Page 83 of Starchaser
“Do you know why the king conscripted them?” I ask warily. “They were supposed to be safe so long as I swore my allegiance to the Crown.”
Killian’s mustache twitches, his expression grave. “They volunteered, I’m afraid.” He cracks his knuckles uneasily, glancing all around before adding, “They were compelled, Aster. I suspect the Changeling—the one who attacked you at the train station.”
I open my mouth to tell him about the way the Underling made himself known to me in my room or the attack at the docks last night, but he’s already looked away, surveying the alcove before continuing. “I know about the other attacks, as well.” He shoots me a pointed look then, his brow cocked. “I have my sources.”
I almost ask who, but then I remember what Killian told us in the conservatory—how the pixies were keeping him abreast of things. “Liv,” I mutter, shaking my head, even as the ghost of a grin touches my lips.
He continues, “Although in the future, it would be helpful if you’d keep me apprised of these situations. Might be useful to know you’re being haunted. Perhaps I could have offered my assistance—I’m somewhat of an expert at hunting Underlings, you know.”
I cringe with shame, opening my mouth and closing it again at least a dozen times, but nothing I think to say seems to fit.
“It’s quite all right,” he adds, his demeanor gentle. “I know you want to do everything on your own, but I’d be foolish if I didn’t remind you that there are people who care about you. People who want to help.” He inclines his head, understanding twinkling in his eyes. “You’re so much like your father in that way—fiercely independent.” He laughs, shaking his head. “I never knew what was going on in that head of his until it was too late to stop him.”
My heart twists. “I think you might have known him better than I did.”
“Oh, I very much doubt that,” Killian says, smiling wistfully. “But someday soon, I’d like to tell you what Ididknow, if you’d like to hear it.”
I return his smile, my throat thick with emotion. I know now that the only way to break the Underling’s compulsion over Charlie and Lewis is to give myself over to him. But it’s a nice thought, all the same—hearing Killian’s stories of my father when they were young. “That would be lovely.”
“Of course, of course.” Killian takes a cigar from his breast pocket. He flicks open his lighter, the tip of the cigar glowing red. “Now,” he says, puffing smoke, “back to the matter at hand—”
A trumpet sounds, and the king and queen step onto a makeshift dais near the edge of the garden, followed by Leo and Titus. Behind them, the ocean sparkles as the last tangerine rays of sunlight scatter across the waves.
“Damn it, that’s my cue,” Killian hisses, ushering me toward the gathering crowd. “I would love to stay and chat, but I must take care of something before the ceremony ends. Until we meet again, trust no one. Do you understand?” I nod, and he smiles. “Excellent. Oh, and you do look rather lovely in Bancroft green, if I say so myself.”
And just like that, the crowd swallows him up, and I find myself standing alone.
“Welcome all,” the king says, toasting the air with his glass. “Tonight, as we gather for Holy Winter’s Eve, we remember the victory of my ancestor, the great king Marcellus Anteres, on a night very much like tonight.”
I watch Leo, her head bowed, hands knit together, attempting to catch her eye, but she never looks up.
“… why we light the lanterns,” the king goes on. “To remember that in our darkest hour, Marcellus used his affinity to light the torches that surrounded this castle, rallying the people of this mighty city to arms.”
Calantha places her hand on Titus’s arm, and I note the way his jaw clenches. And it appears I’m not the only one who notices.
When Leo takes his hand, the tension in his shoulders seems to loosen.
I can’t help but stare at their clasped hands—can’t ignore the pang of jealousy in my chest—even if I know he doesn’t have feelings for her. Even if I know that in Leo’s heart, she believes Titus has been compelled, and come tomorrow, she’ll be forced to end his life. In this moment, I see what could have been—what might have been—if it weren’t for the secrets that have forced two best friends to become enemies.
“And so tonight we ignite the lanterns not only in celebration of Marcellus’s victory but also for the love that burns brighter than any fire—the love that will unite our two kingdoms. To Prince Titus and Princess Leonora!”
The crowd lifts their glasses, blocking Titus and Leo from my view as they echo, “To Prince Titus and Princess Leonora!”
I feel his presence before I see him, standing there at the edge of the crowd near the dais, watching me. Will makes a subtle movement—jerks his head to the left slightly—as if beckoning me to follow.
When I look back at the dais, Titus gazes at Leo with such adoration that despite everything he’s said about the princess—despitehim still holding fast to the idea that she’s possessed—I almost believe he might feel differently. That maybe his feelings for her—or lack of them—are just another lie. After all, he meant to drive me away. Perhaps all this was just because he couldn’t confront the change in his relationship with Leo.
Or perhaps Leoisright about his compulsion, and all of it was truly an act—just not for the reasons he’s led me to believe.
I weave through the crowd as the music starts up again, signaling the conclusion of the king’s speech. I find an opening and head straight for Will when—
“We found you!” Clemson giggles, latching onto Will’s arm.
“Why’d you run off like that?” Davina pouts, tugging at his shirtsleeve like an insufferable child.
My eyes meet Will’s for only a moment before I turn, nearly bumping into the tall, broad-shouldered woman behind me.
“Pardon me,” I say, hardly sparing her a glance as I make to move past her.
