“You?” I bite. “Youwant to keep Serena safe?”
“Is that so shocking? Sheismy mate.”
“This entire time you’ve been trying to bully her into compliance!” I shout, unable to stop myself. “You were so desperate for her power that you kidnapped her and tried to force her into marriage. She nearly died trying to escape you. Her kingdom—ourkingdom—is up in flames because of you.”
I point out the window to the hills his troops set on fire. They’re still blazing, devouring the green fields and pastures, plaguing the nearby villages.
“Don’t delude yourself into thinking you did all this in the name of love.”
“It may not have started that way—” Kylian looks serious for once, all mockery emptied from his face. “But that is what it’s come down to. Something is coming for her. That is why I have fought so hard for this union, fought to keep her at my side. Because at the end of the day, when she is found, you won’t be the one to keep her safe.” He takes a prowling step my way, then stops, rearing his head in Jace’s direction. “And neither will you.Iwill be the one to keep her safe. Because Ican.”
Zadyn, please.
I glance at Serena, exhaustion weighing down her words, even in my mind.
You believe him?
She nods, her shoulders sagging, like standing—breathing—is full of painful labor. “We have a problem, guys.”
“What’s wrong?” I close the gap between us, taking hold of her arms. Her face houses every emotion, yet still betrays nothing.
“Allow me to explain,” Kylian interjects.
“We’re allowing you to live. I think that’s generous enough,” Jace snaps.
“Listen to what he has to say. Please,” Serena begs.
“You made a grave error when you joined those stars. They were meant to remain separate,” Kylian begins, sinking onto Serena’s mattress. “Nice bed.”
“Stick to the subject,” I warn.
“That star was originally part of a constellation of seven?—”
“The Aurea Dei.”
“Very good, love. But did you know they aren’t just any ordinary stars? Each one represents the gods. Their power, their essence, their entire being is tied to them. It is their lifeblood. The first star in the constellation burnt out when Zed was killed. Went out in a blaze of glory. But the second one that went dark did just that. There one minute, gone the next. That one is presumed to have belonged to Ienar.”
Serena’s shoulders tense.
“My ancestor, Garron Triori, was the most talented starsmith to ever live. So when Queen Arden sought him out, he was able to do what she asked of him. Harness a star.”
“Oh my god,” Serena breathes. “Arden and Garron stole Ienar’s star from the constellation.”
“Without it, he was weakened, reduced to nothing more than mere fae. Ienar and his Seven scoured the earth in search of it. Arden and Garron tried to destroy the star, but failed each time. So instead, they broke it in two to keep it hidden. One half was given to Arden to protect, and the other was Garron’s.”
“Get to the point,” Jace threatens.
“The point is that those stars have been passed down my line with the knowledge that to join them would cause catastrophe. Until the day of our wedding, they had been locked in my family’s vaults, never to see the light of day. Only those with Triori blood are permitted inside. When I was young, my father took me down there. He made me swear a blood oath never to join the two halves, never to speak of their existence.”
“Yet here you are singing like a fucking canary,” I point out.
“Serena is family,” he says in earnest. “Besides, you three let the cat out of the bag all on your own. I’m free to speak of it as much as I desire now.”
“So the stars don’t make up a key?” Serena asks, all hope sinking from her voice. Kylian shakes his head. “Then what have I done?”
“I don’t know for certain, but I know it isn’t cause for celebration. There’s something else.” Kylian pauses. “My mirrors have been very helpful in guiding me, but the one thing they cannot see are the gods. It’s like a complete blockage where they are concerned. I saw true destruction in those mirrors, fashioned aroundher. Someone is coming for her, and I cannot see who. Which basically tells me all I need to know.”
“I don’t see how that relates to the stars,” Jace deadpans.
