Page 79 of Stars May Burn

I frowned at him as the carriage door was opened by a servant.

“Are you even allowed to be here, Callum? Your name wasn’t on the invitation.”

He shrugged. “Probably not. But as Kasten’s guest, I would thoroughly enjoy watching anyone try to take that up with him.”

He grinned at my husband who sighed and looked out of the window as if his friend’s antics bored him. “Nobody would dare kick Callum out. He’s the illegitimate son of the king’s cousin but has never been granted a title. Nobody knows what to do with him. He comes to these things because he loves how his presence makes everyone awkward, since everyone guesses his station differently. Also because of his habit not to use anyone’s title in return.”

He grinned and spread out his hands. “All the money, none of the responsibility.”

I gaped at him. “You have royal blood, Callum? Wait—you two are related? Why didn’t you tell me that when you introduced yourself?”

Callum mock-scowled at Kasten. “Why would I ever volunteer that I am related to him?” He leaned forward and placed a hand over his heart with a long-suffering expression. “I’m just here to make sure Kasten doesn’t accidentally kill somebody that he would regret later.”

I studied him, trying to work out if he was being serious underneath his humor or not.

Kasten straightened his lapels as he motioned for me to get out of the carriage first. “I’m not going to kill anyone at a party. After you.”

Callum tried to follow behind me, but Kasten pushed him back into his seat before joining my side, linking his arm through mine.

I glanced up at his emotionless face as he rested a hand gently over mine and felt my cheeks warm. I looked away to hide a smile. Kasten was definitely not as he appeared.

The night was colder than I was used to in Kasomere, and torches burned on tall sticks to mark the path up to the grand palace entrance, shadowed by marble pillars.

As I entered, it felt like I was being swallowed by a pastel dream, and I wanted to see everything. This was the royal palace. A year ago, I would have never imagined I would be here.

Servants directed us down cream-colored, carpeted corridors to a series of rooms for socializing linked by large gilded double doors that had been thrown open to create a single space. We wouldn’t go to the ballroom until after dinner. Immaculately dressed servants wafted about with plates of canapes and glasses of sparkling wine.

I spun around, taking in the giant crystal chandeliers and extravagantly dressed guests. However, it appeared that Kasten planned to wait out this part by lurking in the corner and glaring at servants who tried to approach. Callum lounged against the wall. “Are you sure you’re not planning to kill somebody, Kasten, because I think that servant just wet himself from the look in your eyes.”

I half-strangled a cough at Callum’s vulgarity. And here in the palace of all places! He apologized to me and bowed with a wink while Kasten glared at him. “Excuse me, while I go find some food before Kasten scares it all away.”

I stood beside my husband and smiled at passersby, hoping to counteract his cold demeanor. At length, a grandly dressed lady came and introduced herself as Baroness Clarissa Stansburg. I took in her dress and hairstyle. It was remarkable how quickly the fashion in Adenburg changed now I was living away from it all.

I bobbed a curtsy, slightly deeper than my rank warranted. “It’s a pleasure to meet you. You are probably already acquainted with my husband, but I am Lady Sophie Batton. This is my first time here at the palace.”

Baroness Clarissa turned her expression to Kasten, whose face was already one of long-suffering boredom. He nodded to her.

“General Batton. I must admit, I’m surprised you came to this gathering. Normally, you seem to avoid them.”

Kasten just cocked his head to one side and glared at her in what was definitely an intimidating ‘I can’t be bothered with you’ look. On an adolescent, I would have called the look sulky. On Kasten, it hinted of casual violence. My heart rate picked up, and I smiled in apology, standing a little in front of him. “He’s very busy defending our borders. I’ve never known somebody who works so hard.”

“Of course, of course.” Baroness Clarissa returned my smile, ignoring Kasten. “We are all very grateful that Fenland has such a brave general.”

I turned back to Kasten, hoping for a polite response, but he held his bored gaze for a second longer before simply walking off.

My mouth opened at his rudeness. How could he behave like that?

I turned back to the Baroness and curtsied again. “My apologies. Please excuse us.”

I caught a glimpse of an unsavory look in her eyes as they followed Kasten’s retreating figure. “Not at all.” She returned her attention back to me with a charming smile. “Do call in for tea sometime, my dear. It would be nice to get to know you better.” She inclined her head, before tapping her fan closed on her wrist. I turned to catch up with Kasten.

I had just reached his side and was pulling on his sleeve when an older man approached wearing a jacket that was an outrageous shade of purple silk. Suddenly, Callum didn’t seem ostentatious at all.

“General! You’ve not introduced me to your new wife. And such a young, beautiful one at that!” He didn’t even look at Kasten but came straight to me and grabbed my hand, kissing it with moist lips. I resisted the urge to free my hand too soon and gave him a bright, practiced smile.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you. I am Lady Sophie Batton.”

He smiled up at me, standing a little too close for comfort. Kasten moved closer to my side until his arm was brushing mine, and hostility radiated out from him. I hoped the man wouldn’t notice.

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