A Kingdom of Stars and Shadows

I didn’t answer her because I could hardly breathe, let alone speak.

“No one, my dear. You and your mother have been protected because we offered you that protection. Your father couldn’t see that, and he wouldn’t have been able to provide you with the life that we so graciously did. You should remember that.”

My hands trembled in my lap, and I could feel tears burning in my eyes as she spoke of my father. But I wouldn’t dare allow them to fall in front of her.

I barely knew him, too young to even remember the look of his face, but he had fought for me when no one else had. He showed me more love in that one act than anyone else ever had.

“Have some wine.” Gavril lifted the decanter and poured the red liquid into the glass that laid before me.

I looked at him for the first time since I had arrived at the table, and I hated how his mother’s words had felt like nothing to him.

“Please.” His whispered word had me searching his face, and his gaze softened as he stared down at me.

Evren’s hand slipped away from my leg in that moment, and even though I felt desperate to look back at him, I didn’t. I wrapped my hand around the glass and slowly brought it to my lips. I welcomed the bitter liquid, drinking more than I should have, as the king began speaking to his advisors.

I wasn’t listening to a word he said. I was too busy trying to calm the rage that was consuming me.

Food was laid on the table by the servants as the king laughed at something that was said, and Gavril spooned something onto the plate in front of me.

The queen answered the king, and my gaze flew back to her at the sound of her voice, but Gavril blocked my view. He leaned forward, his fingers touching my braid, and he whispered, “Eat,” low enough for only me to hear.

The tenderness in his voice caught me off guard and made me even angrier. He had acted just like his mother at lunch yesterday, but tonight? The look he was giving me felt like he was taking pity on me for things she had said.

I didn’t need his sympathy. It made me feel weak, and I refused to show any fragility to them.

I lifted my fork and took a bite of food as he had directed me to. The warm potatoes tasted divine, so I quickly dove into the meat that Gavril had just served.

“Son, when do you head back to the border?” The king drew my attention to him.

“In a week’s time.” Evren said it so calmly, and I couldn’t stop myself from looking at him. “I will be back in plenty of time for the ceremony, though.”

“Good.” The king clapped his son on the back before taking a large pull from his wineglass. “We need to make sure the border is secure to ensure our future.”

Evren nodded his head in understanding before he glanced over at me. His gaze was cold and harsh, but somehow it still made me feel like I was burning inside. “Nothing will stop the joining of Gavril and the Starblessed.”

He said the words like a promise, but they sounded bitter on his tongue. I had no idea what Evren wanted from me, but that want felt like it was in contention with the way he had looked at me and spoken to me before.

“You are correct about that, Evren.” The queen barely looked at him. “And we have much to plan before the nuptials take place and Gavril is blessed with the powers he has been carrying all along.”

Part of me wondered if that was true. Would my blood simply be awakening a power inside Gavril, or would he be taking from me something I didn’t truly wish to give?

“The people of Citlali will gather from afar to watch the crowned prince marry the Starblessed, and they will bow before his power.”

I heard her words, and I knew that they should have been what I was focused on. But all I could think about was the fact that Evren was going to be leaving.

This man was the son of my enemies and the brother of my betrothed, but I knew I didn’t want to be in this palace without him. It was a thought that was both foolish and reckless.

“You may be the Starblessed, Adara, but there are many things you must be taught before you can become the princess of Citlali. Things I have no doubt your Starless upbringing will leave lacking.”

I set my fork down against my plate as my stomach rolled. This woman hated me. She had wanted me here so badly, but she hated me just the same. And her venom was lethal.

“May I be excused?” I looked away from her and directly up at the king. If the queen wasn’t going to show me even an ounce of respect, then neither was I.

The king faltered and looked to the queen before glancing back at me. “Of course.” He nodded once, and I quickly stood before anyone could reach for my seat to help me out of it. I didn’t need their help. I didn’t want it.

I didn’t offer any of them any sort of pleasantries as I walked away from the table and pushed out of the doors that were still guarded heavily.

I wanted to escape their judgment and superiority. I felt like I was drowning in it. I pushed through the hall, one foot after another, as I tried to calm my racing heart.