Page 70 of Stars May Fall

He nodded. “Let’s get up the stairs before somebody realizes the guard is missing. Then you’ll have to go up three floors. The hallways are chaos. If I were you, I would go through the window and climb up the trellis.”

I didn’t let his words sink in. Refused to feel the fear of his suggestion. What needed to be done, needed to be done.

The man lifted Jess and carried her to the bottom of the stairs on quiet feet. He looked up the spiral ahead before beckoning to me. “Take off your jacket and have my hat. In just a shirt, it will be harder for people to place you. They may think you're a servant if they only catch a glimpse.”

I did as he asked, placing the man’s cap over my head so it shadowed my eyes. There was no way to cover Jess’s blood on the white silk of my shirt. “Thank you.”

“Follow me. Keep your head down.”

We climbed the staircase and paused at the top as he checked the doorway. When he beckoned, I followed and hurried straight behind one of the bookcases.

He pointed to a window and gave me a meaningful nod. Then he turned and hurried toward the door behind the librarian’s desk, Jess nestled in his arms.

I didn’t dare peer around the bookcase to locate the guards. Instead, I walked as fast and quietly as I could to the outer wall, grateful for the protection of row after row of books.

I found the latticed window and turned the latch, opening it slowly to minimize the sound of grating iron. The afternoon sun shone straight in my eyes as the breeze rustled nearby papers. Iwas on the ground floor, and Annabelle was likely three stories up. Three whole stories to climb. Why had I let myself become so unfit?

The trellis was covered in a bright red vine. It barely looked strong enough to hold my weight; this could mean my death.

Behind me there was a rough shout and the sound of thudding boots. I pushed my cap down further and climbed out the window, balancing on the narrow windowsill.

An unwelcome breeze tugged at my clothes and rough stone brushed my knuckles. I was only a few yards from the ground, and already, I was terrified. But Annabelle’s life was in danger. I had to help her no matter what.

Gritting my teeth, I reached for the trellis.

SOPHIE

“Annabelle! Stop, it’s me! Sophie and Meena. Be quiet. By the kingdoms, please be quiet!”

I clamped my hand over Annabelle’s mouth as she continued to struggle and brought my face close to hers so she could see me in the gloom. Outside the door, the floorboards thudded as a group of unseen people thundered past.

She stilled, and Meena released her arms, raising one hand to pinch her nose to staunch the bleeding where Annabelle had headbutted her, and using the other to rub her side where Annabelle had elbowed her with impressive force.

Annabelle pulled away from her and winced at the damage she had caused. “Sorry.” She dislodged a broom and a mop, and I caught them before they could clatter to the floor.

Meena raised a hand as if to say it was fine, but the movement made her wince again, destroying the effect.

In the half-light it was hard to see each other well, but Annabelle managed to grab my hand. “What are you doing in a closet? Kasten’s trying to stop Father from taking Lyrason’s haemalcomy, but I don’t think he’ll succeed. He won’t kill him, will he? Kasten won’t kill him, only Lyrason?”

The sound of boots thundering past made her pause, and she remained silent until they passed. Meena stuffed a handkerchief under her nose and resumed her prone position on the floor, watching the corridor through the crack between the door and the carpet.

I squeezed Annabelle’s hand. “Kasten has always said he doesn’t want to kill his father. He wouldn’t unless he had no other choice. But I don’t think he’ll let him rule using haemalcomy either.”

Annabelle nodded with ragged breathing as if trying to convince herself everything was going to be all right. I really needed her to focus.

I stepped closer to her so I could see her eyes easier in the gloom. “Annabelle, if your father can’t be king anymore, and if Stirling becomes sicker when he is no longer supplied via haemalcomy, that means you will be the best choice for the throne.”

Her eyes narrowed. “I won’t be yours and Kasten’s puppet. You understand that, don’t you?”

I nodded with a small smile. “I think Kasten wants as little to do with politics as possible. He just wants to follow a monarch who serves his or her people. And preferably one who isn’t constantly trying to get him killed in battle.”

Annabelle drew in a long, deep breath, and I stepped back to give her space.

On the other side of the door, feet trampled past and a voice yelled, “Find General Kasten, the traitor! General Kasten has killed the king and his family. Kill General Kasten and his followers!”

My heart fled to my mouth. Kasten would never kill the entire royal family. He had even hoped he could spare the king. It had to be Lord Lyrason.

My eyes fled to Annabelle’s. Her hands were pressed to her mouth in shock.

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