Page 39 of Stars May Burn

Callum nodded. “It does. Very observant. Many of Lord Lyrason’s private devices do. The ones that wouldn’t get him in as much trouble, anyway. Though this one… Let’s just say his brazenness in marking it makes me worry about who he has in his back pocket.”

I chewed my lip for a moment. “So do all the lords make illegal kryalcomy? I’ve never heard of this before now.”

Callum shook his head. “No. It takes huge amounts of skill, money, and resources. Plus they risk severe consequences if they’re caught. Normally one would require great motivation.”

I frowned. “And what is Lord Lyrason’s?”

He sighed. “That is what we’re all trying to find out. What is that slime ball of a man up to?”

I couldn’t help but smile at the description. I took a deep breath and plowed on. “And what is it that you make, Callum? What is your and Kasten’s great motivation?”

He gave me a wry smile. “Kasten would skin me alive if I answered that. But let’s just say I like to try to keep us alive. No greater motivation than your own skin.”

My mouth dried, and I lowered my voice, leaning in as close as I could. “You make illegal weapons and protections, don’t you? For the war?”

Callum’s eyes grew hard, though he wasn’t focused on me now. “I keep us alive, Sophie. Or at least, I try.”

“But you don’t think it will be enough this time?” My words were only a breath.

Callum leaned forward and rubbed his forehead. For the first time he looked genuinely distressed. “I don’t know. But last time was bad. Really bad. I suspect this time will be worse.”

KASTEN

Ireturned to the castle to be told, once again, that Sophie was in the gardens. I was glad the incident six days ago hadn’t dissuaded her from going somewhere that clearly brought her so much pleasure.

The Red Men wouldn’t be bothering us again anytime soon. Every time I thought about them, my blood ran hot. Their audacity was astounding. Their attempted assassination of a noble close to the king was foolish enough, but trying to threaten me to force me to aid them? Especially after I had freed Jack? They’d lost every last shred of common sense.

They’d had my sympathies before. Now they had nothing. And I had left Jacob tied up for the Adenburg city guard.

I watched Sophie out of the window. Why she had chosen such a peripheral area for her garden patch, I had no idea. It was one of the most run-down areas of our lands. And I could only view half of it through the beech trees. But at least it was still close to the castle, even if I had to enter the second floor servants’ area to see it through the window. I was pleased to see Meena had two other guards shadowing her. Sophie seemed remarkably unshaken, considering she’d been attacked in the gardens before. In fact, she seemed to be in her element.

The young gardener, Tom, was heading toward her. He was one of four gardeners who spoke with her often. I suspected she had charmed them all without realizing it. She waved at him and smiled as he approached. A pang of envy mixed with jealousy made me clench my jaw. Which was stupid. I wanted her to be happy. I wanted her to make friends. But if he made one inappropriate move…

She was pointing to various areas of her garden, and he leaned over her neat rows of freshly planted shrubs with interest. Occasionally, he asked a question or pointed to something. When she came to the final row, she seemed deflated, and I fought the urge to fidget. Something was wrong.

Tom bent over some shrubs, then said something and hurried off. Sophie stayed crouched next to the final row of shrubs as if searching for something among them. I’d never had an interest in gardens, nor much time to enjoy them. They seemed nothing more than an expensive necessity that came with big castles and lands. Something to entertain guests or produce food for the castle. Seeing my wife deflated while I would be useless in this area made me hope that Tom would damn well fix it.

Tom hurried back. He had a flowerpot with a similar green shrub in his hands. Sophie stood to examine it. She spoke excitedly to Tom. He hurried away, leaving the shrub. It looked exactly like the ones on the ground. I dragged my hand down my face. I couldn’t work this out.

She was still studying Tom’s plant with a smile that made my heart beat faster. The gardener returned with a sack over one shoulder. He dumped it at her feet, and she bent to carefully place the shrub beside her before looking in the sack.

Her face changed and she got that look. The one where her eyes widened and every feature seemed to shine, her whole body bursting with energy. Joy. My mouth dried, and I stepped up to the glass, studying the transformation.

Sophie jumped to her feet and threw her arms around Tom. He stood rigid and taken aback. She seemed to remember herself and stepped back. I could imagine her stuttered apology, but the way she shone… Tom seemed to notice it too. He beamed.

“Kasten!”

I jumped back from the glass, swearing.

Callum approached and followed my gaze, folding his arms. “You standing here, staring at her all the time—it isn’t normal, you realize. In fact, it’s a bit creepy.”

I shrugged, frowning. “She’s my wife.” I was allowed to watch her.

Callum sighed theatrically. “Then treat her like your wife and actually talk with her.”

I sighed, heaviness filling my chest. “I’ve made her happy.” I looked back out the window. “Look at her. She’s happy. She is as free as I can make her. That’s enough. Nothing good would ever come of her knowing me or this mess we’re in.”

Callum slapped me on the back. “Maybe this is your chance to be happy, rather than being so sour about everything.”

---