the king’s reign of terror,” she went on.

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