Page 24 of A Clash of Stars

Evander turned his body to face mine, and a smirk ticked up in the top right corner of his mouth as he whispered, “I’m not the one that should be worried.”

To my utter shock, I responded, “Is that a threat?”

His eyes still glowing green and piercing into mine as he moved closer. “Princess, it isn’t a threat. It’s a promise. Not everyone is who you think they are.”

I rolled my eyes at him because everything from this man’s mouth was questionable. When I stared up into his frustratingly handsome face, I noticed a few sparks of lavender circulating through his irises. I quickly turned away because an overwhelming feeling of anxiousness spread through me.

I felt a sharp pain in the back of my neck, stopping me in the middle of the room. I thought I heard something when I felt the pain, but that couldn’t be. I continued to walk back to the others when the sharp stabbing pierced me again. This time, it was undeniable that it was a voice.

Don’t trust anyone.

I stopped moving, turning my body. I knew deep down who was staring at me, Evander. I started to walk towards him to question him on how he could communicate with me and why someone would kill me, but I was interrupted. Master Edward burst into the doors with none other than Madok.

“The ceremonial opening has begun. Gather your things, and let’s begin.”

I gathered my wits about me and put on my best smile as they began the introductions, one at a time. Griffin, Luke, Madok… then me. Evander was to follow.

When the doors closed behind Madok, I felt the breath of Evander behind me. A whisper made its way to my ears, “It’s not too late to change your mind. Do you think you’re the best fit for the land? You could always be my Queen instead.”

Why does everyone assume I can’t rule? I am a great leader. What an ignorant prick, thinking in a million years I’d want to be HIS queen.

“I won’t change my mind, Evander, but speaking of minds. How can you read mine?” I questioned him with a smile.

A surprised look spreads across his face then I am snapped out of my thoughts when the doors open, and I make my grand entrance.

To my immediate right and left, my parents approached me to escort me to the dining room table. My mother’s beautiful, stunning smile could win over anyone who met her. Her eyes are of the bluest shade, and my father… I could tell why my mom loved him so much. His features matched the radiating kindness that was shown from the inside. They weretrueleaders. Loved and respected not only by our Kingdom but by many others.

My mother leaned into my right shoulder, “I am so happy to see you, darling. You are stunning. Whatever happens during the Variance, whatever the outcome, I will always be proud of you. You will be an amazing ruler, whether exclusively for our Kingdom orall.”

I couldn’t help but smile back at my mother and wish I had the faith she had in me. She always had this unshakeable faith in me. Whether or not she was blindly optimistic or just being a supportive mother was still debatable.

We were placed at the table as Evander entered, accompanied by his mother and father, the King and Queen of Aster and the Land of Carondelet.

When he strode in, he, too, wore all white. I hadn’t noticed the tattoo that encompassed his left hand and wrist before. I wondered what his power marking looked like. I also wondered why mine looked the way it did.

My power marking signified that I had completed my transformation and fully developed my powers, my essence. It swirled around my hand with shimmering white transparency, with a star woven in my hand that only I could see on a regular day.

Other royals had different locations, colors, and shapes of their markings, but we tended to keep them private.

Once the Aster royals approached their designated spots, the King and Queen of Carondelet and Aster remained standing to raise a toast.

The King, Alex, and his beautiful wife, Amari, glanced around the table with gracious smiles as the King began his toast. It was odd because Evander looked nothing like the King and everything like his mother. Bronze with the most stunning green eyes that could encapsulate you the longer you stared.

“Congratulations to our children for making it to this substantial milestone. When the Kingdoms were initially divided, the original six thought it best to keep a balance of power within the land. They bestowed great power to one royal Kingdom to keep order over the land. With great power, the responsibility of the Kingdoms was to ensure that power was handled honorably. We gather here tonight because the Kingdom of Aster is being challenged during the new generations’ leadership training.”

I could see some eyes drifting towards my parents and me, with scouring looks on their faces that this challenge did indeed come from our Kingdom.

“We aren’t upset and think this is a great opportunity to unite our Kingdoms to solidify our great land. Cheers to our sons and daughter, and cheers to Carondelet.”

Great speech. Where is the food? I am starving. I hope to make room in this dress. Oh no, can you see my stomach crease through this dress? For goodness sake.

When I glanced up, I noticed I was seated directly across from Evander. He was purposefully avoiding my eye contact, and it was bothering me.

Why is it bothering me? It shouldn’t matter.

As the food was served, we laughed, drank our bubbly, and I felt an overwhelming urge to be quiet. My mother took notice and leaned in.

“My sweet Clara, are you feeling all right?”

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