Page 61 of Burning Star

My nightgown is torn and soaked with blood. My hands are slick with it.

But I don’t regret it. Not for a second.

Henry tried to force himself on me, and I stopped him—permanently. Just like Aerix told me to do. I made it hurt. I made him bleed. I made himpayfor it. I gave him what he deserved.

But his final words echo in my mind, tugging at loose threads I didn’t know were there. Because Katerina lied about her brother. Isla was raised in the Night Court.

How the hell does it all piece together? What does Aurora have to do with it? How did Henry know about all of this in the first place?

I have no idea. The only thing I know is that I need to clean up this mess. I need to think.

And most of all, I need Aerix.

ZOEY

As much asI’d love to, I can’t simply march into Aerix’s quarters. The humans are trapped in our wing, unable to leave unless we’re escorted by a night fae.

Unless...

Aerix told me to spend time with Aurora and Isla.

Now, Henry’s dying words echo in my mind.

Isla was raised here. She’s not like us.

I look down at Henry’s body one more time. I should feel something—remorse, horror, or guilt.Something.

All I feel is a cold certainty that I did what needed to be done.

So, I grip the dagger tightly, wiping it clean on a section of my nightgown that isn’t already soaked in blood. The fabric tears slightly under my trembling hand, but I force myself to keep going. I have no time to waste.

Finally, as satisfied as I can be given my situation, I step over Henry’s body and make my way to the door.

The human wing is arranged with suites lining the top floor—each suite designated to a royal, their humans given private rooms inside them. Since it’s daytime, everyone is asleep. The Night Court doesn’t even bother putting guards in the human wing while the court is asleep, thanks to the magical wards keeping us in here, and the fact that even if we figured out how to get past them, we’re so easily overpowered by the night fae that we wouldn’t make it far.

Plus, I’ve heard they like knowing we’re free to do what we wish in here while they sleep. It’s entertainment to them—a test to see what we’ll do in the dark, when our basic instincts take hold. A sick sort of reality show for them to sit back and watch.

Given the attention I’ve been getting from Aerix, I was already dripping with main character energy. Now, with Henry dead…

I’m going to positivelyreekof it.

Unless I can cover it up.

So, when I reach the king’s suite, I don’t pause. I knock.

No one answers.

I knock harder. And harder. Anxiety spikes through me with each slam of my fist against the wood, and my hand is definitely going to bruise.

Come on,I think, praying to whatever god is in the Night Court that they’ll hear me.Wake up. Please.

Finally, someone answers.

Aurora. Her hair is wild from sleep, but even so, she’s as beautiful as ever.

Her eyes widen at the sight of me—disheveled, blood-splattered, and breathing hard.

“What happened?” She opens the door fully, letting me inside. “Is that your blood? Are you hurt?”

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