Page 43 of Stars May Burn

Whitehill had fallen.

It was one of my nightmares come to life. Whitehill had always been an unbreachable certainty. And now that the enemy had it, they would likely keep it as a foothold for months to come, if not years. They would be well fortified there.

How could the king move the garrison? How could he risk this? Was he so determined to get me killed that he would happily hand over a part of his kingdom to those monsters?

After speaking to Callum, I went to the barracks and the drill square to bolster the troops. We had lived through nightmares before. Maybe, just maybe…

I could feel my worries bubbling under the surface, fears ready to rear their ugly heads when I was alone for the night and nobody was left to see. Nobody left to distract me. I would sweat and shake until the night was over, and then I would rise even more exhausted than before.

As dusk turned to night, and I was downing whiskey and putting off my attempt at sleep for as long as possible, the keeper of messages knocked on my door. He cradled the kryalcomy device only used in times of dire need to send messages straight from the king. The three colored lights flashed in a pattern over and over.

I raised my eyes to the trembling man. “What does he say?”

The man licked his lips. “The king orders you to take two regiments and reclaim Whitehill without delay. No matter the cost.”

My heart thudded. No blockades. No forts. No time to prepare. He wanted us to take back that impenetrable fortress with just two thousand men.

His trap snapped shut.

This was going to be a bloodbath.

Sophie

Kasten had come to me.

My heart beat loud in my chest as he stood motionless by the door, wearing chainmail under his long, smart coat. One hand rested on his sword. His tall broad figure would have been intimidating on any battlefield. Especially coupled with the sharp shadows of his face.

How had this come around so fast?

There had been so few times I had seen him, let alone talked to him, and the last two had been unpleasant. I felt the pressure to make every moment count, so I plastered a bright smile on my face as I walked toward him. Still, his severe expression didn’t change. I could feel his dark eyes burning into me, analyzing my every movement, but I refused to turn coy. What if this was the last time I ever saw him?

“My lord,” I started, stopping a few feet away from him. “Thank you for making the time to see me. I know how busy you are with having to mobilize the troops so fast.”

His expression didn’t soften, but his hand circled the hilt of his sword as if restless. “My lady, are you well?”

My smile grew more genuine. “Very well, thanks to your thought and care. You have given me many lovely gifts. The staff here are attentive and kind. The gardens are beautiful.”

A tiny bit of tension melted from his shoulders. “I came to say farewell before I return to the campaign. The king sent an urgent request last night.”

“Oh,” I tried to hide the disappointment as my heart sank at his abruptness and formality. I got the impression he wanted this conversation over with as quickly as possible. His hand continued to fidget on his sword. I still wasn’t sure why I made him so uncomfortable. Maybe all he cared about was the war and his people. But then, why had he gone to such lengths to make me feel welcome with the flowers and jewelry? Maybe he was simply kind. I’d seen so much evidence of this fact and not only directed toward me. Harsh but kind. I’d never known such a combination was possible.

I folded my hands neatly over my skirts and tried to stay optimistic. “When will you return, my lord?”

He looked into the shadowed corner of the room, the corners of his full lips angled down. “I don’t know. I fear I may not return at all. You know I don’t have the king’s favor. But if I don’t return, I’ve made arrangements to ensure a favorable future for you.”

My blood ran cold. Hearing the despair underlying his voice made me more scared than any conversation I’d had with Callum. I took a step forward so we were almost touching. “Don’t say things like that. Of course, you will return.” I made my voice firm and confident, trying to give him hope.

His expression hardened even further and my mouth dried. How did somebody so young manage to look so serious? So despondent. “While I am gone, Mistress Rose will work with you to help you run the estate as you see fit. You may instigate and change whatever you wish. Sir Jordan knows to come to you if there are any concerns in the wider city.”

The weight of his words settled over me. My eyes widened. “You’re putting me in complete charge of running your estates?”

“Yes. You’re my wife, are you not? Mistress Rose will teach you everything you need to know about running the castle that you don’t know already. In the event of my death, everything passes to you, but with certain conditions attached.” He held up a finger. “It will remain in your name only until your death when you may choose who to pass it on to. You must manage the estates personally.” He raised an eyebrow with an intense gaze layered with meaning. “It will not be possible for your father to take control of it. Or any future husband. Or the crown. You will be able to remain here and do as you wish.”

My heartbeat sped up. The air seemed thin. “I don’t understand.”

His voice quieted. “Be happy, Sophie. Don’t grieve for me.” His hand lifted from his side toward my face. I didn’t dare breathe, waiting for his skin to touch mine, but it stopped midair, hovering over my cheek. He lowered his eyes and turned to the door, his shoulders sagging.

It took me a moment to realize he was leaving and didn’t intend to say anything more. “Wait, please, my lord. One moment. I have two things for you.”

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