Page 71 of Starchaser
I shuffle into my chambers behind him, the cloying heat of embarrassment prickling my neck as I lock my balcony doors behind me.
“What I’m about to show you is never to be shared with anyone,” he says, kicking the edge of the blue carpet aside and kneeling in the center of the room. “Not even William.”
I hold his stare, feeling as if all the air were siphoned out of the room. I don’t know everything about Will and Titus’s friendship, only that they consider their bond to be like that of true brothers—that they would go to war for each other, risk their lives for each other. If Titus has kept a secret from Will, I have to believe he has a reason, even if he doesn’t seem willing to share it with me.
“You have my word,” I say.
He dips his head, his mouth pressed tight. “Stand back.”
He removes the glove from his right hand, revealing the tattoo of a sparrow, and places his bare palm on the stone floor.
“Adonoc verash melor,” he whispers, his voice like a deep, gentle hum.
Thunk.The stone paver sinks a fraction beneath the rest.
Titus rises, taking a few steps back as two more stones sink, then another and—
He grabs my elbow, yanking me backward as the stones beneath my feet give way, and my heel lands on his big toe.
“Ouch,” he mutters under his breath. “Every damn time.”
Laughter dies in my throat as I gape at the square opening in the floor and the stone staircase that descends into utter darkness.
“How did you…”
He brings a finger to his lips, curved in a wicked smirk. Heholds out his other hand to gesture at the staircase, cutting a glance at the hole in the floor. “After you.”
I hesitate, thinking back to everything Leo said about the possibility of Titus being compelled—about the facilities, including the one below this very castle.…
As if he senses my hesitation, his mouth twists, a subtle scowl. “What’s wrong?”
I search his gaze, trying to reconcile what Leo told me with what I know of the Order’s plans to unite Leo and Titus and use them to bring down the wards on Holy Winter’s Day. And then it hits me, as electrifying as a bolt of lightning.
Of course!The Order suspects there is a spy in their midst, one who’s passing their plans along to Morana. If Morana’s forces are on to us, maybe theirspyis sowing seeds of deceit between the prince and princess. If each of them believes the other is subject to an Underling’s control, that would prevent the marriage and, in turn, prevent the wards from coming down.
Relief and determination flood my body in equal measure. The Guild of Shadows thought they could manipulate Leo and Titus—thought they could manipulateme. But I’ve been down this path before, during the months Owen haunted me at Bludgrave. I refuse to be misled, distracted from what I came here to do: cure Will and overthrow the king of the Eerie. And though I never intended to play matchmaker, the Order’s plans now hinge on my ability to convince Leo that Titus isn’t compelled—and to convince Titus that Leo is not possessed.
Titusmustmarry Leo, and I have to ensure that he does. Perhaps, once they’ve said their vows, he might even find that he truly loves Leo. Perhaps, when all this is said and done, they can be happy together.
I wet my lips, suddenly parched. “What if I trip?”
He quirks a brow. “I suppose thatisa genuine concern for you.” He presents his hand to me with a flourish, a kind smile lighting his eyes—so pure and genuine I feel as if I’m seeing him for the first time. “If you fall, I fall.”
I take his hand, the warmth from his calloused palms sending a jolt of electricity through my veins, bright and dizzying. I press my lips together to stifle a gasp.
Stars, this isn’t the first time I’ve held someone’s hand. But thatfeeling…
His throat bobs. “Ready?”
“Ready.”
Together, we descend into the darkness. The moment we’re clear of the opening, Titus places his hand on the stone wall and whispers, “Granitum zeruuk shanol.”
I grit my teeth as the stones scrape, closing in overhead, sealing us in the pitch blackness. Another secret staircase—another secret room. How many secrets can one castle conceal?
“I might need that hand someday,” Titus murmurs, and it feels as if he’s much closer than he was before.
I don’t realize I tightened my grip until I force myself to loosen my hold on him.
