Page 4 of Stars May Fall

Did I really know enough about negotiation to stand between two of the most powerful men in Fenland and keep the peace?

The little voice reminded me that I didn’t know everything going on between these two.

I walked through the front door and descended halfway down the marble steps, keenly aware of all the soldiers under cover around me. Compared to them, I was very exposed to the oncoming threat.

I remembered the dark look in Kasten’s eyes. The rage and anguish. Pain enough to destroy a man. I swallowed. I doubted he had many limits right now if anything stood between him and Sophie. Yes, I was really starting to regret hiding my crossbow.

The drive stretched empty before me, the leaves of the lime trees creating a speckled pattern in the sunlight. More of Lyrason’s guards arrived, hiding behind the trees, waiting with swords and bows.

We didn’t need to wait for long.

Kasten’s figure appeared around the corner striding down the drive away. His back was straight and his walk was confident and purposeful, almost elegant in its relentlessness. His long black coat flapped sideways in the wind. He walked faster than I’d anticipated, his expression making a cold shiver run up my spine. In one hand his sword was drawn and held out. Some trick of the light was making its blade glint pale blue with a strange circular aura.

As he passed a pair of trees, four guards leapt out at him. He didn’t slow. He swiped his sword almost carelessly, and the four men were propelled back by a silent flash of light that burned my eyes. I gaped, transfixed as another group of guards waiting in ambush met the same fate. Thrown as easily as rag dolls, their bodies thudded into trees or were tossed down the road. The guards around me started to shift their feet, and a few edged back.

What in all the kingdoms did Kasten possess?

He plowed forward, his face completely expressionless. He was terrifying.

Around me, guards shot arrows. He knocked them effortlessly from the air with a flick of his sword. Two more guards were thrown through the air, the arc of silver light creating black blotches across my vision.

“Stop!” I shouted, my voice less steady than I had hoped. “Everyone, stop.”

Kasten’s eyes focused on me as he swaggered to the bottom of the steps. The guards around me all took a step back.

The general sneered. “So you’re working for him after all.” It was hard not to cower under the intensity of his gaze. His eyes were deep set, wide, and shadowed, consisting of all sharp lines. Cruel eyes.

I shook my head. “I am not. I’m just here to prevent civil war.”

He started up the steps until his face was level with mine, his feet on the step below. “Get out of my way, Annabelle. I will destroy anything that comes between me and saving Sophie. That doesn’t exclude you.”

True fear made my throat clench as I stared into eyes full of ice cold rage. I softened my voice to an empathetic tone, trying to deescalate the situation and leaning on my years of training. “Listen to me, Kasten. I’m here to help you. You need the cure for your wife. Let me speak between you and Lord Lyrason. He will listen to me and be more likely to comply. There is no need for any more lives to be lost.” I nodded my head toward Lyrason’s guards. “If you charge in here killing everyone, my father will react. The city guard will react. You could cause a civil war.”

He barked a humorless laugh. “Do you think I care if this turns to war? You think I care about our grand country right now?” He took another step toward me, so I was forced to step awkwardly up the next step. Kingdoms, he was tall.

I frowned and added more force to my words. “You should care, because if this escalates to fighting, the last thing Lord Lyrason is going to be doing is finding a cure. You need to persuade him if you have any chance of saving your wife. I can help make this work by keeping both of you focused.”

His posture relaxed slightly, but his eyes narrowed even further. “If Sophie dies, I will kill him, Annabelle. I don’t care how many others will die. I will kill him and anyone else involved.”

My breath shook. “I know. I know. But we’re here to save Sophie, right?”

He scowled. “You have five minutes to talk with him. But don’t try anything.”

I nodded, the motion quick and jerky. Kasten sheathed his sword before crossing his arms in the most intimidating posture I had ever seen. I turned and walked back into the house, willing myself not to look worriedly over my shoulder.

Lyrason was pacing back and forth. “What was that? None of my reports speak of him having a weapon like that.” I had never seen him lose his sense of calm before.

I lingered in the doorway, leaning against it for support. “You must be able to think up a cure.”

He kept pacing, throwing his arms up into the air. “This has nothing to do with me. Why would I have a cure?”

I stepped forward and grabbed his arm, hoping to emphasize my words by making him focus on me fully. “Either you have a cure or you’re dead. You, your household, and probably half our army.”

Lyrason stared at me for a moment and then swore loudly. “There may be a way. But I need some time. It’s not a cure, as such, but we could transfer back to her what has been taken.”

I tilted my chin up. Kasten had been right. It was Lyrason after all. His pretense had finally dropped. “Do it. Now.”

He scratched the back of his neck. “She might not survive long enough. We’ve not transferred the emotions back before. It might not work. Or there might be unexpected side effects.” He shook his head, his eyes darting back and forth as if a better solution would appear if he could only see it.

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