Page 64 of The Breaker of Stars

I pushed back to look up at my friend. “I know, but I?—”

“No, you don’t understand.” He shook his head. “Titus says you belong to him. Not as an apprentice. As property, like it’s tied by magic or something.”

Unease snaked down my spine, but in its wake, indignation rose. My spirit reared within me as if lit by the hottest starfire the Fates could muster.

“I am no one’s property,” I ground out. I’d once belonged to someone, to a master and an age-old structure.

Never again.

Never again would I be at the mercy of anyone. My choice was my power now.

“I didn’t realize how the chancellor viewed you when I signed a contract with him,” Harlen said. “I hope you can believe that.”

And though I remained wary of offering him trust, to an extent, I did. He had betrayed me, but Harlen had been as damaged as I was by the temples. I didn’t think for a moment that he would support the chancellor demanding ownership of me or any other warrior.

It had been the lost boy within Harlen making that misguided deal to save the friend he missed.

Taking a step back, I sank onto the edge of my bed.

“How did it happen?” I asked. “The contract.”

“He preyed on my weakness.” Harlen shrugged and sat beside me, bracing his elbows on his knees. “Said you were in trouble and that you’d asked for my help. You were like my sister, Vale. I couldn’t leave you. He told me the Mystiques held you prisoner and that he suspected you’d be returning on orders from the new Revered, but only briefly.” He folded his hands, fingers fidgeting. “Titus wanted me to help you get away from your guard and return you here so he could protect you. And he made me an apprentice in exchange for my help.”

An apprentice. Another stinging betrayal against the wounds in my heart. I was so imperative yet so easily replaced.

I shook my head. “He was never the one protecting me.”

But even as I said it, a twisted feeling wrenched through my gut.

“I see that now. I saw it when the Mystique threw that knife at my head.” A sly smirk twisted his lips. “That was not a bodyguard protecting his prisoner. That was…something deeper.”

“I need to see him,” I said, spinning on the bed and tucking my legs beneath me.

“I don’t know if it’s a good idea.”

“Please, Harls. Bring him here. I won’t ever leave my room.” It wouldn’t appease Titus, but at least if he thought I was staying where he wanted me, I could spin that obedience in an argument. “And then, we need to get him out. Can you help me?”

I didn’t ask about myself. I knew where tonight ended for me.

“Fine.” Harlen sighed and strode to the door. “Dinner will be in an hour, though. We’ll have to be quick. Wait here.”

“Okay,” I said, fidgeting with the edge of my cloak.

As he gripped the door handle, Harlen turned over his shoulder. “I’m sorry, Vale. I was only trying to protect you.”

I gave him a tight-lipped nod. Not forgiveness, but partnership. “I have learned to be my own protector, Harls.”

“I’m proud of you for that.” His eyes shifted to the wardrobe beside the balcony doors. “He’ll want you to change, you know. That cloak…it will only anger him more.”

Then, he was out the door, and I was left staring at the wardrobe, dread hardening in my gut.

Chapter Twenty-Six

Vale

“Vale!” Cypherion tore into the room with none of the cool collection I’d grown to expect from him.

I looked over his shoulder at Harlen. Get him out tonight, I begged with one last look at my friend. He nodded and left, pulling the door closed so Cypherion and I could have a moment of privacy.

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