Page 30 of Flame and Starlight

“Alyssandra,” Asher said, and my eyes sprang open. He was pale, and his forehead was slick with sweat. “Stop. Let go, please,” he said through clenched teeth. I shook the haze from my thoughts, mentally shook magick from my arm, and sat up straighter. His shoulders slumped, and the color started to creep back into his face.

“I’m sorry,” I said, curling my knees up to my chest. “I didn’t realize what I was doing.”

He glanced at me, and I waited until his breathing returned to normal. He sat up and placed his elbows on his knees.

“I’ve never had anyone able to touch my magick before. That’s what you were doing, right?”

“I think? I could just sense it and—” I stopped trying to explain because I knew I couldn’t without sounding crazy.

“You’re much stronger than I expected,” he said, and I thought I heard a hint of admiration in his voice.

“Well, that’s good news. Once I learn how to use it properly, I’ll be able to take care of myself.”

“It is a relief,” he said bluntly, staring into the fire. I ignored the sinking feeling in my gut. I didn’t like change, and I didn’t like that once I could take care of myself, he could and probably would kick me out. “The Winter Solstice is coming up in a week,” he said, suddenly changing the subject.

“Do you celebrate Christmas?” I crossed my legs like a pretzel and leaned closer.

“Kind of,” he said, a smile playing at his lips.

“I love Christmas.” I smiled when he looked up at me. “My mom used to go crazy for it. She would decorate the entire house until it lit up like a Christmas tree, inside and out.” I ignored the dull ache in my heart. Even if she hadn’t given birth to me, it didn’t make her any less of a mother. And it certainly didn’t ease the pain of missing her.

“Well, I thought we might go to the Winter Court for the Solstice. They’re close to me, in distance and in a political relationship. I’ve been invited and, if you wanted to get out of here for a while, you could come with me.”

My heart beat so hard in my chest I thought it might burst free. “I can come with you? What about keeping me hidden?”

He leaned back into the couch and crossed one leg over the other. “You’ve been locked away long enough.” He sighed. “Honestly, I’m sure he knows by now that I’m the one that took you.” He finished his drink. “His court won’t be invited. It will be safe enough.” His eyes locked on mine then, turning my already warm insides to mush. “And I won’t let you out of my sight, dearest.”

I swallowed, wondering if that was a threat or a promise.

“I’d love to go.”

“Good.” He smiled. “There’s something else, Alys.” He took a breath and looked past me. “I’d like to ask for your help.”

“Okay,” I said tentatively.

“I’d like you to use your gift while we’re there. It could really help me figure out who my allies are.”

Oh.

I tried not to let it hurt my feelings that I had read the situation differently. I cringed and assured myself he didn’t know what it felt like to feel others’ emotions. Because if he did, he wouldn’t be asking me this. I eyed him warily. He may have gone about it the wrong way, but he did supposedly save my life by stealing me away. He’d given me a place to stay and food to eat. Would it really be so awful to spend a weekend helping him trust the people around him?

“I can try.”

His lips turned up in a grim smile. Maybe he did know what he was asking of me after all. He stood, offering me his hand. I looked at it and pushed myself up and off the couch without touching him. His face fell, but a smirk was painted back across his mouth so quickly that I wasn’t sure I actually saw it happen.

“I’ll have Mavka pack your things. We leave in four days.” He turned his back on me as he went to sit at his desk. The floor felt colder now under my bare feet as I silently made my way to the door.

“Good night,” I whispered as I pulled the door shut behind me.

PART TWO

WINTER

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

I watched as Mavka pulled each dress off a rack and explained what they were for. I had day dresses, evening gowns, and plenty of cloaks, gloves, and hats. I wanted to ask why I would have to change so many times throughout the day, but she looked as though she was enjoying herself, and I didn’t want to spoil it. Each dress got meticulously folded and placed into a wooden trunk at the foot of my bed.

I stood, leaning against the bedpost, watching as layer upon layer of fabric was packed up for me. I was dressed in a long-sleeve dress with a neckline that stopped right at my collarbone. The material wasn’t as heavy as velvet, but it was thick and warm and brushed the ground when I walked. The cut in the side of it that ended just above my knee was the only part of it that exposed any skin. It was a sage-green color, and the heels I was told I had to wear were nude with a thick heel.

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