Page 25 of Bound By Stardust
It was only a matter of time before Alder discovered I was an imposter. The vial of stardust corded around my neck wouldn’t be enough, nor would the ones I’d stuffed in my pocket.
I’d given some to Asira, and her curls hid the leather cord that held the vials. The palace wasn’t safe for Asira, and if I disappeared, the Masters would become suspicious. What if they found Iscariot’s body in the tunnels?
I had no doubt that even if Asira and I fled to Terrin, the Masters would chase us down on their golden chariots, determined to take back what they believed was theirs and get their revenge on me.
My arms tightened around Asira’s waist. Shame I couldn’t fully enjoy how wonderful she felt in my arms, all soft curves and silky hair. I wanted to bury my face in her hair and forget about this madness.
At first, she was stiff, unwilling to move, leaving me wondering if she danced at all. Asira had been tight-lipped about her life, but as the Stardust Collector, she was well-known to the people of Terrin. Now, I wondered at her need to escape and whether her position in Terrin had been what she wanted. She did her work well, but just because one was good at what one’s job did not make it the desire of their heart.
Something within had made her unhappy enough to wish herself here. I stared at her upturned face as she let me guide her through the steps. The mask hid her eyes, and her lips were set in an impassive frown, making it difficult to guess what she was thinking.
We weren’t the only ones who whirled around the dance floor. When a hand landed on my shoulder, I resisted the urge to flinch it off as someone leaned closer, a symbol I did not recognize glowing on their mask. “A chance to dance with your new beloved?”
The idea of anyone other than myself laying hands on Asira made a protective jealousy rise in my chest. “Not a chance,”I growled.
“Not a chance, eh? So, your words earlier were flippant. You promised to share, but it was all a ruse to get your way. I won’t forget this, Iscariot.”
I stiffened. The problem with pretending to be Iscariot was that I had no idea what had happened during the last six months. Before I was cast down, I was familiar with his inner circle. Perhaps not their conversations, but I could deduce what was happening and the dynamics of power. Now, I could not detect where the balance of power laid.
Asira spun in my arms and then whirled away from me. The sea of gilded masks converged, creating a barrier between us. I lost sight of her dark hair, and my hand went to my pocket, gripping the vial of stardust as they surrounded me.
“Come, Iscariot,” Jabel laughed. “It’s time.”
Time for some haunted ceremony I had no idea about. I glanced back, searching for Asira, aware that asking what would happen to her would give me away. Iscariot cared for naught but himself, and I had to play the game a while longer, at least until Adler discovered my secret.
“Don’t worry,” another said. “You’ll have plenty of time with your new playmate. She’ll be in your chambers, waiting for you.”
17
Asira
Dancing calmed my nerves, giving me something to focus on other than the unsettling glamour of the Masters. Drazhan’s arm around me was firm, a reminder I had someone on my side. What would have happened if I hadn’t met him in the boneyard and saved him? I’d be doomed right now, one of the forgotten humans who went up to the starry kingdom for the pleasure of the Masters.
The other women appeared happy, but when I spun by one, the glazed look on her face made my heart hurt. She wasn’t truly there. Her soul was lost, bound in darkness, begging to be freed.
My throat tightened, and I turned away. Something was very wrong.
Drazhan’s grip on me relaxed as one hand spanned my hip, spinning me away from him. I twirled, letting go of his hand as my hair swung down my back. I glimpsed the musicians, wearing golden masks and playing with enthusiasm.
Tapestries glimmered, diamonds winked, glasses clicked, and the murmur of conversation swept around me, making my skin prickle. Turning around, I reached for Drazhan, but he was gone, lost in a sea of masks. My heart kicked, but I took a deep breath. The golden hair all looked the same, and I hadn’t memorized the mark on his mask.
Iscariot’s mask.
I felt a presence at my back, and then hands slithered around my waist. A faint odor surrounded me, and then a voice that certainly wasn’t Drazhan’s coasted across my ear. “He didn’t drug you, did he? Very curious and quite unlike Iscariot.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I retorted. Try as I might, I couldn’t force myself to be silly and giggly. I wasn’t sure who stood behind me, but a warning in my soul told me to run.
Another Master hooked their arm around mine. “I’m sure Iscariot won’t mind if we have some fun with you. He did promise to share.”
I struggled to get free, suddenly reminded of when the wayward knight had attacked me. My arm was yanked behind my back, the movement jarring and painful. I winced and squirmed. “Let go of me,” I hissed, trying not to rouse attention.
Lips nibbled up my arm to my neck, and then teeth sank into my skin, not painful, but shocking and uncomfortable. I let out a yelp and brought my knee up fast.
The Master stepped back and lifted a hand. The slap of his glove against my skin sent my head rocking back. A dull roar rushed through my mind, and a bubble of darkness rose in my chest.
Behind me came laughter, and my fury twisted like a whirlwind. My fingers flew to my neck, practically ripping my dress as I yanked the vial of stardust off the chain.
Snarling, I uncorked the bottle and threw the contents at the Master who’d bitten me.
