Page 41 of The Stars are Dying

“Shh.”

We burst into quiet giggles in the corner of the store, knowing the guard was right outside.

“It was only a week before you last arrived at the Keep, and then he was with us the whole time. I didn’t have the chance.”

“Have you slept with him?”

“No. But I can’t deny I want to. I think I love him, Astraea. I think I have for some time, but with the future so uncertain…”

There was that word. Love. So obscure to me I wanted to know how she was certain of its touch. I took her hands. “You should enjoy every second.” Though I didn’t have a great friendship with Calix and was quite sure he’d rather I were gone no matter what became of me, I was thrilled for my friend.

Cassia nodded, grateful.

As we headed out I could hardly suppress my grin. Meanwhile, Cassia adopted a rare shyness, barely able to look at Calix.

* * *

Only when the stars started to come out did we realize we’d spent the whole day perusing stalls.

“You won’t make a great impression on the king if we arrive late,” Calix enlightened us.

I was riding a high of freedom, on no countdown to return to the manor, with no lingering fear that I’d be discovered, and trying not to think of Hektor at all as I despised the guilt still settling within. We hadn’t intended for this stop to last so long, but we couldn’t help stretching out our carefree hours.

“We’ll pick up pace to compensate. It will be fine,” Cassia said to him, leaning into his side, and I unhooked my arm from hers to give her some space.

As they admired a stall of small weaponry, I found my sights drifting away and decided to give them a moment alone while I wandered over to another merchant. I looked over the small boxes, each one beautifully crafted with burned designs, and was immediately drawn to one that looked familiar. I had to refrain from lifting my sleeve; the waxing moon phases on the black box were exact to those marked in silver on my forearm. Then, above them, the same phases waning.

Unlatching the hook, I found inside a small barrel with scattered metal studs. My fingers skimmed over a lever on its side, and I turned it. My eyes lit up as notes floated from the tiny invention, unable to understand the mechanics, but it was then I understood magick could be created. People could give stars a sound, and each one raised goose flesh on my skin, the pitch like pinpricks. The speed of the melody depended on my turns, and I became wondrously entranced by the song.

“Do you enjoy music, Starlight?”

The box jerked in my hands, but I clutched it tight to keep it from slipping. “Why must you do that?” I hissed without looking.

The man behind the counter finally turned, eyeing me and my surroundings suspiciously.

“Do what?”

“Show up so unexpectedly.”

Featherlight fingers grazed my chin, flickers of shadow crossed my vision, and my head turned at his phantom guide. “How might you like me to announce myself?”

Those golden eyes had started to become a beacon of attraction.

“You have an intrusive habit of touching me.”

“You have an inquisitive will to allow it.” He dropped his hand slowly. “Maybe you even desire it.”

Nyte had so far never failed to fluster me, but I was learning to suppress my reactions. His mouth twitched as though he knew.

“The shadows,” I said. “Do you command them?”

“Some things are far more thrilling to be felt rather than told.”

My lips parted. I could have sworn a touch eased around my nape, and I had to place my own hand there to be sure.

“I must say, darkness suits you so.” He trailed his gaze over my attire, and I stifled a shiver.

“Why are you here?”

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