Page 74 of Fallen Star

“Zoey,” Lacey says my name again, pity filling her eyes. “There are no magical herbs in that garden. And if you keep digging around like this, you’re going to get yourself sent to the barns.”

The barns.

Hearing it said like that makes me shiver.

Katerina’s looking at me like I’m a dead girl walking.

Brenda moves closer to Katerina and takes her hand in a small gesture of comfort.

“The barns won’t be an issue,” Henry cuts in, his eyes trailing down my body in a way that makes my skin crawl. “Aerix won’t be casting this one aside anytime soon. She’s far too... entertaining to look at.”

“It’s funny.” I step forward, unwilling to back down. “You talk like you’re in charge, but as far as I can see, you have no crown, no wings, and no magic. You’re as powerless as the rest of us.”

His eyes flash with anger, and I brace myself for him to lash out.

“No wings, no title, and no magic—but I’m still standing,” he says, calmer than I expected. “That’s more than some of us can say.”

I can’t help but glance at Katerina, who’s still staring down at her feet, refusing to look at me.

“You’re pretty.” Henry moves closer, apparently not done yet. “But pretty can only get you so far. And if you keep talking like that, you’ll learn how quickly things can go wrong. Because around here, it’s not just the fae you need to worry about.”

“You think you’re a threat to me?” I say, even though from what he’s saying, it sounds like he might be. “Because you lean against a tree and throw around cheap warnings? Let me guess—you’re trying to feel powerful in a place that’s made sure you’ll never be anything but a pet, just like the rest of us.”

Jake shifts beside me, his posture tense, but he stays silent.

This is my fight to win—or lose.

Henry’s smirk falters, but he recovers quickly. “You’ve got spirit,” he says, with obviously mock approval. “But spirit doesn’t mean much when it gets you sent to the barns—or worse.”

“Spirit’s gotten me through life just fine so far.” I cross my arms, meeting his gaze head-on.

Hopefully he doesn’t see how rattled I am inside. Because sure, my spirit’s gotten me though things like arguing my grades up, fighting for a prime spot on the tennis team, and pushing myself to learn new skills in gymnastics.

But none of that comes close to being anything like the place and situation I’ve been thrown into here.

“You don’t get it yet, do you?” Henry chuckles, low and humorless. “The fae don’t care about spirit. They care about obedience, beauty, and submission. You’ve got the beauty, which should keep you going for a few months. But keep playing tough, and you’ll see that your looks will only get you so far.”

Jake steps in, his hand brushing mine—a silent offer of solidarity. “Henry,” he says, steady but firm. “Back off. She’s new. She doesn’t need this from you.”

“Fine.” Henry throws his hands up in mock surrender, although it doesn’t stop him from checking me out again. “Do whatever you want. Just don’t say I didn’t warn you.”

“Noted,” I say, as flatly as I can manage.

He steps away, retreating toward the tree he’d been leaning on earlier, and the other girls follow his lead. “Good luck, Zoey,” he calls over his shoulder. “You’ll need it.”

The space between me and Jake is silent for a few seconds.

All I can do is stare at where Henry was just standing, with a strange mix of anger and fear racing through my veins.

“Come on,” Jake says, bringing me out of my frustrated haze. “Let’s go to the garden. You said you wanted to see if there were any useful herbs there, right?”

I highly doubt he knows anything about herbs, but it’ll be a good activity to take my mind off everything.

Keeping my brain occupied is my favorite way to push aside my worries and doubts.

So, together, we walk over to the garden.

“I’m sorry about them,” he says once we’re out of their earshot. “Henry especially. Being one of the queen’s pets has gone to his head.”

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