Page 19 of All the Chaos of Constellations
Disappointment sank its claws into Novalise’s spine.
Again, Lord Asher Firebane had walked away from her.
Disheartened and dejected once more, Novalise trudged back up the sloping mountainside. Her family’s home was built into the side of the Moonfall Peaks, as close as one could get to the heavens. Open air corridors lined with ivory pillars met in pointed arches where constellations were etched into frosted glass windows. Crystal stars floated along the ceiling in every hall, illuminating the blue goldstone floors like the night sky. Outside, the house was like twilight watercolors, bleeding in shades from the deepest purple to turquoise. Curving spires pierced the low-lying clouds and winding staircases led to sweeping balconies that overlooked the gardens and all of Celestine—the city of stars.
The sight of it always managed to leave her a little breathless.
Except this time, she was struggling to breathe because her feet were bare and aching, she was drenched in liquid stardust, and every step Lord Firebane took caused her heart to yank in agony.
Overhead, the silhouette of carriages being pulled by Eponians passed through the clouds and dull moonlight. The winged horses were majestic against the catastrophic sky of falling stars. At least everyone was finally leaving, no doubt heading to Queen Elowyn’s palace for the lifting of the Veil. Perhaps they would have forgotten all about her botched star reading once the opening of the Season was underway. Then maybe if she was lucky, she could avoid the snide remarks and pitying glances.
All she needed now was for Lord Firebane to take to Emberspire so she wouldn’t have to face him again. He was hardly one to relish in the frivolities of court, much less the Season. His sister, however, seemed far more interested in participating in all the seasonal activities. Even if he wasn’t already on his way back home, the lifting of the Veil was an immense celebration. It would be crowded with fae from all over Aeramere, not to mention all the visitors from neighboring kingdoms and realms. She supposed there was as good a chance as any, that even if Lady Cyra did force him to attend, Novalise wouldn’t even see him.
It wasn’t nearly as intimate of a gathering as her reading.
A tiny sigh of relief escaped her.
The threshold to her house was empty save for the two guards positioned on either side of the vaulted door, and though she was keenly aware of their gazes tracking her every movement, she knew they wouldn’t alert anyone to her presence. If she was careful, she could avoid running into any of her family members at all.
Novalise slipped through the towering door as silently as possible, only to find herself in the brightly lit entry hall where it seemed as though a spotlight had been cast upon her. Twin spiral staircases leading to the second level split the entrance in half and standing in the center, on the inlaid crest of House Celestine, was Ariesian, Solarius, and her mother.
Gathering up the shredded remnants of her courage, Novalise padded toward them. There were no alcoves in this room, nowhere to hide away and wait for them to leave.
She put on a brave face, trying not to wince when they caught sight of her.
Her mother saw her first. “Fates divine! My darling girl, are you alright?”
“Novalise.” Ariesian took one look at her torn gown, at her disheveled appearance, and pure rage erupted in his eyes. His magic, a raw and powerful expanse of shadows and stars, permeated the air. The entire house seemed to shudder beneath the force of his might.
“What happened?” he demanded. “Who did this to you?”
“No one did anything to me.” She attempted to smooth her hair, spraying droplets of iridescent silver everywhere. It was confounding how males were so concerned withwhohurt her instead of caring abouthowshe was feeling. “I lost my balance and fell into one of the fountains in the garden.”
Disbelief hardened the lines of his stern brow. “I see.”
“Nova, it’s good to see you’ve got some of your color back.” Solarius stepped out from behind their oldest brother, a crooked smile on his face. “You were looking at little unwell before the reading.”
She wouldn’t tell them the real reason her cheeks were flushed. In fact, she wouldn’t think of Lord Firebane again. Absently, she rubbed the spot on her chest where he’d traced Estrela’s crown. The binding between them twisted, a painful reminder of his dismissal, and she bit her bottom lip to keep from crying.
“Do not worry, my sweet child.” Trysta bustled forward, mistaking the pain of heartbreak for humiliation. The bangles on her wrists jingled along with the swishing of her skirts. “I’m sure the stars will sort themselves out eventually. Until then, you will continue to carry on, as you’ve always done.”
Ariesian studied Novalise, his face a mask of his true emotions, but it was Solarius who offered her his arm. “Are you well enough to attend the lifting of the Veil? If not, I will gladly escort you back to your rooms.”
“Of course she’ll go.” Trysta waved one hand through the air, easily dismissing the notion. “She’ll have to clean up, and she’ll need a new dress, but Novalise wouldn’t dare miss such an important opportunity.”
“Opportunity?” Novalise echoed as another tremor of anxiety itched its way across her skin.
“We can’t allow the misfortune of your star reading to set us back.” Ariesian adjusted the cuffs on his shirt, then straightened his coat. He was impeccable, the epitome of nobility. “You are the eldest daughter of the Starstorm fae and of age. Queen Elowyn and Mother have already set a date for your impending wedding. Therefore, it stands to reason you will still be required to marry by the end of the Season.”
In other words, she was expected to pretend as though her entire world wasn’t tossed upside down. To act like all she was promised hadn’t been ripped away from her. She would do it, of course. She would go through the motions, continue to smile and be obliging, because she always did exactly as she was told. She abided by the rules, never stepped out of line. Just like the eight-pointed star beneath her bare feet, she knew her direction, understood her purpose. She would wed by the end of the Season, but with no guidance from the celestial skies, Ariesian and her mother would choose her mate for her.
Unless Novalise found one on her own.
Defy the stars.
Lord Firebane’s words echoed in the far recesses of her mind.
She trembled, shaking the warmth of his voice from her thoughts.
