Page 31 of Starchaser
“We have our orders,” Gabriel replies. “You’re not to leave this room until this train reaches the capital.”
“So I’m a prisoner.”
“You’re a target,” Flynn says, tapping my forehead with his metal finger.
I want to rip the bloodred gauntlet from his arm and his hand along with it.
“What about my family?” I grit my teeth. “Who will protect them?”
“Your merry band of thieves and assassins can protect themselves.” Titus enters the compartment carrying a tray bearing a kettle and three dainty cups. “But just in case, I’ve stationed four Bloodknights at the back of the train to keep an eye on them.”
I ignore the tray, but he steps around me, placing it on the small, round table. The prince begins pouring tea, his brows knit with concentration, as the door opens once more, and Will slips inside, looking solemn.
I didn’t say a word to either of them after we left the conservatory last night, but this morning I found a flower on the foot of my bed—a white rose, the bloom Will once told me representedcontrition. For weeks, Will used flowers to communicate with me in secret, and I feel my anger melting away at the memory of the little messages he used to leave for me all around the house. Even through my grief, Will’s flowers brought me joy when I felt I might never be happy again. And on a day like today, I find it much more difficult to stay angry with Will, especially when I crave the comfort of his calm, steady presence.
“You’re dismissed,” Titus says, and Gabriel and Flynn take up their posts on the other side of the compartment door, leaving the three of us alone.
Will clears his throat. “It’s a short trip to Jade,” he informs me, rubbing the nape of his neck as he takes a seat at one of the two chairs on either side of the table. “We should arrive in a couple of hours.”
“There’s to be a parade,” Titus adds, pulling out my chair for me. “The procession will lead you to the castle, where you’ll be introduced not only to the king and queen but also to the entire court. Which is why I’ve arranged for a true professional to prepare you for this afternoon.”
“I’d rather have Margaret,” I say, refusing to sit.
Titus flashes a smile. “I’d rather not argue.”
“I—”
“Aster,” Will interrupts me, his voice soft as he takes my hand. At his touch, a feeling of calm washes over me, dousing my anger. Unable to fight the pull of his gaze, I meet his eyes to find him looking at me with such tenderness my heart aches because I know he could never show me this kind of affection if we weren’t alone.
Well, alone with Titus. I can’t help but glance in his direction, my instincts crying out for me to pull my hand from Will’sgrasp, but Titus appears indifferent, pouring a generous amount of whiskey into his own cup of tea. Will has been so careful to hide his…feelingsfor me from everyone—including me. But not from Titus.
The first night I spent at Bludgrave Manor, Will confided in me that Titus was like a brother to him—that he would do anything for him. But when Titus revealed that Will was dying, that he would turn into a Shifter without a cure, Will was willing to face the wrath of the king to ensure that I remained aboard theStarchaserand far away from Morana and her Guild of Shadows. He was willing to let Titus marry the princess of Hellion—even if it meant he was giving up a portion of his power to the Sylk queen—if it meant I was safe.
Without looking at me, Titus jerks his chin at the chair opposite Will. “Sit,” he says, his voice rough, “before William feels compelled to get down on his knees and beg.”
I open my mouth to tell him I’ll do as I please, but it’s as if before the words can form, a feeling of exhaustion overtakes me, and I find myself folding onto the chair.
Will squeezes my hand before letting go. At the absence of his touch, my body feels cold, lifeless, and I suppress a chill.
“What’s wrong?” he asks, offering me a cup of tea from the tray.
“My father’s body couldn’t be recovered from the fire,” I say quietly, accepting his peace offering. The cup warms my palms, the floral aroma awakening memories of winter nights aboard theLightbringer, listening to Father spin tales about the Stars as we indulged in cups of hot tea. My hands shake as I set the cup on the table once more and pull the chain of the compass free. I know it’s just a trick of my eyes, but as I offer him the compass, in theswaying light of the chandelier overhead, the gold face appears to glow. “This was all that was left.”
Will’s brow furrows as he takes the compass, squinting to read my father’s handwriting. Out of the corner of my eye, Titus goes perfectly still, his cup raised to his lips, brows lifted. Quickly, he turns his back to Will and me, facing the window, staring out at the frozen landscape, his shoulders tense.
Will dips his chin, handing the compass back to me. “I’m so sorry, Aster,” he whispers, shaking his head. “I wish I could have done more.”
I nod slowly, swallowing hard around the lump that forms in my throat. “You did all you could.”
There was nothing to be done. One moment, Father was alive—there was still a chance he could be saved. And the next…
I clench my fists. “Whatever happens next, I’m going to make my father proud of me.”
Will frowns. “Aster,” he says softly, “he already was.”
I shake my head. “I don’t know,” I say. “I didn’t really know anything about him, did I? They’ve lied to me my whole life—he and Mother both. About who they are. About whoIam.”
Will nods considerately. “You didn’t ask her?”
