Page 12 of Stars May Fall

The world spun, fading in between endless darkness and blinding light. It was hard to focus on anything or form a coherent thought. But Kasten was there. He was my anchor as the world rocked like waves. I clung to his hand in the hope I would soon make more sense of what was happening.

Nausea hit my stomach in a grounding sensation. I flailed to sit up, and strong arms supported me as I retched into a chamber pot. Soft material wiped my lips and hands rubbed my back. I lay back down.

“Sophie, can you hear me?”

It was Kasten’s voice, gruff yet gentle and tender.

I tried to reply, but my mouth wouldn’t move properly.

Fingers stroked my hair back from my forehead. “We’re going to return home to Kasomere. You don’t have to worry about anything. Everything is fine. Your father is gone from Adenburg and can no longer hurt you. Lord Lyrason has been exposed. I’m not going to leave you. You’re safe.”

Despite my confusion, his words settled over me like a soft blanket. I lay still, holding his hand. I only reacted when waterwas placed at my lips, and then later, when broth was brought after I’d managed to keep the first down.

I must have drifted off, because the next thing I knew, I was being lifted into Kasten’s arms, a sharp pain blooming in my side as the movement made me clench my teeth. The room was clearer now and the world seemed more colorful. My cheek pressed against his chest, and I could feel a strange hum beneath his clothes. I tilted my head back to see my husband’s face. His chin was rough with stubble. It wasn’t like him to not shave. I reached up and grazed it with my knuckle. His shadowed eyes shot down to mine.

“Sophie.” His dark eyes skirted around my face; they appeared full of worry. Somehow all the harsh lines of his face had softened to tenderness. “I’m carrying you to the carriage now. Everything is fine.”

I managed a smile, and his lips tightened in response as if he were holding back tears.

Doors opened, and bright, garish sunlight smothered me for a moment before Kasten ducked over my body, shading my face as he climbed onto the step and settled me on top of a wide seat inside the carriage. The wood creaked as he sat beside me. He carefully moved me, cradling my upper body on his lap with his arm under my head. As the dizziness subsided and the world took on more and more focus, I relished how comforting it felt to be in Kasten’s arms. He’d never held me like this before, like he was my shield and my rock. For once, he wasn’t running off anywhere or hiding away. My body felt heavy and warm. I closed my eyes and clutched his hand.

Darkness. Giant starved dogs. A woman with a twisted face and sharp teeth.

I sat up, my heart racing. Pain lanced up my side with the motion, and dizziness made the nausea return. Beneath me, the carriage lurched and rolled. Kasten’s arms surrounded me, andhe moved with a stiff motion as if he had been keeping still for a long time. Had I been sleeping again? It had felt like no time had passed at all.

“Sophie? You’re all right. It’s all right. I’m here. You’re safe.” His arms supported my back and gently coaxed me back down. “Do you feel like you might be sick again? I brought the chamber pot in case.”

I let myself fall back into his lap, releasing the weight from my aching muscles. He cradled my head in the crook of his arm. His eyes looked down at me, still full of worry. This was…nice. I had never expected to see this side of Kasten. The tenderness in his gaze made my stomach dip.

He pushed the hair from my cheek and tucked it behind my ear. “You might not be able to remember things, or you might feel confused. We were told to expect possible side effects since your very essence was taken away and given back. But don’t worry. Once you’re ready, I will help you remember everything you need to.”

My heart rate slowed as my world narrowed to his face. I lifted my fingers to his chin again and wet my lips, determined to form words this time. “You haven’t shaved.”

He barked a laugh in disbelief. “I’m sorry if I don’t meet your expectations right now.”

I frowned, tilting my head to get a better look. “You’ve never not shaved for this long before. I quite like it.”

He half chuckled and half sobbed as he caught my fingers in his hand, kissing each of my fingertips in turn. “Sophie. You’re back.”

He rested his cheek against the back of my hand. His other arm was locked tightly around me as if he was frightened I would disappear. “Sophie…I…you…” He cleared his throat, and his voice lowered. “How do you feel?”

I rolled my shoulders and stretched as an experiment. “Tired. But not too painful. I…” Fogginess clouded my brain and stole the rest of my sentence. I lifted my hand to where a large scab pulled on the corner of my lower lip. When had that happened?

Kasten’s eyes were still drinking me in. “I’ve missed you. I’ve missed you so much. Don’t ever try to leave me again.”

I blinked rapidly, trying to clear my mind. “What happened? What’s wrong with me?”

“You were bitten by a halfsoul outside where your father had been keeping you prisoner. I sedated you and Lord Lyrason returned whatever was taken from you by haemalcomy. If you feel strange or not like before, you must tell me. I still don’t understand what they were doing or how they made you better. I’m hoping Callum can enlighten me when we reach Kasomere.”

I looked down at my body. It seemed thinner than before—certainly weaker—and I had never been strong or had much body fat to spare. “So I didn’t turn into a monster?”

Kasten grimaced. “You turned into a halfsoul, but you were sedated the entire time. You didn’t hurt anyone.” He leaned forward and brushed the hair from my forehead. “What matters is you’re back now.”

I nodded, slowly, waiting for everything to click back into place. Kasten let my hand fall back to my chest. “Meena?”

“She’s outside, guarding the carriage. Sir Tristan and the other guards who were with us are dead.” Kasten hesitated. “There was one other casualty. Irabel, your half sister, died of her illness. A messenger came to Highfair yesterday to inform us. I’m sorry.”

I blinked up at him in shock. Pretty little Irabel who had been so innocent and excitable. We had never been close or spent much time together, but she was still my sister.

---