Page 78 of Stars May Burn

Kasten had gone very still. He wasn’t looking at me and had lowered his head until his fringe shadowed his eyes. I reached out and touched his sleeve, resting my fingers lightly on the velvet. “It wasn’t that bad, Kasten.”

He shook his head slowly, his eyes and upper cheekbones still in shadow. “Sometimes I wish I’d been the one to kill him.”

I shivered, but didn’t lean away, my fingers lingering on his sleeve. “You shouldn’t say things like that. He was my husband. And nobody killed him. He died of an illness. Consumption.”

Kasten shifted under my touch and tilted his head toward me. “Is that what you believe? Many think your father killed him.”

I swallowed and removed my hand. “I would never believe such a thing. Not without significant evidence, anyway.”

Kasten gave a minute shrug and flexed his jaw. “Well, if you wanted to investigate, many of our people have the skills to do so subtly.”

An unexpected surge of fear made me clutch my hands together. “No. We shouldn’t cross Father. He will be angry enough that I sent Miss Claris and George away.”

Kasten looked at me for a long moment without speaking, his eyes intent as he studied my face. At last, he broke the tension by cutting the meat on his plate and taking a bite. “As you wish.”

I nodded, and the iron bars around my ribcage disappeared.

I ate my food and tried to not let my thoughts drift back to Frederick or Father. Instead, I dwelt on this little moment of calm happiness before anything else could take it away from me.

SOPHIE

Despite Kasten’s warnings, I felt nothing but excitement and anticipation when the time came to leave for our house in Adenburg, the day before the ball. Kasten rode next to the carriage and occasionally called down to point out landmarks or birds or ask if the motion of the carriage made me feel sick.

Beatrice and Lucy sat in the opposite seat and grinned every time Kasten spoke to me. Their teasing was enough to make my cheeks heat.

The summer sun had baked the surrounding hills to ochre. It was refreshing to see the gradual change to green as we journeyed westward and the return of taller, luscious trees. The air itself felt lighter. However, leaving Kasomere filled me with a surprising pang of loss. I hadn’t realized how much I saw it as my home now.

We arrived in the evening and Kasten locked himself away with some of his men, explaining they were the ones who kept an eye on Lord Lyrason’s halfsouls. I went to bed hoping he wouldn’t go out patrolling the streets himself tonight.

The following morning was spent preparing for the ball. When important people visited Adenburg from their country estates, it was customary for them to call on their neighbors of higher station and for those lower in station to call on them. But it seemed Kasten’s reputation scared away any potential visitors, and although Kasten was illegitimate, we were still higher in station than all our neighbors due to his royal blood. I would have to see if I could improve that situation and encourage some guests, but I was secretly glad I could save my energy for the conversations this evening.

After a light lunch, I was surprised by a knock on the door. Kasten entered, and my maids bowed before leaving. I didn’t think Kasten had ever entered my rooms before.

He held out a jewelry box fastened with ribbon. “I had this made for you.”

I studied his blank expression as I took it from him. “Thank you.” The fluttering sensation returned to my stomach as I slowly opened the box.

Inside was a simple silver necklace with a locket. On its front was a blue flower, its petals made by tiny sapphires and emeralds forming its leaves. I smiled as I freed it and held it up to the light. “It’s beautiful. Please, could you fasten it for me?”

Kasten cleared his throat as I pulled my hair over one shoulder. He took the chain and fastened the clasp around the back of my neck. He seemed to take great care not to let his fingers brush my skin, and I tried not to let embarrassment creep in with his closeness.

“This necklace has a reserve disk on its back, where it rests against your chest. It’s fully charged. In an emergency, you can draw on it for strength.”

I looked down in wonder. “How do I do that?”

“You press down on the center of the flower and ensure the back is touching your skin. The longer you press, the more strength you’ll get. I had it made after the incident with the men who followed you in Kasomere. It should give you a chance of outrunning any future threats.”

I nodded and turned to face him. “Thank you. I will always wear it.”

He licked his lips, keeping his eyes on the floor. “Wear it tonight. Even if it doesn’t go with your dress or whatever things are meant to go with. I know it’s not that grand, but I would feel better knowing you had it.”

I twiddled it between my fingers. “Of course. I was thinking of wearing blue and silver anyway, since they’re our house colors. You’ve given me so many lovely gowns. It’s going to be nice to finally wear one out of the house.”

He glanced at the multiple dresses spread out on my bed before returning his gaze to me. His eyes studied my face, slipping down to my mouth, then darting back up to my eyes. He rubbed the back of his neck. “I…er…shall see you at five o’clock then.”

He gave a sharp nod and left the room. I clutched the necklace and twisted it between my fingers, smiling to myself. He had given me many presents before, but this was the first he’d given me in person. I had been taking my homemade tonic to increase my blood pressure, but if I ever did feel dizzy again, maybe strength from this would keep it at bay so I wouldn’t have to feel weak anymore. I grinned and rang the bell for my maids.

I felt like I was walking on clouds as our carriage pulled up in front of the palace. Kasten had been tense and silent beside me, and I tentatively rested a hand on his knee for comfort, glad when he didn’t pull away from my touch. He wore black again with gold embroidery on the cuffs and lapels of his coat. It was understated but suited him perfectly. Callum, on the other hand, wore a shoulder cape of red and blue, a frilly cravat and a tear drop earring on a chain from one ear. He couldn’t look any more ostentatious.

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