Page 50 of Stars May Fall

She met my eyes with a solemn stare, her large blue eyes seeming to only grow wider. “No, they can’t release them here en masse. Hence why they only released one or two at a time while they perfected them. Those were just small experiments.”

My heart started to thump with dread. “Then where?”

Sophie hunched over her cup as if being crushed by the weight of her thoughts. “Where exactly? Kasomere to destroyKasten? Kollenstar? Anyone they deem their enemies? The king has been ruthless in the past at destroying those he wants out of his way.”

I looked down, things starting to make more sense. “So this is why you wanted the cure. To pre-empt this.”

Sophie nodded, her face still drawn. “Exactly. Hopefully, we can stop it before they release such a large number. But…I just hope it’s enough.” She lifted her eyes to mine. “We need your help. Surely you can see we must stop this before it's too late. If each halfsoul infects dozens more, which in turn infects dozens more, thousands will die. And if your father and Lord Lyrason are planning to live forever, things will never change. They could choose whomever they wished to have immortality alongside them while unleashing plagues on their enemies and so suck the whole earth dry.”

I felt sick. I gripped my cup, and massaged my forehead, hating the position I was being put in. “Stirling is my brother. I won’t be responsible for his death or my mother’s. They have their moments, but I love them. They probably have no idea about any of this. They’re innocent.”

Sophie gave a sad nod and reached out to squeeze my hand again. That only made me feel worse. How was I meant to choose between the potential death of two of my family and the deaths of countless strangers?

We sat in silence for a while and finished our tea. Something else pressed on my mind, a fear that I had never admitted to myself, let alone said out loud. Yet it was there in my subconsciousness, gnawing away at me.

“Lyrason wanted to marry me,” I whispered.

Sophie nodded, clearly not a stranger to this information.

“But Father engaged me to Lord Venerick instead. I’m not entirely sure why. Lyrason was angry, but I don’t think he ever had feelings for me. I think he just wanted to be part of the royalfamily. That’s not the only time Father has upset him. Recently, the way he and my father talk, they don’t seem to be getting along so well.”

Sophie had become very still. After a pause, she asked, “What is it you fear?” Though I could tell from her posture she had thought of the same thing.

I blew out a long breath, preparing myself to say the words out loud. “I’m scared Lyrason will try to overthrow my father and take the throne for himself. Father has already given him permission to gather troops, and I suspect he doesn’t know the secrets of Lyrason’s and Gregane’s haemalcomy himself. He’s vulnerable. I’m worried about him.”

The enormity of the situation suddenly hit me like a punch to the gut. If this went wrong, Father could die. Mother could die. Stirling could die. Lyrason could seize the throne and create an eternal reign of terror.

There would be far more casualties than one sixteen year old boy.

What, by the kingdoms, was I doing, thinking I could stand up to all of that by myself? I needed to be honest with myself. Me, my crossbow, and my little information network of junior servants and street urchins were not going to be very helpful if fighting broke out. I needed access to troops that weren’t loyal to Lyrason…which meant I was going to have to trust others and risk being stabbed in the back.

The acknowledgement made me wince. I had trusted Father. I had even come close to trusting Lyrason. They’d both turned out to be very different people. Could I risk making myself more vulnerable with Sophie and Kasten?

But I wasn’t sure I had a choice. If Lyrason went for the crown, I’d need soldiers to stop him. I needed a way to protect those I cared about. And Kasten’s soldiers were the best.

I straightened as resolve poured into me. “I will help you and Kasten. I will help defend my family and my country. But in return, you must help me keep my brother and parents alive.”

Sophie nodded, her eyes still creased with empathy. “We will do everything we can. Thank you for helping us.”

It would be so easy to simply believe her. What she and Kasten were doing made sense. But why would they do everything they could to help me when we had just barely met? And Father and Kasten behaved like enemies to each other. Would Kasten really save him?

I reminded myself to be cautious, but we were up against so much, I had to finally admit I couldn’t deal with it on my own.

My heart rate picked up in acknowledgement of what I had just done. I dropped my head into my hands, struggling to stay hopeful. “If my suspicions are correct, then these halfsoul experiments have been going on for fourteen years. Lyrason has had so much time to prepare. I just hope we’re not too late.”

SOPHIE

Ijerked awake in the carriage only to realize that I’d fallen asleep with my head leaning against Meena’s shoulder. I quickly scanned her leather tunic and cotton cloak to see if I had drooled on her. “I’m sorry.”

She smiled down at me, her face shadowy in the low light of the kryalcomy lantern. “Don’t be, Lady Sophie. It’s good for you to get some rest while you can. You had a terrible fright at midday and then had to explain yourself to the king before being interrogated by Princess Annabelle. Your mind can’t have had the chance to process half of what’s happened.” She paused. “You’ve done an amazing job today. Rest. You’re safe here with me. There is no need to worry about appearances.”

I looked away, my cheeks heating. “Thank you, Meena.” I licked my lips as the fog of sleep cleared a little from my brain. “And I’m sorry for what happened at Lord Lyrason’s manor earlier. I know I don’t make it easy for you to guard me.”

Meena inclined her head to me. “Guarding and defending you will always be the greatest honor of my life.”

I smiled at her, not sure what she saw in me to warrant such a statement. “I’m very grateful to have you, Meena.”

The carriage wheels scraped over gravel as we came to a stop. The footman tapped on the roof. Meena opened the door and held out her hand for me. “We’re back in Highfair, my lady. Watch your step.”

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