Page 43 of Celestial Bodies

With Haligran away, Julen knew it was time to speak to his mother about the wedding. He had been so close to her at one time. He used to be her confidante. They used to fear Haligran together, but that all changed as he grew older.

His coming to her tonight was another desperate attempt to reconnect the link that once united them. He had dreamed that maybe, just maybe, things could be as they were, and she wouldunderstand.

Julen had to stop it. Souzie’s words echoed in his mind. The thought of escaping felt unsettling. He couldn’t understand why. Lapistra had never treated him kindly, so why not leave? Why try to mend things with his family?

Because his heart desperately wanted to be accepted by them, he wanted his mother to see his true self and to love him anyway. Her reaction would determine what he did next.

He had to try and see if even a sliver of the relationship they once had remained.

Julen arrived at the door to his parents’ bedchamber, and he nearly doubled over. He startled at the echo of his knocking.

The rustling behind the door gave way to his mother’s strained voice calling, “Who is it? Do you know what hour it is?”

His mother’s words bore into Julen like daggers. She sounded…off.

His Adam’s apple bobbed as he swallowed, then said, “It’s Julen, mother. May I have a word?”

She unlocked the door and revealed herself. Her bloodshot eyes looked, not at, but through Julen. Her swaying and sallow skin revealed her state. She had been drinking. Julen always knew when she had been drinking.

She cleared her throat. “Darling. Is something the matter?”

He should go. Turn around and return to his room.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t realize… I will go.”

He went to leave, but her hand reached for his. “Nonsense. Please come in.”

She moved to the side, inviting Julen in. He took a breath and crossed the threshold of her room.

Vibrant tapestries adorned the chamber walls. Candlelight glimmered off his mother’s cosmetic vials, and the red upholstery of the furniture had gold leaves stitched in it.

Julen strode to the center of the room and looked around, determining where best to sit before deciding that standing was the easiest choice.

“Thank you so much for speaking with me, Mother.”

She sat in a chair by the window. “Of course, darling. We have to discussthe floral arrangements for the wedding, anyway.” Her lazy smile didn’t reach her eyes.

Just breathe.A cold chill traveled down Julen’s spine. His stomach rumbled, and he regretted not sitting because he thought he might faint.

He pushed his voice past the lump in his throat and blurted out, “I want to call off the wedding.”

That’s not precisely how Julen had rehearsed it in his mind, but there it was.

His mother’s expressionless face held Julen’s gaze. “Why on Vexora would you want to call off the wedding?”

He steadied himself and imagined his feet growing roots and sinking into the floor to keep him from toppling over. His chest heaved as he said, “I saw Glacia having… relations with another man in the labyrinth during the engagement party.She doesn’t love me, and I don’t love her. I love someone else.”

Her eyes grew wide, and suspicion laced her glare. She motioned to the table beside her bed. “Hand me that chalice, Julen.”

Julen fetched the chalice. The intoxin smelled stronger than anything he had ever had in Cupidor, and he cursed himself for going through with this conversation. He should have left. It was too late now.

She took a long drink and sat it on the table beside her. “Surely one little tryst in the maze isn’t enough to end an entire engagement. We’ve already sent the invitations.”

Julen stared at his mother, speechless. A cold chill came over him, and he thought he had imagined the response.

“Did you hear what I said? She was making love to someone at our engagement party, mother. I love someone—”

“I heard what you said, Julen, and don’t presume this is new information. I know everything that happens in this castle and on its grounds. Including your sneaking away so often. To the archives, yes?”

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