Page 11 of Stars May Burn

“He didn’t like my dress.” I stood, restless, and started to examine all the room’s furnishings to see if I could gauge my husband’s tastes. If I was to manage his household in Kasomere, I needed to know what sort of furnishings would please him. So far, the colors were far gentler than I was expecting, subtler. Maybe the same should extend to my outfits.

Miss Claris gaped. “Why on earth not? It was the most expensive thing you’ve ever worn, and the current fashion. Not that your new husband seems to appreciate good taste, from what I’ve seen.” She tutted. “Well, what sort of thing does he like?”

I had relived my short experience with the man over and over in my mind since I’d arrived. “He thought my waist was too small. Maybe if I wore a dress without a corset? Or a looser one?” I became distracted by the beautiful design on the curtains; tiny flowers picked out in a shimmering blue thread. This was not the current fashion, but the color was exquisite. You could only see the intricacies when you stood close.

The maid’s sharp intake of breath caught my attention, and I shifted my gaze to her pale expression in the mirror. Well, maybe suggesting not wearing a corset was going a little far. She recovered and sniffed. “Well even if he is backward in his tastes, we can’t have you gossiped about for being underdressed. You must present yourself well as a representative of your family. And that certainly requires a corset.”

I turned to her with a calming smile. “You’re quite right, Miss Claris. Why not choose something simple from the wardrobe for the journey tomorrow, however. Simple and elegant, yet appropriate. I suspect that will please everyone. Besides, my normal clothes are being taken straight to Kasomere from Father’s house.”

Miss Claris went to inspect the wardrobe with an underwhelmed expression.

Her voice was resigned. “Well, like you said. It has only been one day. Tomorrow, you will do better.”

KASTEN

Callum walked into the room after a brief knock, a tea set rattling in one hand. I looked up from my desk. I’d been staring at the papers for so long, my eyesight was blurred.

“Kasten, you look like death. Have you slept at all?”

I ran my hand through my unruly hair. Did I really look that bad? “A bit. I’ll sleep better once this situation has been resolved. Any news on Robert?”

Callum shook his head. “Still missing since yesterday and no word to his friends and family. We suspect he’s still in Adenburg.” He slid the tray onto the table. “I added an extra shot of whiskey as I suspected it was one of those mornings.”

I grunted in agreement, pouring cups of tea for Callum and myself and moving to the armchair to rest for a few minutes, though I couldn’t settle. I pinched the bridge of my nose. “Where has that fool got to?”

Callum’s face was grim as he took the seat opposite me. “It’s not hard to guess. They killed his cousin. Robert’s body will be hanging from Traitor’s Square by tomorrow, I reckon.”

I clenched my fist and cracked the delicate handle off the teacup. Stupid, impractical things. “Well, we need to stop Robert, Callum, before he does something stupid. Bring him back unconscious and tied in the back of a wagon if we have to.”

My friend sighed. “You can’t save everyone from their own stupidity. You know that. People here are restless. We need to focus on not letting anyone else do something stupid and protect our backs. If they catch Robert or any of your men searching for him and link them to you, it will give any one of your numerous enemies an opportunity to attack us.”

I snorted. “People here will be more restless if Robert dies. Send more people to find him. More of the guard when Cley returns and some female servants too. His sister. Bella might be able to persuade him.”

Callum gulped down his tea and poured himself another with irritated movements. “Kasten, if we send too many people to the capital, it will look suspicious, especially after the attempted assassination. People will wonder what you’re looking for. If Robert does do something stupid, remember, we don’t want people to trace the connection and blame you.”

I massaged my forehead and the pounding headache that was developing. “I don’t care, Callum, just bring him home. If anyone is going to execute him, it’s going to be me.”

Callum sat still for a moment, swirling his fresh cup of tea before drinking it in one gulp as if it were straight liquor. “I hope so,” he said at last. He set down his cup and met my eyes with a curious expression. “She’ll be here in a few hours. I was going to double-check that her room was ready, but the servants tell me you’ve already done so twice. The place looks like it’s been attacked by a florist.”

I shrugged, ignoring the rise of nerves. “She likes flowers. Or at least, I think she does. Plants anyway.”

Callum gave me a strange look. I didn’t reply.

He leaned forward with his elbows on his knees. “Well, are you happy with your new wife, Kasten? Has she said a single thing of interest yet?” When I didn’t reply, his smile gained a mean tilt. “Or is her mind full of nothing but clothes and furnishings?”

“Shut it, Callum, you know I’m not in the mood for this.” A strange surge of anger and protectiveness was rising up. I stood and strode to the window, but the feeling didn’t abate. I turned back to him and raised a finger. “I want to make something clear. If you say anything about my wife that isn’t respectful, you’ll be out on the street, do you understand? Any insults—veiled or otherwise—will end with you being run through.”

For once, Callum seemed to realize he couldn’t push me on this and frowned. His voice softened. “You really like her, don’t you?”

“Callum…”

He tilted his head as if he’d never seen me before. “When in all the kingdoms did this happen?”

I slammed my hand palm down on the desk. “We have five dead bodies from downtown to explain and a castle full of people bent on treason. We are not having this conversation. Get out and find Robert. Now!”

Sophie

Kasomere wasn’t frequently talked about in the capital, and I knew embarrassingly little about the rural estate that was to become my home. It was not a major trade post, and my father had never spoken of clients there. Its shadow loomed on the horizon, a great unknown ready to swallow me in its depths.