Page 85 of Stars May Burn

I hated myself. Hated that I was the king’s loyal dog who licked his hand while he got thousands of people killed trying to get rid of me.

There’s no future for you, Kasten.

I knew that. I had always known that. But why did those words hurt differently than before? Speaking to my father was harder than it had been previously. For the first time, I wanted to survive.

Wanted it with every fiber of my being.

I clenched my fists and wished I could punch something. Preferably Duke James’s face.

From down the corridor, music swelled. I shook my head to clear it. It would be dinnertime soon. I should find Sophie.

I turned the corner and dived back when I saw the back profiles of the queen walking arm in arm with Lord Lyrason. Two people I really didn’t want to talk to. But why was he with the queen? What was he up to now?

No. Now was not the time to get distracted further. Sophie. I had to find Sophie.

As I left the corridor, a servant passed me a note without speaking. What now? I had half a mind to just toss it away.

I broke the plain seal and read the short message.

‘Kasten, I have a lot of respect for you. But if you continue to interfere, I will have to kill you, your wife, and your friend. Consider your next moves carefully.’

I could only assume it was from Lord Lyrason. It was like he could read my mind. I shivered, crumpled up the note, and found a fire to toss it in.

SOPHIE

The seating arrangements for dinner were apparently a complicated affair that Kasten completely ignored, choosing three seats far away from the king’s table, and glaring at any servant who approached to move us. Every other guest was after an honored place near the front of the room, and the poor servants directed the guests as if they were stepping on eggshells. More than one noble made a frustrated comment or demanded to exchange places, some even dragging up recent scandals as evidence they should be seated closer than others.

Kasten watched it all with a bored expression while Callum grinned as if thoroughly entertained. Since his return from the king’s office, my husband had been quiet and distracted. He barely looked at me. I didn’t know if I should ask about what had been said. Though even if I did, it would hardly be an appropriate conversation for the palace.

Once everyone was settled, the noise died down as we waited for the first course to be served. My stomach growled in anticipation as I imagined royal delicacies such as I’d never seen. And I didn’t have Miss Claris here to chaperone what and how much I ate.

The king stood, and I felt Kasten tense beside me, even though we were seated far from the king. I rested a hand on his knee under the table, and he relaxed slightly, covering my fingers with the weight of his own, which sent warm shivers through my chest. I couldn’t help a small smile as some of the emotions from our dance returned. He hadn’t withdrawn to a place beyond my reach.

It was hard to focus on anything other than Kasten’s hand, but I forced my attention back to the king standing above us all. It hit me suddenly that this was Kasten’s father. I’d always known that, but seeing them here in the same room, it struck me how unfair and confusing that was. The king wore a mustache and a beard while Kasten was clean shaven, but I could still see the strong similarity in the nose, cheekbones, and jaw.

That man was trying to kill my husband. That man was a mass murderer.

But here with his pristine white jacket of gold brocade covered by a dozen medals and his fine manners, it seemed impossible. He smiled as he addressed the room, and I felt his eyes linger on me for a moment. Kasten’s hand tightened under the table. I interlocked my fingers with his.

After the normal ramble of pleasantries expected from a host, he paused for effect. “I would like to take this chance to announce some important news. Tonight, I plan to betroth my dearest daughter to one of you. One whose loyalty and commitment has always been unquestioned. One I would be honored to call a son.”

The tension and excitement in the room rose. I scanned the royal table to find the princess. She looked beautiful with her tanned skin and golden hair pulled over one shoulder. If she was nervous about who she was about to marry, she didn’t show it. But as I studied her face more closely, I realized she was just as hard to read as Kasten. Her bright red smile was just a mask.

My husband cocked his head and stroked his chin in thought. I wondered if he had any relationship with his half sister. Before I could ask, he took his wine glass and attempted to drain it.

Callum grumbled beside me. “If he chooses Lord Lyrason, I’m going to vomit.”

Kasten snorted into his cup.

I scanned the tables for Lord Lyrason. I knew little of him personally, but every time I’d seen him, he appeared as calm, polite, and smiling as he had during our conversation earlier. He had a way of looking at you through his glasses which made you feel seen and empathized with—apparently, another person whose appearance could deceive, especially after his casual threat to Callum earlier.

I found the lord sitting near the front, dressed in his smart navy jacket. He had straightened, craning to hear the king’s next words.

“Lord Lyrason looks like he expects it to be him,” I whispered.

Kasten’s thumb swept over the back of my hand in response. He leaned forward slightly as if worried.

The king grinned at the suspense he had created. “Lord Venerick, would you accept the honor of my daughter’s hand?”

---