Page 30 of Secrets and Starlight

I turned around to face him, searching his dark eyes, still awestruck to find something beautiful reflected back at me. I wanted to say something, give him something in exchange, but the words caught in my throat.

He shook his head, lifting a finger to my lip. “When you’re ready.”

I nodded, bewildered that he understood. Thankful he could handle me. All of me.

“Now then,” he continued, nodding toward the bathroom. “Showers, clothes. Drink some water to help with the headache because we have a long day ahead.”

I set the phonograph to play easygoing ballads as we prepared. Zayne dressed himself in all black, finishing the look with his dark traveling cape, the shards secured within. For myself, I wore close-fitting dark pants and a loose blouse, a dagger hilted at the waist. I wore my hair down in soft waves, deciding against any of the jewelry Iona had loaned me.Merchant,the look said. Not at all a princess.

We entered the central living room, finding Rhett alone. He picked at his food as Rimu and Ninti chowed down on what looked to be half a chicken.

“How’s Iona?” I teased, swinging in to the seat beside him. “I’m assuming she snuck out already?”

Rhett blushed. “Oh, uh… How did you know?”

“Don’t worry, no one trailed her here,” Zayne added. “I can’t promise anything about this morning though.”

“We needed some time alone,” Rhett finally answered. “And I thought when Ayla vanished into the shadows, the two of you—”

“The two of us were searching for shards,” I corrected. “We had just taken Calindra’s shard when Iona snuck out.”

Rhett put down his fork. “If you have what you need, does that mean we’re ready to leave? Iona needs—”

I shook my head. “There are still more shards here.”

Ninti nosed the last of the chicken toward Rimu, licked her lips, and wandered closer. “How many more?” she asked.

“Four.” Zayne answered. “We couldn’t retrieve any others though. Lord Tallus has one.”

“Tallus?” Rhett shook his head. “Of course he has one if Calindra does. But what’s their plan?”

“That’s something I hope to figure out,” Zayne said. “I’ll listen to gossip today while you two play merchant.”

“And the other shards?” Ninti asked.

“The Starlit King has three,” I explained.

“Fucking Teyr,” Rhett cursed, leaning back in his seat. “There’s no way we’re stealing from him.” When we didn’t answer, he looked between the three of us. “Right?”

“We just need to come up with a plan and—”

I silenced as someone knocked on the door.

“Rhett!” A shrill voice pierced through the door. “I need a word with you.”

He slouched. “That would be Calindra.”

“Can we walk to the throne room together?” she continued.

“Can’t you make me disappear?” he pleaded with Zayne.

“Go.” Rolling my eyes, I ushered him toward the door. “Hopefully whatever you’re doing with Iona will distract her from everything else.”

Zayne vanished into the shadows, and Rhett opened the door. Together, we stepped into the courtyard, Rhett withering under Calindra’s critical gaze. She had trapped Iona’s wrist with one hand and her other was poised to knock on the door again.

“Good. The three of us need to chat,” she snapped.

I gave them a wide berth as we joined the guests ambling toward the throne room, Rimu and Ninti trailing at my heel and Zayne never that far away.

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