Page 38 of Broken Star

His lips curve into something sharp. “Your concern is touching.”

“I try my best.”

We spend the next few minutes analyzing the contents of the trunk, which also holds a waterproof pack for us to put everything in, and some food.

All of it vegetarian.

At the sight of it, the hunger for blood slams into me again. A deep, gnawing ache curling beneath my ribs.

“You need to hunt,” Riven says, and I hate that he notices.

I hate how he’s always so in tune with me, no matter how unreadable he is. And I hate that part of me—some deep, instinctual part—wants him tobein tune with me.

“Someone needs to protect all this stuff,” he continues, as if unaware of my internal battle, even though the wind’s picking up around us. “You stay close to it. I’ll see if there are any rabbits or squirrels in the backyard of our haunted resort.”

I have no idea why, but it’s enough to make me snap.

“You aresonot offering me room service of rabbits and squirrels,” I say, and with one final glare, I turn and stalk toward the woods.

“Stay close, Princess,” he calls afterward. “I want to be able to hear you if you scream.”

“Don’t worry,” I toss back over my shoulder, flashing him a sharp smile. “If I scream, it won’t be for you.”

With that, I storm toward the woods with the wind blowing behind me.

And while it’s cold and cutting, it’s not nearly as cold as the look I know Riven’s giving me as I disappear into the trees.

Zoey

I wake with a start,and for one disorienting moment, I can’t remember where I am. Only that I’m not at home. Not surrounded by the normal world I once knew.

I’m quickly reminded of reality when I catch sight of the painting Aerix altered for me. His generous “improvement.”

I slip out of bed, cross the room, and kneel in front of the canvas. Then, slowly, I trace my finger over where he signed his name, his handwriting unsurprisingly elegant.

Prince Aerix Nightborne.

I focus on his title, remembering what he told me about Kallista. How he wasn’t always a prince—just a regular soldier in the Winter Court.

It’s a welcome reminder that in this world, anyone can move up.

When I arrive in the dining hall for breakfast, I’m greeted by the usual scene: humans sitting at our assigned round tables. Some seats are empty—the ones who are having breakfast with the royals—Victoria included.

She’s with Aerix.

The thought shouldn’t make my chest pang with longing, yet, itdoes.

But I need to focus. I need to figure out who my allies are around here. And I can’t do that if the only thing I’m thinking about is Aerix.

So, I sit and observe the others.

Katerina refuses to glance in my direction.

Henry notices me watching Katerina and lifts his eyebrows in smug amusement, like he knows a secret about me. But as much as I want to glare at him to make him stop looking at me, I force a casual nod. I willnotgive him more reaction than necessary.

Sophia’s kind, but guarded, as she’s always been lately.

Then, halfway through breakfast, Matt walks in.

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