Page 90 of Fallen Star

“It can move as far as it wants diagonally,” I add, not wanting to completely crush his ego. “So, it’s not useless. It’s just… situational.”

Victoria snorts quietly, and I give her a look, but Jake doesn’t seem to notice. He’s too busy examining the wood again, as if reconsidering his choice.

“You know,” he says after a moment, “I think I can make it work. Diagonals are underrated, right?”

“Absolutely.” I smile despite myself. “You’ll be the master of diagonals.”

“Damn right I will.” He starts carving with exaggerated confidence, his movements clumsy but determined.

Isla, meanwhile, is attacking her soon-to-be king with so much focus that I half-expect her to carve it into dust.

I run my fingers over the smooth grain of the wood that I’m holding, letting the rhythm of carving soothe me.

The others are equally as focused, and I give them pointers, so they have places to start.

“So,” I say casually, glancing up from my work. “What do you all think we could make besides chess pieces? Specifically, things that are useful?”

“Useful, how?” Elijah asks.

“Tools,” I say softly. “To help us. Somehow.”

Sebastian pauses his carving. “What are you getting at?”

“Getting out of here.” I run my blade along the wood’s grain, keeping my movements smooth. “The yarn could be braided into rope. The clay could be used to make impressions of keys...”

Isla’s hands pause mid-carve, Elijah shifts closer, and Tanya’s shoulders tense, although she doesn’t look up.

“Are you actually this stupid?” Victoria’s sharp voice cuts through the quiet.

“Victoria—” Jake starts, but she cuts him off.

“No, I want to know.” She sets down her half-carved piece. “Because apparently Prince Aerix was right about you. You really are too dense to understand how things work around here.”

“And how do things work here, Victoria?” I ask, although I keep carving, not wanting to let her get me riled up. Or at least, not wanting her toseethat she’s getting me riled up.

“There’s no escape,” she says, keeping her voice to a whisper. “The wards, the fae, the guards—we’re powerless here. But hey, maybe you can try swimming away through the moat.” Her lips curl into a cruel smile. “But wait—you can’t swim, can you?”

My knife slips, nearly cutting my finger. “How do you know that?”

“People talk.” She glances around the circle, and the others avoid my eyes. “Everyone knows about your little performance for the king. How pathetic you looked flopping around in that bloody water. How you’re only alive because Prince Aerix wants to use you and break you. When you’re used up, he’ll have broken you so much that you won’t even be suitable for the barns. He’ll simply drain and throw you into the moat. With a bit left in you to add to the rest of the blood in there, of course.”

Ice runs through my veins, and I place what I’ve started of my knight onto the ground. “Has that ever happened?”

“The royals enjoy knowing that certain pets only belong to them,” she says. “They’d rather them dead than have them become scraps for the nobles.”

“Prince Aerix normally isn’t like that,” Jake adds, glancing at Lacey, Katerina, and Brenda—who are playing cards on the opposite side of the courtyard—before turning his attention back to his bishop.

The message is clear.

Prince Malakaiislike that.

No wonder those three are so haunted. And who knows what else he does to them behind closed doors.

As for Victoria…

“I know we’re all trapped here. And I know we’re all scared.” I set down my knife, meeting her gaze. “But we should be helping each other. Giving each other hope. Finding ways to make this bearable, at least. Because right now? The only ones benefiting from us fighting are the fae who put us here.”

“I’m not scared.” Victoria stands abruptly, her piece of wood falling forgotten to the grass. “But have fun playing with your toys. See how far that gets you.”

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