“None for the rest of us?” Gabe asked, his lips pressed into an amused smirk.
Bastian offered him a dismissive look before flashing me a smile. “No problem, Darling. I know it may be a long day.” In my peripheral vision, I thought I saw Steele shaking his head—but whether it was in amusement or frustration, I couldn’t tell. And with coffee in hand, I wasn’t sure that I really cared.
Before anyone could comment further, a sudden knock on the main door pulled all of our attention. Ronan opened the doorto reveal a guard standing there, shifting on his feet nervously at all of us staring back at him. His eyes searched the room before his gaze finally landed on Niz.
“Your Highness—I have been assigned to take you and your comrades to the king and queen.”
Instantly, I felt determination slam into me—realizing that it was time. This was our only chance to convince them, I could feel it. At the same time, however, that same feeling of determination was mixed with anxiety. A general nervousness that I could feel in the others, the unusual silence between our group, and tension in their frames giving it away. I could hardly blame them—a lot rode on this moment.
“Of course,” Niz nodded before sighing. “Better to get it over with.”
We followed the man, with Niz and Ronan standing on either side of me, lending me support that I hadn’t really realized I needed going into this meeting. My attention was drawn partially by the hustle and bustle of the castle, the morning energy taking me off guard as I gulped my coffee for fortitude. You would think the lack of sunlight would mess with everyone’s schedule…Then again, I guess I had no idea what time itactuallywas.
“I may regret asking this,” I exhaled, considering the complicated answer it could draw, “but is it morning?”
“Yes, actually,” Niz offered with a small, reassuring smile. “You fell asleep before you could see it, but our torches are dimmed each night to allow people to keep a healthy sleep schedule that aligns with the rest of Alfemir.”
Well, that was simpler than I assumed.
“That’s really cool,” I said softly. I had a feeling there was a lot about this place that was unique—I just hoped I had a chance to explore it before we were unceremoniously kicked out on our asses.
Although, as we reached the throne room and caught sight of the icy look his mother cast our way, my hopes dimmed. I still found it surprising when the guards who stood outside the throne room stopped at the door as we entered the space, once again leaving us alone with their leaders.
My gaze ran over both of his parents, trying to gauge what they thought or felt. The task proved nearly impossible because their mannerisms were so incredibly different from one another—truly opposites in some ways.
Conan seemed relaxed, lounging in his throne similarly to yesterday. His head rested on his hand that was propped up by his elbow as he stared at Nora with a level of adoration that didn’t seem to fit the situation. Her face was tight with tension and her quiet words to him, ones we couldn’t hear, only seemed softened by the hand she rested gently on his arm. Despite the peek of intimacy, I still had a feeling that she made the bulk of the decisions between the two of them and that he would go with whatever direction she chose.
Which was something that probably didn’t bode well for us. I was hoping she would see our perspective, and Ireallyhad to hope she wouldn’t treat Niz as badly as she did yesterday. Otherwise, I was liable to say something I might later regret.
“Finally,” Nora said, her eyes narrowing on all of us before landing on Niz. “We have been waiting for you and your…comradesfor over twenty minutes.”
“Considering you never gave us a time to meet you, you should be impressed we were able to get ready so quickly,” Niz pointed out. “Honestly, I’m surprised you called for us at all.”
“Of course we did,” Conan sat up straight as Nora stepped to the side slightly, leaving him the room to stand if he wanted. “Just because we disagree with how you handled this doesn’t mean we aren’t willing to hear you out—especially after your letter last night.”
I had wondered why he didn’t just talk to them in person, but maybe a letter was better so that it didn’t escalate into an argument mid-conversation.
“We appreciate that,” I said, looking directly at his mother.
“Well, here we are,” she murmured with a sigh, lowering herself to her throne. “Although I’m not sure what exactly we need to discuss. We understand how Niz got involved in all this, but nothing he has said has explained why you think we would ever help you.”
“I explained that the prophecy exists, but not in depth,” Niz directed toward me.
“Right,” I said slowly, nibbling on my lip as I studied his parents—both of whom wore carefully guarded expressions. I glanced at Niz, and after a nod of encouragement, I continued, “I was raised in Alfemir—my father is one of the Archangels, part of the militia there.”
I knew admitting this part of my truth was the right move in the long run so it didn’t seem like I was hiding my past. However, the disgust drawn on his mother’s face didn’t make the confession an easy one to make. My stomach clenched uncomfortably as I carefully considered my next words.
Glancing at the floor with a heavy sigh, I quietly admitted, “I didn’t realize it at the time because she kept it really well hidden, but my father abused my mother—horribly. Every time I disappointed him in any way—which was often since I was repeatedly forced to take the affinity placement test despite never being placed—she bore the brunt of my mistakes. Eventually, though, that threat was turned toward me, and after the most recently failed test, I realized I had to make an escape.”
“Which is when Niz and Ronan joined you to go down to the Rebellion camp,” Conan offered, not unkindly, and I glanced up at the king, nodding. I didn’t dare look at the men surroundingme, needing the strength to get through this and unsure if I could tap into it if I saw pity painted across their faces.
“At the time, it was simply a means to an end—wanting to escape the threat of my father and no longer be under his thumb. Instead, joining the Rebelling camp resulted in so much more. I not only found out that I have a dead affinity—as a Star Keeper—but that I was connected to a prophecy, as the only Keeper left.”
“Yes, Niz mentioned a prophecy about the stars, one thatapparentlymeans the end of everything,” his mother drawled out, leaning forward as her eyes searched my face. Her brows drew together heavily, eyes squinting at me in a way that did nothing to hide her skepticism. “Explain.”
I hated the demand in her voice, but I squashed down the part of me that wanted to rebel, continuing my story with the seriousness the situation demanded. “The stars are dying—quite literally. And I’m the only one who can save them.”
My voice tapered to a whisper before I strengthened it. Pulling my shoulders back into a straight line, I lifted my chin, staring the queen in the eye as I spoke. “But I can’t possibly save them when the leaders in Alfemir are hunting me and, in turn, the Rebellion. Andthatis why we are here, seeking your help—I need to be able to save the stars, but first I have to take down Alfemir.”
