Page 39 of Starchaser
“One step at a time,” Titus says, fiddling with the collar of his shirt, and I notice the bronze chain of his medallion peeking out from beneath the black fabric. He shoots Will a pointed look. “Once Aster has confirmed Morana’s possession, I’ll take it from there.” His gaze slides to me, his voice firm as he adds, “Understood?”
I open my mouth, but before I can reply, there’s a knock at the servant’s door behind me.
“That will be your lady’s maid,” Titus says, clapping his hands together. He quirks a brow at me, his teasing smirk at odds with the subtle warning that flashes in his eyes. “Try to behave tonight.”
Will follows him to the salon that leads into my suite, looking back at me over his shoulder, his smile sympathetic in a way that makes me want to crawl under the mountain of pillows and never show my face again. “Youcando this, Aster.”
I want to take his hand, to ask him to stay, but then Margaret appears in the doorway, silhouetted by the flickering lamplight that illuminates the dark passageway, and Will is gone.
“Well then,” she says, taking in the sight of me as if I were a slab of marble and she a trained sculptor. “Let’s make them wish you never stepped foot in Castle Grim.”
“And just when I’d begunto think Margaret would never find her talent,” Lewis whispers as he and Charlie escort me down the stairwell.
“You thread fabric, Lew.” Charlie snorts. “Marge was threadingskinbefore you sewed your first patch. I wouldn’t think cosmetics would be a challenge for someone with her skill set.”
Lewis lifts a shoulder. “I’m just saying, I might not have recognized our sister had it not been for the way her eye twitches when she wants me to stop talking. Ah”—he jabs a finger toward my eye—“like that!”
I swat his hand away, but I can’t help the grin that tugs at my lips. “Quiet!” I whisper. “Someone might—”
We round the corner, and I run right into the back of a woman in a silver gown.
“I’m so—” I start, but the woman turns to face me, and my shoulders sag with relief.
“Aster?” Lady Eliza beams up at me from the step below. “Oh, how delightful!” She takes my hands, her mouth gaping as she appraises the gown I changed into for the evening. “You look positively stunning!”
I smile, and I’m pleased when it doesn’t feel forced. “So do you,” I say, gesturing at the silver gown that cuts low, drawing attention to the bat-shaped amulet between her collarbones.
“I’ll say,” Lewis agrees under his breath.
“Coming from you, Mr. Oberon, I’m flattered.” Eliza’s lips curve playfully. “Perhaps in the future, you might fashion me something to wear, if you find that you have the time. Billie tells me you’re a fine tailor.”
I think Lewis has stopped breathing.
I elbow him in the ribs. “It would be his honor.”
“The honor would be entirely my own,” Eliza practically purrs, extending her arm to me. “Now, Aster, you must tell me what I’ve missed.”
My stomach sours as we loop arms and descend the steps. Quietly, I ask, “You weren’t at the parade?”
She pats my black-gloved hand. “No,” she says with a wince. “Though, I can’t say I regret my decision not to join.”
I wish I was given that option.
Eliza halts just before we reach the base of the stairwell, unhooking her arm from mine and standing directly in front of me. “Keep your wits about you,” she instructs, fussing with a few strands of my hair, framing them around my face. “And remember,” she adds in a whisper, “you are infinitely braver than you believe, Aster Oberon.”
She offers me a genuine smile before turning and stepping out into the hallway.
I hesitate, perched on the last step before I round the corner and join the rest of the nobility. Their voices seem to echo in the stairwell, loud enough that I stumble backward, caught only by Charlie’s quick reflexes.
I want nothing more than to turn back—to ask my brothers to take me to where the rest of my family is staying, persuade them to leave with me, and to try to escape.
If I don’t have much time left under this curse, then at least I’ll be with my family. At least I’ll be free.
But they’d spend the rest of their lives on the run, avoiding capture, fearing for their safety at every turn. Staying here is about more than just finding a cure. Even if Morana isn’t at Castle Grim—even if Titus can’t force her to take her corporeal form—then before I leave this world, I want to do as much damage to the Crown as I possibly can.
If I’m going down, then so is anyone who dares threaten my family.
“We’re with you, Az,” Charlie says, his voice low. “Whatever you’re doing here—whatever you’re not telling us—we’re with you.”
