Page 57 of Stars May Fall

She finished her hot chocolate, and I’d barely touched my own. I took a sip and savored the rich taste. The morning was cold, and I still hadn’t warmed up from the carriage ride here.

Annabelle pursed her lip. “If the palace is full of halfsouls, I suspect we won’t have a chance to use a cure. When Kasten and I hunted halfsouls, it was hard enough just to inject them with a sedative. Most of the time, you have to kill them before they kill you.”

I shivered and clutched the faint scar on my arm where I had been bitten, remembering their twisted features and sharp teeth. “I…I’m immune to them. It’s what Mister Gregane was testing. The Originals ignored me. It might have to be me who uses the cure.”

Annabelle looked skeptical. “Perhaps. There would be a lot of them, though.”

I rubbed my arm, knowing how small and weak I must look and how unbelievable it would be for me to take action against those creatures. I remembered the ones in the corridor and how I had cowered and sunk to the floor, even when they’d ignored me.

The princess didn’t seem to notice my reaction and suddenly held up one finger. “A moment, I’ve got something for you.” She stood and came back with a glazed flowerpot full of damp soil.

I took it in surprise. “Thank you.” I looked up askance.

Annabelle flopped back into her cushions and adjusted her bodice in a rather unladylike manner. “It’s got a starleaf bulbin it, a variety meant to be exclusive to royals. I know you like unusual plants and thought since you’re married to my brother, that makes us sisters, and so a royal too. I can’t imagine anyone would really object to you having one.”

I gaped at her, not just because of the enormously rare and treasured plant but for her willingness to call me her sister. It was a completely unexpected gift.

Annabelle shifted as if I were making her uncomfortable. “It’s just a bulb. It might not even grow.”

“Thank you.” I managed. I overcame my surprise and beamed. “I will treasure it. I never in my wildest dreams thought I would ever own one of these. Did you know Kasten first saw me in the gardens at Trembok Castle? I snuck out during the king’s speech because I’d heard there were starleaves there. I searched but never found any of those plants. Kasten was watching from a tower.”

It was strange to think that Kasten had existed and noticed me when I was still married to Frederick. I placed the flowerpot carefully on the table beside me in reverence and picked up my mug to finish the chocolate.

Annabelle smiled, a warm genuine smile. “You should definitely have this then. You will appreciate it far more than any other royal.”

I suddenly sat up remembering something I’d intended to do straight away. I found the velvet pouch in my bag and handed it to the princess. “Kasten asked me to return the earpiece and thank you for letting him borrow it.”

She sighed as she took it, though there was a slight twitch to the corners of her lips. “Well at least he’s returnedonething that he borrowed.” I could tell she wasn’t genuinely annoyed.

I licked my lips, reluctant to turn the conversation back to less pleasant topics when Annabelle had just made a moving gesture of friendship.

Annabelle noticed my hesitation and tilted her head to one side. “Speak whatever is on your mind, Sophie. Please.”

I drew in a deep breath. “We’re concerned about the relationship between Lord Lyrason and Duke James. If there’s a coup, Lord Lyrason could use the city guard to take control of the city. We need a way to stop Duke James quickly in that situation.”

Annabelle frowned, an idea clearly forming in her mind, but she looked uncertain. “Let me think about that.” Her trepidation grew. “Has Kasten found out anything about Regan Jones?”

I half nodded and half shrugged. “Callum has friends in the city. Yesterday, they found out exactly where he was when he went missing and have talked to his friends and family. He has well and truly disappeared. The only lead was that he was watching Lord Lyrason’s house. If Lord Lyrason took him, we’ll probably never find him—unless he’s released as a halfsoul, that is.” I reached out to touch her knee, softening my features as I noted dismay on Annabelle’s face, quickly hidden. “It doesn’t sound good, Annabelle. But if Lord Lyrason has taken him, that’s not your fault.”

She looked away, her lips tightening, and immediately changed the subject by checking the clock. “I’ve told a servant to let us know when Lyrason arrives so we can eavesdrop on any conversations he has with the king. Venerick will be here in thirty minutes. I think it would be good for you both to meet and talk. He’s still half terrified of Kasten. But…I want him to start making up his mind for himself about the two of you, instead of basing his opinion on what he must be constantly hearing from Duke James, and it will be interesting to see how he behaves. Of course, he has no idea of what is really going on. Give him nothing. I truly don’t know where his allegiances lie. I’m hoping to slowly find out. After you leave, tell Kasten that if he can sneak soldiers into my guard, he has my permission,but it won’t be easy. I’ll talk to Sir Finch. He’s in charge of my protection and security. If you can send me some female guards, I will say to Sir Finch that I wish to have more guardswomen since I feel more comfortable around them and that these have come recommended. I know Kasomere is close to the Tyrazastan border so you have a few of their famous female warriors settled there, like your own. Guards like that would be appreciated, but they can’t seem to come from Kasten or he will go straight to the king, and I will be in enormous trouble.”

I nodded. “We can arrange that, I’m sure.”

She stretched and looked across the room at the window before seeming to deflate. “I just feel that none of this is going to end well.”

I reached out to take her hand. She must have been so lonely contemplating all of this. “I know what you mean. Whatever is about to happen is going to be scary.”

Annabelle nodded, almost to herself. “There has to be some way to prevent things from becoming violent. I should talk to Father again and try to turn him against Lyrason. Warn him of my fears. If he can find another way to keep Stirling safe…I mean surely they’ve harvested enough vitality for him by now? Can’t they just use that and stop making halfsouls? He shouldn’t need to keep working with that man.”

I nodded in enthusiasm. “If he stops Lyrason himself, everything will be much easier.”

Annabelle clenched her fists. “If only he weren’t so proud and stubborn.” She sighed and suddenly looked down and picked at her nails. “I’m sorry. You must think I’m selfish. My father has tried to kill your husband so many times. And the experiments under his orders almost killed you. He has clearly done unspeakable things. Yet here I am fixated on ways to save him and brushing everything he’s done under the carpet. I knowhe has wronged you. Deeply. I just…” She sighed in frustration. “I’m sorry. Forgive me.”

I stood up, crossed the small space between us, and sat beside her, still cradling my hot chocolate. “It’s all a mess, isn’t it? It’s good to want to protect your family, but in truth, I think the public deserves to know what he has done. He should admit to it and abdicate. That would be the easy, smooth solution. As far as we know, Stirling is ignorant of all of this. But he might not be healthy enough to take the crown once the halfsouls stop.”

Annabelle stared at the fire. “Then that would leave me as next in line to clear up the mess. I always assumed Father would live to an old age and then Stirling would take over in decades time. I never…. But there’s no use wishing, is there.”

I took her hand again with my free one. “Kasten and I will support you. We’ll make sure you have everything you need.”

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