Page 63 of Stars May Fall

I sat back and tried to make my face neutral again as if we were talking about the plants in the orangery or the weather. “Who else knows about this?”

Venerick huffed a half-laugh, slowly shaking his head. “You know, I’ve never told anyone before. But I figured you wouldn’t be the one to get my head chopped off by telling either of your parents.”

I saw the light in his warm brown eyes, excitement at finding somebody else to share his musings with. Suddenly, I didn’t feel so alone in this. Sophie and Kasten had been friendly and supportive, but they didn’t live in the palace. They had their own world with different motivations and priorities. Venerick, well, he was in the same world as me. And when he was engaged and passionate, his entire face changed. He was full of so much life and warmth and didn’t seem dreary or boring like his reputation at all.

I kept my expression and voice casual. “I want to stop Lyrason before he harms anyone else.”

Venerick licked his lips then helped himself to a cream cake and matched my casual tone. “That would be very dangerous work, my dear.”

Would Lyrason harm me? He might not kill me, but I had the feeling he could do far worse.

The last of my restraint shattered. I stared at the flowers painted on the teapot. “I’m really scared, Venerick. I used to think I could handle anything that the world threw at me. But I can’t handle this.”

His hand coming to rest on mine was strangely comforting, and my life instantly felt less fragile. His words were slow and careful. I liked the calm softness of his voice. “Maybe this is something I could help you with? We’re meant to be getting to know each other in the run up to the wedding after all.”

I couldn’t help the small laugh that emerged. I didn’t think this was entirely what Father had in mind when he’d said that.

Venerick lifted an eyebrow. “Lyrason has sent a message to the king asking for an audience this afternoon. The king canceled all his plans for it, so it must be important.”

My breath caught in my throat, and I stood up at once. Sophie and Kasten would be in the palace at that time too. We could respond immediately to whatever their next move was.

Venerick remained seated, looking up at me with an appraising gaze. “I believe I am finally learning who my bride-to-be is.” The way he said the words was surprisingly tender and somehow grateful. “I’m glad we can learn to work together.”

My rush of excitement suddenly turned shy. Kingdoms, shyness was not something I felt often. I half smiled. “Likewise, Venerick. I would like to hear your speculations and theories more often.” I gave him a small curtsy before hurrying off to get my listening device and change into something I could easily sit on the floor in.

SOPHIE

Amaid stopped me as I walked down the corridor to Annabelle’s room. She bobbed a curtsy and said the princess had asked for me to go and listen to her recital.

I understood what she meant at once. Trying to be as subtle as I could with three pretend servants and two guards, I hurried to the room next to the king’s office. I asked Meena and the guards to wait in an empty room nearby so they wouldn’t give us away and entered the gloomy room Annabelle used for eavesdropping without turning on the lights.

Annabelle was hiding in the same position Kasten said he’d found her in the other day, kneeling between two seats so she wasn’t visible from the door. Her eyes were wide as I approached and she kept her voice hushed, reaching out to me. “Lord Lyrason said he’s finished making the elixir of life!”

I blinked, struggling to understand the news. I squeezed between the two chairs and sat on the floor beside her until we were sandwiched together in ruffles of silk. I wished I had chosen a darker, less obvious color than cream to wear today. But her pale green and yellow dress was hardly inconspicuous either.

I leaned in so our faces were inches apart. “He’s finished it? As in he’s perfected taking vitality from halfsouls?”

She held up one finger while she continued to listen. “He says he has an elixir that contains metal which is one pole of kryalcomy. If they inject it into their blood…” She paused to listen again. “They will continue receiving life from Lyrason’s creatures forever. Lyrason says he’s discovered immortality. He’s recommending Father give it to Mother. And says it will be more effective…than the disk Stirling is currently wearing and that Mother…will no longer need to have repeated treatments. He…currently has prisoners being…harvested. But it is ready to be…released into the world and will self-perpetuate.”

I stared at Annabelle in shock. We hadn’t realized Lord Lyrason’s experiments had advanced this far. This was so fast. It was all happening so fast.

Annabelle’s face went pale as she listened. “Father wants to try it on himself first. Then he’s going to summon Mother.” She frowned as she looked up at me. “But Father isn’t even sick. Maybe he’s worried it's harmful?”

“Or maybe he wants to be the first to be immortal,” I whispered.

Annabelle stood suddenly. “I should stop him. I have to stop him. He can’t do this to me. To his people.”

I caught her sleeve. “Stop. You barging in there and simply telling him not to take it isn’t going to stop him, it will only reveal our hand. He’s been part of this for years, Annabelle. He haswantedthis for years.”

She grabbed the top of my arms. “What should we do then? We can’t just do nothing!”

I bit my lip, and she froze again, listening. Her grip tightened on my arms as her fingernails dug in. “This was what they were waiting for before challenging Kasten. They were waiting to have access to all this life and strength so they’ll be harder to kill. Theywant his weapon, Sophie. Lord Lyrason says soldiers are in place to arrest him. They’re everywhere throughout the palace.”

I only hesitated a moment longer. “Interrupt the king and stall. Don’t say you know what’s going on. Pretend you’ve been stung by a bee or something?”

Her agitated expression turned incredulous. “A bee? Inside the palace?”

“Or something. Stall them.”

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