Page 5 of A Clash of Stars

The dress was a soft hue of blush with material that sashayed around the curves of my hips and lay softly off my shoulders as if the material was a waterfall over my figure.

Between each inch of light pink were speckles of roped gold that tied the dress together at my lower back, exposing my shoulder blades and family marking in the middle of my back. My light brown hair flowed wild and wavy across my shoulders and down to the marking. The pieces around my face were pinned back to bring order to the forest of locks.

“You look lovely. Your mother will be so proud to see the young lady you have become.” The sweet voice startled me.

I almost forgot she was coming for our opening ceremony this week.

I gave her a small smile. “Thank you, Sophia. I will be on my way now. Thank you for forcing me to get dressed. You deserve all the stars for putting up with me.”

Sophia beamed with pride as if she knew how lost and disheveled I would be without her prodding into my everyday life.

I walked hesitantly to my fate, the dining room full of cocky and irritating men. I just hoped my outside appearance didn’t match what I felt inside.Panic.

It didn’t make sense to me how we hadn’t had any issues over the past year of training until now. I tried to rack my brain around what caused me to be removed from the remainder of the royal training to be taught alone. I should have questioned it, but I decided not to make a big deal as we were close to the Variance date. All I wanted was to focus on the goal and not let the petty drama of privileged princes try to get in my way.

Striding through the corridor, I approached the large oak doors that were triple my height. I hesitated just a moment before touching the brass doorknob toenter. My calloused but delicate hand rested on the knob as a slight tremor passed through my body.

I can do this. Just a few more weeks and you can go home.

“Hello, Clara Bear.”

My body immediately froze with an icy chill creeping up my spine, and my hand slowly pulled away from the door as I involuntarily clenched it into a fist by my side. I could sense the deceitful yet seductive mouth of the one and only Evander.

Chapter 2

You have got to be kidding me.

“You wounded me as you walked past me without saying ‘good morning.’ It’s almost like you were ignoring me,” he softly spoke with a slight chuckle that vibrated through the air to me.

Walking toward me, his stride was strong and his physique was immaculate. Easily the most gorgeous being to walk these halls. It ticked me off how he could wake up in the morning and look that good. But once he opened his mouth to speak, every good thought of him flew out the window.

I put on the cheeriest face and voice I could and prepared to deliver lines that would outdo even the most skilled thespian.

“Evander, what a lovely morning we’re having. So sorry that I didn’t notice you.” I pouted my lip at him and crooned, “You poor baby, are the ladies not giving you enough attention?”

I knew that was a lie right after the words left my lips. His frustratingly handsome face was one that you wouldn’t forget, and I honestly didn’t want the answer to the question I just threw at him. Even more reason I wanted to knock his ego down by a few notches.

A cunning smirk crept upon his lips as he took bold strides toward me. He stopped only a few inches from my face and I could smell the fierce scent of teakwood radiating off him. It was almost distracting.

Who am I kidding? This is totally distracting.

“Ev, leave Clara alone. We already must be at thisridiculousbreakfast, and we don’t need you making it worse.”

The tinge of cinnamon hit my senses before realizing who had said those words, Luke. He strode in like a knight ready for battle. He never stepped down from a fight, especially with Evander. They bickered like two old geezers, which was highly entertaining.

Evander’s eyes darkened as he turned in the direction of the voice.

“Luke, I think it’s best for you to stay out of my business, but if you must know…I conversed pleasantly with our sweet Clara Bear about where she will sit at the table this morning. You’ll be happy to hear she wants to sit with me. Or was itonme?”

Evander’s dark eyes were on me again, and I couldn’t help but wonder what that would even be like.

Then I stopped myself. He was so crude and was constantly a bully to everyone.

When we were kids, he would repeatedly irritate me. Pulling on my hair, destroying my artwork, and convincing me to drink too much sparkling wine…and it didn’t stop there.

When we first arrived at Sefida, he tried to befriend me, or so I thought. Then, like the snap of a finger, he became a complete and utter asshole. He tortured me every day, week, and finally, he pushed his limit when he cut my leg during a practice dual.

We were trained not to strike, but he did. What worried me more was the look in his eye. A slight look of fear overtook him once he realized he had hurt me. He didn’t speak one word, just dropped his sword and stormed into Sefida Castle.

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