Page 27 of Starchaser
My gaze narrows on the smattering of crimson freckles on his cheek. “For?”
He cuts a glance at Will, a bemused smirk touching his lips. “For anyone who might intend to do you harm,” he says, flashing his teeth. “Someonedoesn’t want you to reach Castle Grim, and until we can be sure ofwhy, I plan to do everything in my power to ensure they understand exactly whom it is they’re dealing with.” He takesa bundle of parchment from his jacket pocket and passes it to Will, shooting me a pointed look. “I wasn’t entirely unproductive. While I was in town, I procured traveling papers for the inhabitants of Bludgrave Manor. The entire Oberon clan and what’s left of the staff will be joining us at the palace, where we can keep a close eye on them, should anyone wish to use your family against you.”
I glance at the papers as Will tucks them inside his coat pocket. “Thank you,” I say, relieved that I won’t have to say goodbye to my family just yet.
“Of course,” Titus says, his voice clipped. He removes his gloves, revealing the tattoos that ink his skin, as he looks between the two of us. “Out for a late-night ride?”
Will makes a choking noise, and my cheeks heat. He clears his throat. “Actually,” Will says, wiping his hands on the front of his coat, “I received a message from Killian. He wants to meet with Aster and me at the conservatory.”
Titus smirks as he takes a note from his pocket, waves it. “Aye, it appears I’ve been summoned as well.”
I roll my eyes and before Will has the chance, I swing my leg over Caligo’s saddle. “Well?” I jerk my chin in the direction of Thea, the unicorn that belongs to Lady Isabelle. “What are we waiting for?”
Will shakes his head before setting to work saddling Henry’s steed, Nutmeg, instead. “Caligo ismyhorse, you know.”
Caligo trots out of the stall, following Titus out of the stable, kicking up dust in Will’s face as I call over my shoulder, “Tell that to Caligo.”
When we emerge on the other side of the apple tree tunnel, and the towering frame of the conservatory comes into view, nestled in the snowy clearing, I can almost convince myself that the past few weeks never happened—that Will and I are meeting here for a picnic, that I might gaze at the stars while he tends the flowers of his beloved garden. But it’s as if the memories of our evenings at the conservatory have all been tainted by the revelation that during the time we spent together, he kept more secrets from me than I ever could have guessed. Secrets that ultimately led to my father’s death. Secrets that might have gotten Annie killed had I not been willing to trade my life for hers.
All because Will didn’t trust me.
“So Killian summoned you, too,” Henry says, calling out to us from where he waits near the entrance to the conservatory. Bundled in his black cloak, his cheeks rosy, he squints at us as flurries of snow catch in his dark eyelashes. “I didn’t think he’d be back from his assignment so soon.”
He holds out a hand for me as I dismount Caligo, his glove warm as it closes around my icy fingers, and I offer him a grateful smile as the warmth spreads from my hand through my entire body, raising my temperature a few degrees. I suppose winter isn’t so bad when you’re a firebreather, but it’s as if the effort required to share his magic with me takes the breath out of him, and he lets go of my hand, swaying slightly.
“He’s not already here, then?” Titus asks, hopping down from his horse.
Henry shakes his head. “Haven’t seen him.” He takes a piece of parchment from his coat pocket, and when he speaks, the sharp scent of liquor almost masks the faint smell of peppermint. “Found this on my pillow.”
Will takes a key from his pocket and unlocks the door to the conservatory, ushering the three of us inside, and the moment I step foot over the threshold, the air thickens, pleasantly warm and humid, reminding me of summer. I think about how charming a simple life at Bludgrave Manor could have been without the threat of a Shifter stalking my every move, and a heavy feeling settles in my gut. Even if the Guild of Shadows didn’t use my brother to attempt to recruit me, life here was never going to be simple. Not when Will planned to induct me into the Order of Hildegarde from the moment he laid eyes on me.
Out of habit, I make my way to the old oak tree toward the back of the garden, and Henry walks alongside me while Will and Titus hang back, discussing something in hushed voices. As I make my way down the garden path, between the red roses and purple mystiks, the pixies swoop down, darting all around me, their musical laughter like the tinkling of bells. I search the dozens of colorful, glowing orbs for Liv, the pixie I grew rather fond of during my time here, but she’s nowhere to be found. It’s not until Henry and I reach the oak tree that I hear the door to the conservatory open once more.
“Ready for another history lesson?” comes a familiar voice.
I whirl to find Killian sauntering down the pathway toward us, a cigar dangling from his lips. It’s striking, the resemblance he bears to his sister, Lady Isabelle—dark hair, green eyes, and a somewhat mischievous air that might seem dangerous if it weren’t so charming.
“Uncle!” Henry brightens, throwing his arms around Killian. “You weren’t supposed to be back for another couple of days!”
“Yes, well,” Killian says, his smile tight as he glances at me. “Something more important came up.”
“Surely, this could have waited until morning,” comes Lord Bludgrave’s voice, and I peer over Killian’s shoulder to see Will’s father dressed in a robe and slippers, rubbing the sleep from his eyes as he makes his way down the path behind Titus and Will.
“I’m afraid not.” Killian’s expression turns grave. “I’ve received some rather disturbing information concerning the attack at the train station yesterday.”
Lord Bludgrave’s brow furrows. “From whom?”
Killian sighs, clearly impatient with his brother-in-law. “Liv flew to me,” he says, and it’s only then that I notice the faint pink glow in Killian’s front pocket where Liv must be sleeping. “The pixies have been keeping me informed these past weeks.”
Lord Bludgrave sputters furiously, “Under whose orders—”
“Mine,” Will says, adjusting his scarlet cravat, not bothering to meet his father’s eyes until he’s satisfied with his appearance. When he finally deigns to look at Lord Bludgrave, his gaze is hard, leaving no room for arguments of any kind.
I want to cheer at the way Lord Bludgrave takes a step back, his jaw gaping slightly, as if surprised that Will would act against his authority, ordering the pixies to keep Killian informed, but a small voice whispers in the back of my mind,Why didn’t Will at least tellme?
Killian turns to me then. “Someone in the Guild of Shadows—and I cannot be certain that they are following Morana’s orders—doesn’t want you anywhere near Castle Grim. Based on Liv’s observations, I believe in this case, what we might be dealing with concerning this…assassin…” He glances at Lord Bludgrave, as if he were expecting him to disapprove before he even had the chance to finish his sentence. “I believe we’re dealing with a Changeling.”
Strangely, Henry’s and Will’s gazes both dart to their father.
