Page 78 of The Stars are Dying

“Your attendance here has caused quite the stir. We have never had someone so high in status as a reigning lord’s daughter competing.”

I wrung my hands, hoping we were almost there since I’d avoided the topic of myupbringingso far. “I’ve heard,” I said. “My mother lost her life far too soon because of a soulless attack. You say they are bound by law not to kill, but when a human is left with only a few years of many decades, how is that not a death sentence?”

Drystan contemplated for a few strides of silence. His hands were clasped behind him in a dominant poise, but he was not intimidating. “I too know what it’s like to lose a parent too soon,” he said.

My breath came shallow. Of all the new customs and faces and lands to overwhelm me, I hadn’t considered the absence of a queen. Before I could voice my condolences, he went on.

“Did you find the vampire responsible?”

I wasn’t thinking of my lie as I answered quietly, “Yes.” The image of Cassia in the grip of the soulless weakened my knees.

“Did it help…?” Drystan stalled, and I shifted my gaze to find his brows drawn in contemplation. “Ending them, as I assume you did. Did it help you?”

A layer had been peeled back on the prince that was both heartwarming to glimpse and terrifying. I wondered who had wronged him so truly to have inspired this unfulfilled sense of retribution.

“No,” I said honestly.

He met my stare, and for a heartbeat there was no distance, just two desolate souls who didn’t know what it would take to feel whole again. A few seconds of exposed vulnerability.

Until we firmed our guards.

We walked into a massive domed hall. It wasn’t the size that daunted me, but the exceedingly large round table illuminated at the far end, hosting the four other Selected, who stood upon our entrance while the king remained seated. Their impassive gazes slipped from the prince to me with distaste.

Arriving with him was not my choice.

As if it matters what interest the prince has in me.

I was doused with a heat that slicked my skin when the prince didn’t move away from me. To my horror, he escorted me right to my seat, his hand hovering on my back, just shy of touching. It didn’t go unnoticed by anyone. I wanted to run from that room with their attention targeting us, wondering why he’d cared to seat me as if I were a lady of the court.

Until forms grew from the shadows.

Humans.

“My Golden Guard,” the king announced.

Drystan hadn’t moved from behind me. His presence vibrated my awareness through the tall back of my chair. One by one the guards stopped behind each of the Selected in the same manner. My attention slipped to Rose, but she remained unyielding to the man that loomed behind her.

Inside I was shaking. I couldn’t place what was off about their stillness.

“You have each been assigned a guard to ensure your protection as you traverse the city. The vampires beyond can’t always be…checked.You won’t often see your guard, so don’t bother trying to seek them out for help.”

It dawned on me then. There were only four in the Golden Guard…

Is Drystan assigned to me?

I would rather take my chances, but that didn’t seem to be an option. Yet why would the crown prince accept a role below his station?Amusement, likely.

My palms were clammy and I wrung them as a servant leaned over, placing a small ornate glass in front of me. I skipped my gaze across to notice the others had one too, and that theirs were empty.

I blinked. My mind was reeling so far and fast that I was absent and at risk of missing important information.

“Drink, Cassia,” Drystan said, though he didn’t lean down; his words blew sand across my neck.

I picked up the glass, bringing it to my lips.

The liquid stung my throat, and I put in every effort not to make a twisted expression as I set the glass down. Taking a deep breath, I caught the king’s small smile, not sure of why he watched me, but I curved my spine with false confidence nonetheless.

“As you are all fed and rested and have had the opportunity to become acquainted…” the king sang, and I couldn’t be more grateful that he’d drawn the attention of the room. The tall stained-glass windows behind him reduced the visibility, making him no more than a dark form. “I want to formally congratulate you on getting here. You represent the best of each of your kingdoms, and it is now down to you to prove the life within them is worth saving.”

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