Page 135 of Until the Stars Fall

“Oh, I know you can. But it seemed like the right thing to say regardless.”

During the entire walk to the dining room, my stomach flipped and flopped uncontrollably, like a fish trying to find its way back to the water. Pressing my hand to my chest, I tried to soothe my racing heartbeat. But when Brennan guided me into the room and I caught sight of Connor occupying his usual seat, all of my efforts failed. His eyes lifted to mine and held me hostage.

Heat flooded my face.

The last time I’d seen him was in that dream when we’d—

“Breathe,” Brennan whispered into my ear, and I blinked away the memories. He pulled out the chair beside his, and I sat, never looking away from my betrothed. His expression was blank, as if he were bored, except—there!—faintly, the muscle in his jaw pulsed. Was he that upset about having to see me? Was he jealous about me sitting beside his brother? Had he expected me to hide in my rooms for days until he was ready to fetch me?

The questions swirled around in my head even as I smiled at the king and said, “Good morning, Your Majesty. I apologize for being late.”

The king waved a hand. “No need for that, Lieke. After what you endured on your journey, it’s understandable if it’s harder to face the world some mornings.”

I nodded appreciatively, trying to avoid Connor’s scrutiny. A server I didn’t recognize set our meals before us, and Brennan eagerly dug in, heaping eggs and potatoes onto his fork. “So, brother,” he said, lifting the loaded utensil toward Connor, “you’re alive!”

Sneaking a glance at Connor from under my lashes, I noted how his eyes flicked to me before returning to Brennan. “I am,” he said dryly, then returned to eating his breakfast.

“Well, we missed you,” Brennan said. He elbowed me in the arm and flashed me a mischievous smile. “Didn’t we, Lieke?”

Heat returned to my cheeks, and I tucked my bottom lip between my teeth. Keeping my eyes on my food, I nodded, asking Connor, “Where have you been anyway?”

Connor pierced a potato. “Around.”

When our eyes met again, I could have sworn there was an angry sadness swirling in them, but why would he be mad at me? What was his problem? At least before I’d known where I stood with him. I was a thorn in his side, a problem to be overcome. Now? Now I didn’t know what I was. Stars above. I wanted to throw my fork down and demand that he tell me, but this wasn’t the place or time. But would he ever agree to speak to me again? Would I ever have the chance to ask him?

The king’s fork clattered loudly onto his empty plate, drawing everyone’s attention, and he leaned his forearms onto the table as a server whisked away his dishes. He shot a pointed glare in Brennan’s direction. “Leave him alone, Brennan,” he said, sounding more like a father than I’d ever heard before. “Connor has simply been busy working to assess the rebels’ last attacks.”

He was lying.

I didn’t need to have Mrs. Bishop’s sixth sense to know he was covering for his son, but why? My head swirled with even more questions, but I had no hope of finding any answers.

“Apologies, brother,” Brennan said. “Hopefully you’ll have some free time soon, or I’m going to have to keep entertaining your fiancée while you’re otherwise occupied.”

Damn it all, I was blushing again, and I could sense Connor’s anger swelling even without looking at him.

“I’m free this afternoon actually,” Connor said, his tone bitter and hopeful at the same time. “If you’re available?”

I swallowed hard as dread settled heavily in my gut. I’d been hoping for a chance to talk to him, but now I wasn’t sure I wanted to hear what he had to say.

“Of course, Wolfie,” I said around a tight smile.

CHAPTER 69

Connor

My feet slipped on the dirt floor of the training ring, and I barely lifted my practice sword up in time to block Matthias’s strike.

“Sloppy, Your Highness,” he said, his voice serious and unyielding.

“I can’t do this,” I said, pushing him back and retreating a few paces. “And no, I’m not talking about the sparring.”

“Glad you clarified that, but either way, yes, you can. And you will.” He spun his sword around to attack from the opposite side. I parried easily but couldn’t strike back quickly enough before he was coming at me again. “Just talk to her.”

“I can’t even look at her,” I insisted, lunging at him and wincing when my sword clashed against his.

“Then keep your eyes closed,” he said flatly, catching me off guard just long enough to bring his weapon down hard on my forearm.

I groaned from both the pain of the hit and this blasted situation I found myself in. “I know I need to talk to her. It’s why I invited her here, but I don’t know how to even be in the same room with her.”

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