Page 72 of Stars May Fall

She nodded. “Good. I don’t know which of the soldiers here are loyal to me and which are loyal to Lyrason but I’m hoping it will quickly become obvious.” She looked up and down the corridor as if considering. “I need my crossbow and my cloak. Then we’ll track down Lyrason and make it quite clear thatheis the one committing treason. He isLordLyrason no longer. I hereby remove his title and order his arrest.”

ANNABELLE

One crossbow didn’t feel like enough, so I took two, slinging them across one another on my back and keeping the bolts sheathed in quivers on one side of my hips, my rapier hanging from the other.

Father. Mother. Stirling.

I tried not to think about them too much, but let the rage build within me. I would kill Lyrason, and I would prevent this from ever happening again. I had never planned to be queen, but I would strive to be the ruler this country needed with my every breath.

I strapped on my leather riding boots, slipped a knife in place and got rid of the earrings and bracelet that could get caught in a fight. Finally, I tied my plain, dark cloak around my neck and lifted the hood so I wouldn’t be easily identified at a distance. I knew Lyrason was after me in particular. I was next in line to the throne after all. I would be both his biggest threat and his biggest asset if I came under his control.

I was preparing to leave my room when I heard hurried voices outside followed by a timid knock. They couldn’t be a threat or Kasten wouldn’t have let them through. Still, I kept a hand on my sword as I flung open the door.

Venerick stood there, panting and jacketless. His face was pale, a blood stain bloomed on one sleeve of his cream shirt, and his dagger was drawn in the other. Surprisingly, he wore the sort of cap common folk wore. “Annabelle.” His shoulders sagged in relief as he saw me, his whole face going slack. Then a second later his eyes widened at the assortment of weapons across my body. “By the kingdoms, you’re an entire armory.”

I decided to take that as a compliment.

Venerick seemed to think so too as his shocked expression became appreciative. “You look magnificent.”

The words warmed me more than they should have. I liked this man. “Why are you wearing that cap?”

He pulled it from his head and his cheeks flushed. “A servant gave it to me so I would be less obvious in the hallways. He was a kind chap. He said the servants were gathering in the kitchens where it was safe.”

I rolled my lip between my teeth. I’d bet that had been Noah. And the servants were exactly who I needed right now.

Kasten was leaning against the hallway wall with his arms folded, watching our exchange. He actually looked bored. How could anyone be bored in a palace full of armed men shouting that you had killed the king? He took in my weapons with an unsurprised expression and raised an eyebrow. “Really, Annabelle? How many arms do you think you have? They’ll slow you down and get in your way if you actually have to fight. It’s not practical.”

I stayed focused on Venerick, though I didn’t miss Sophie elbowing her husband and giving him a meaningful look. Kasten was all about practicality and efficiency. He wouldn’t understand that I needed to wear these to feel strong. To feel impenetrable. An armor that even the death of my family couldn’t break through.

A tremor entered my breath. No, I wouldn't think about them. Not now. I had to stay in control.

I snapped all my attention back to Venerick. I knew how big a favor I was about to ask my betrothed. “Venerick, Duke James will use the city guard to take the city for the traitor, Lyrason. Could you go with Kasten’s soldiers and help them stop him? The city guard will listen to you.”

Venerick became very still, his rich brown eyes focused on mine. I was asking him to betray his friend. I was asking him to put his life at risk. He wasn’t a soldier or a tactician. He spent most of his time in offices, meetings, and courtrooms. I held my breath, uncertain what he was going to say. Then he bowed. “Your Highness. I can get soldiers into his mansion. But I may need help getting out of the palace first. I fear I’m also a target.”

I nodded. “I know somebody who can smuggle you out. They’ve helped me many times.”

He lurched as we turned. “They have? Smuggled you out of the palace?”

I nodded, starting to move down the corridor. “I’ll explain later. Thank you, Venerick. I am so grateful for this. If you can secure the city, I can secure the palace.”

He swallowed then clenched his fists. “Just don’t marry that man. No matter what Lyrason promises or threatens you, don’t marry him.”

I smiled despite myself. “I won’t.”

I picked up our pace, the others close behind, Kasten becoming my looming shadow. Kingdoms, I was glad he was on my side. His scowl alone was terrifying.

Venerick fiddled with his blood-stained cuff as if nervous. I assumed the blood wasn’t his since he showed no other sign of injury. I couldn’t quite picture him in a fight. He turned back to me, and I realized he had been building up the courage to speak. “Annabelle, I know our relationship has been unconventionaland was arranged by your father, but…if we make it out of this alive, would you give me a chance? A proper chance to get to know you properly? Weapons included? I would like that very much.”

Despite my sorrow and my fear. Despite my life coming crashing down around me, my heart stuttered for a beat. He was so sweet.

I stared at him. I had never expected to feel anything toward Venerick except friendship and an appreciation for his kindness. But, right now, I wished everything else would stop so I could find out what Venerick had been through to get to my side and thank him for everything he was doing for me. I was so grateful to have at least one ally from the palace. I wanted to appreciate him fully.

But now was really, really not the time. I nodded once and quickened my pace.

I led our pitifully small group down the stairs while strange sounds echoed down the corridors. I might have built an information network over the last five years, but I had never imagined I would need personal loyalties within the guards. I had always assumed the royal guard would obey me without question. But it appeared Lyrason had infiltrated it. This must have taken him years.

If Father had betrothed me to him as expected, would all this have been prevented? Or would Lyrason have still killed them all as soon as we were married. Probably. I suspected his goal had always been to become king. That snake.

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