Page 113 of Starchaser
“Leotoldme Titus was compelled,” I admit, hot, angry tears pricking my eyes. “But I thought it was another one of Morana’s tricks—that she was just feeding misinformation somehow, trying to turn Leo and Titus against each other to get in the way of the Order’s plans at the wedding. I should have listened. If I had—”
“Morana knew that you wouldn’t,” Mother says gently. “Sheused your…friendshipwith the prince to torment you.” Her gaze searches mine, and I think she might have said more if we were alone. Suddenly, I’m glad to be surrounded by Order members, even if the looks my brothers give me make me want to elbow them both in their ribs.
I’m thankful when Killian clears his throat, diverting the attention to himself. “Morana’s magic is stronger than we could have ever anticipated—it leaves no trace,” he says, scratching his jaw. “Even if you had shared your suspicions that Titus was compelled, there would have been no way to prove it.”
Mother exhales a heavy, slow breath, her eyes narrowed at the maps laid out on the table before her. “Regardless, we should have guessed that she would want to tie herself to Titus’s magic through a marriage bond with Leo,” she says. “But by compelling him, even now that the princess is dead and their marriage bond is broken, Morana still has control of his mind—a contingency we never accounted for. It’s clear to us now that by using Titus, she planned to take control of the Eerie, all while convincing you that the only way to save him was to go with her to the Burning Lands, a willing sacrifice.”
Sweat slicks the back of my neck.
A willing sacrifice.
“The Shifter who bit me as a child—he tried to get me to go with him of my own accord,” I say. “Do you think he could be the exiled general? Could it have all been a ruse to bring me to Morana himself and regain favor with his queen?”
Creases line Mother’s forehead as her brows pinch, and she shakes her head. “It’s possible. But when Flynn—”
“I came as soon as I heard!” Eliza pants, bursting into the room,but when her wild eyes find me, her teeth worry her bottom lip. Whatever it is she wants to say, I don’t give her the opportunity.
I’m on my feet in an instant, starting toward her. Lewis tenses as I lift my arms, as if he considers blocking my path.
I throw my arms around Eliza as she squeaks out a small sob, and she returns my embrace without hesitation.
“I’m sorry,” we both say, hugging each other tighter.
“For what?” we ask in tandem.
“I thought you were possessed,” I admit, shame strangling my voice.
Eliza’s sniffle turns into a choked laugh as she draws back, wiping tears from my face with the hem of her sleeve. “Now, now,” she says. “That’s not your fault. I should have been more forthright with you. Perhaps I could have dispelled some of the rumors before things got out of hand.”
“I shouldn’t have assumed—”
“Please, Aster,” Eliza says, patting my hand, “anyone would have.Iwould have!” She turns then, facing the table, her chin held high. “Flynn is not a Changeling, not a Shifter, and he is certainly not an Underling general.” There’s a threatening edge to Eliza’s voice, and I don’t miss the way Lewis reaches out, twining his fingers with hers. “He was compelled, just like Titus.”
“We know,” Mother starts, and for a brief moment, her tone shifts from that of the pirate captain to that of a caring, sympathetic parent. “We’re sorry we believed you and your brothers were guilty of—”
“No, you don’t understand!” Eliza says, slicing her hand through the air. “It’s more than just Flynn’s compulsion. Yes, my brothers and I were framed, but Isawwho killed Eva. I watchedhim do it!” She cuts an uneasy glance at me. “Owen Oberon killed Eva.”
“Eliza, please,” Killian says softly, pinching the bridge of his nose. “Now is not the time—”
“No, I believe her,” I say, my voice rough, burning my throat with every word. I face Mother, my chest tight. “How long have you known? How long have you known that Owen was alive? That he was working for the Guild of Shadows?”
A chill sweeps through the room, the only sound that of Killian’s lighter as he ignites the tip of his cigar.
“What is she talking about?” Charlie says, stepping up to stand beside me.
“Owen is—” Lewis scrubs his hand over his face. He looks at Eliza, who gives a subtle shake of her head, her expression apologetic.
“Is he alive?” Charlie demands, his voice thick with emotion. “Is my brotheralive?”
Mother nods, her mouth pressed tight. “Not in the way you might think,” she says gently. “He is a Shifter now.”
Lewis lets out a small, choked noise. Charlie curses as he storms away from the table, slamming his fist into the wooden plank of the wall.
Father places a gentle hand on Charlie’s shoulder as he begins to weep.
Mother watches, her expression torn, before fixing a stern look on me. “I’ve known about Owen since Reckoning Day,” she admits, her mouth pressed tight.
Lewis attempts to stifle a sob, but when Eliza gathers him in her arms, and he falls apart, I want to fall apart, too. But when Ilook at my parents and see that they look just as defeated as I feel, my grief gives way to rage.
