Page 67 of A Clash of Stars

I leaned down softly, kissing his lips for a moment before laying back down next to him. I turned over with my back against his chest, and that’s when I noticed all of the Aster guards were in their tents, but Evander sat directly in my eye line. He had been watching us. Me.

He noticed that I caught his stare. His emotions were unchanging. I narrowed my eyes at him and pushed my back closer to Madok. For a fleeting moment, I tasted jealousy on my tongue, but maybe it was just my imagination as I closed my eyes.

I felt the kicking on the back of my thighs and yelling before my eyes were even open. Once they did, I had to adjust them to the sunlight.

It was morning.

A guard was hoisting me up before I could respond to my surroundings. He threw me into the carriage alongside Madok as I watched King Alex, Evander, and Luke pile into the space with us.

“Did you sleep well, Clara?” King Alex asked me without sparing me a glance.

I laughed, tilting my head towards him with intrigue. I licked my lips, turning my attention to Evander before I responded, “My ass was well protected.”

That’s when all three men across from me turned their heads to me, and I wouldn’t let this moment go, either.

“You see, even though you bound me and tied up my magic, you still have no idea what I’m capable of,” I spoke loud and clear.

Just then, there was a yell outside the carriage alongside a startling halt of our movement.

“What is the cause of this?” the King yelled outside to the guards.

No one responded.

I looked at my lap and smiled because I knew what had happened. What I forgot to mention was during the night, Madok unbound me, giving me free rein with my hands. I took a deep breath and sighed before pulling my hands around my back to place them gently in my lap. The King took notice of the movement, returning his sight to me.

“That would be me.”

I waved my hand at him. The blood immediately drained out of his face leaving a worrisome and panicked expression. In my peripheral vision, Evander and Luke were on guard, and they were prepared to retaliate if they needed to.

“You see, King Alex, when you tie me up like a pig, it makes me angry. But don’t worry. I’m a good prisoner. I will allow you to take me to Aster under my rules. Do you understand?” I asked him softly with a smile.

The King was as red as blood. His eyes were darker than the night sky. He was furious.

Good, I thought.

“If you are wondering, I didn’t kill your guards. I just made them incapacitated for a little bit. Give it another minute, and they’ll wake up,” I chuckled softly.

The King stepped out of the carriage, looking for his guards, and that’s when Evander leaned over the carriage aisle, encompassing my throat in his right hand. Madok’s leg flinched towards me, and I patted his thigh, letting him know it’d be okay. Staring into Evander’s eyes was fascinating, his eyes a dark shade of green I hadn’t seen before.

“Have you lost your mind, Clara? He will kill you!” He seethed at me.

I laughed, then smiled at him as his hand tightened around my throat. I tilted my head towards him with my hands still on my sides. He knew I could do anything I wanted to, yet I chose not to.

“Good. I hope he does, Evander,” I said stoically.

He shook his head at me, obviously frustrated with me.

“Don’t fuck with this, Clara. You will ruin everything,” He growled at me.

I pressed into his hand, creating a small space between our faces as I whispered, “Everything is already ruined— Ev.”

He let go of my neck as I fell back into the seat, still feeling the itch of his fingers that were once pressed onto my skin.

The King walked back into the carriage, and I felt the carriage start moving.

“Well, I guess they’re conscious again,” I laughed.

The King turned his attention to Evander.

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