Page 95 of The Stars are Dying

“Magick?”

“Yes.”

“How did you ever expect I’d have the answer to break it?”

Nyte studied me. I couldn’t understand the flicker of sadness in his subdued amber irises, now a cool honey color. “Youarethe answer, Starlight.”

29

Every step back to the castle felt like a waking fever dream. I was barely present and had left Nyte abruptly, needing time to figure out howanything I’d just discovered was real.

Lost in my reeling thoughts, the air whooshed from me as I collided with someone.

“Apologies, milady.” Shaye shuffled back before dipping her head.

I smiled, laughing lightly to disperse any tension. “I’m sorry too. I didn’t see you. These halls are so dimly lit.”

Shaye’s shoulders relaxed. “Can I accompany you to your room? Or fetch anything for you before you retire? Davina has already left for home, but I could—”

“No. I’ll be just fine, thank you.”

Shaye nodded, and from the fatigue in her eyes I knew it must be late. She gave another bow before slipping around me, and I turned to spy her about to leave through the exit.

“It’s freezing at this hour,” I called, noting she was only in her usual cotton gown. Long-sleeve, but it wouldn’t protect against the chill.

“I do not mind. I live just outside the palace gates.”

I had already unhooked my cloak, and while her eyes widened in protest I held her gaze, telling her not to bother. I fit it around her shoulders, and she clipped the cloak at her collar as though no one had ever offered her such a simple kindness before. I couldn’t bear it.

“I want you to keep it,” I said, squeezing her arm. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”

30

Iwasted a day I could have spent searching for my next key piece by instead pacing my rooms trying to mull over every memory I had with Nyte. Every one threatened to become distant and cold in this new reality, but at the same time…I didn’t want to believe the feelings weren’t real.

The following day I returned from clearing my mind by attempting to train with Zathrian to find Davina poking at the newly lit fire. I checked the adjoining spaces for Shaye, but she wasn’t there, and Davina’s harsh sniff set me still with dread.

“Are you all right?” I asked carefully, easing toward her.

She wiped her face on the back of her sleeve before turning to me. I was striding at the sight of her puffy eyes and tear-stained cheeks when a figure landing on the balcony hit me with fright. My pulse raced as I let Rose through the door, and she scanned me from head to toe, letting out a breath of incredulous relief.

“What’s going on?” I asked them.

“It’s Shaye,” Davina croaked. “She— She’s—”

“They found her by the gates this morning,” Rose explained, her brow pinched with sympathy for Davina as another tear spilled.

“Found her?”

“Killed.”

It was as if death’s chuckle had seeped into the echoes of that one word. A reminder it still lingered close, taunting me, threatening those around me. I struggled for breath with the swelling in my chest. Slices of raw memory opened to bleed from me all over again. Cassia’s final moments… I wondered if Shaye would have looked the same.

“Astraea.”

I was lashed back to my present surroundings with a firm shake. I latched onto Rose’s unblinking hazel irises then slipped my gaze to Davina, whose upset shook me out of my shock. I didn’t know Shaye as much I’d hoped to have the chance to, but Davina did, and my heart ached for her.

Pausing in front of her, I gave her the chance to deny, but Davina embraced me eagerly. “I’m so sorry,” I tried, knowing nothing I said could ever soothe something so deep as the wound of loss.

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