Page 95 of Starkeeper of the Fractured Crown

Raymond’s eyes narrowed to slits. “If my father weren’t expecting you, I’d drive a sword through your skull myself. Perhaps I’ll still have that opportunity before you leave.” With that, he turned and started through the castle.

I rolled my eyes and followed after him. There were a few different kinds of arrogance, and I’d met three versions of it in the last two months.

I didn’t think I could handle anymore versions of the same crude male.

“I’m sure this is all overwhelming for you, the beauty of it but if I find even a single thing missing, I’ll have you hung on the crosses.”

Yes, one small thing in here could get me enough to fill up three more cans of silver, at least, but I wouldn’t dare, not with Mark’s life on the line.

Raymond led me straight into the same room I had been in the last time I was here, but when he opened the door, it wasn’t just Raphael sitting at the table. There was another and she looked far more beautiful in the light of day than she had in the dark of night.

Evanora’s red hair hung to her waist, as straight as a board and her eyes were as blue as the moonlight I had first seen her in.

Her face was made up of sharp angles, makeup extenuating her lips and lashes. She was lithe, beautiful, someone I expected to be sitting in a position of power.

She was incredibly attractive, a seductress in her own way. If I had been a Gerodia, I wondered if I would have hit my knees at her feet too.

Raphael stood from the head of the table. “Excuse me.”

“Who is this?” Evanora asked, lifting her chin.

“Mark’s sister,” he answered, making his way around the table.

Raymond turned on me, taking me in again, disgust clear in his eyes. “Thisis his sister?” He scoffed. “And you want him to run my Court? How do you expect that to work when his sister looks like this? We can’t have a fat, ugly Kingsitting on our throne.”

I fought the urge to touch my stomach. I wasn’tfat. I had thicker curves, but I was not overweight. I could outrun, out maneuver, out steal any thief on the street.

“Enough, Raymond,” Raphael ordered, joining us. His eyes found mine. “Let’s go for a walk.”

“Wait, wait,” Evanora called, pulling my attention. The witch dabbed her red painted lips and stood, her features holding nothing but kindness. “I have yet to meet her.”

I remembered how angry and terrified I had been when I had first met Trick, yet I had still thrown a rock at him. I don’t think I would have had the same guts with Evanora.

I guess that said something about me.

She came to a stop in front of me and extended a dainty hand, her nails painted red, rings on nearly every finger. “Evanora Pensin.”

I wondered if she assumed nobody in Therian knew who she was. Why else introduce herself with a different last name?

I took her hand and nodded ever so slightly. “Astraea.”

“Astraea,” she greeted without a hitch. “What a beautiful name. I’ve heard so much about your brother, and I look forward to meeting him.”

“Evanora,” Raphael spoke softly. A quiet, respectful warning.

She covered her mouth, eyes shining as she took a step back. “My apologies, it’s still in discussion. Go, speak about it. I’ll finish breakfast with my darling little Raymond.” She slid her hand over Raymond’s shoulderand kissed him lightly on the cheek.

My skin crawled. Something about the gesture felt too intimate.

“Come,” Raphael gestured towards the door.

I didn’t hesitate to follow him. I’d rather be with him than linger with the Wicked Witch of the Human Court.

We walked in silence through the winding halls, knights, and servants everywhere. I hated this place. It was filled with people, but it felt lonely. No one even looked at Raphael as they bowed to him when they passed. There was no talking, no sign of comradery. It was horrible.

Finally, he led me to a glass door, and through it I could see a thick garden filled with flowers and vines. Thriving.

He opened it for me, the scent refreshing, the air cool. I took in all of it, feeling true awe. “It’s beautiful,” I mentioned as he shut the door behind us.

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