How could he know?
Had Nyte been found?
I mentally shook my head, not doubting him for a second. Even if he had been discovered he would have made it back to me by now. I tried to reach through our bond, but it was like there was static interference. I couldn’t feel the void either, making a quick escape impossible.
“The traitorous star-maiden and her villainous Nightsdeath are among you now. So cowardly they need to hide themselves.”
The circus members looked at each other, completely confused and terrified.
“W-we are only performers, my lord,” one man said for the group.
A hand took mine, and I jerked in fright, snapping my head to find Silvia holding onto me tightly while her frightened gaze fixed on Vermont.
“I will offer this one chance for you to reveal yourself,” Vermont said coldly.
In the silence, my battering heart filled my ears as I contemplated if I should abide by his demand or call his bluff. I tried to feel for my magick; it was there, but a humming interference was causing me to slip my grip on the threads within me.
Guards moved at the flick of Vermont’s chin, and the man who’d spoken in our group was pulled out roughly and pushed to his knees. I squeezed Silvia’s hand, and we exchanged a look.
“I’m so sorry,” I whispered. Her brow furrowed deeper, then just as quickly it turned up and her hand slacked on mine.
The guard raised his sword above the man’s neck—
“Wait,” I called out.
The group turned their heads to me, and I pushed forward. Until I stood staring right at the overlord of Volanis. Vermont Lionel. The man who almost bought me.
He blinked a few times, his expression contorting with his mind slowly letting go of the illusion Nyte had placed in it, to see the true image of me. Silver hair, not red. Blue eyes, not green. Every silver marking adorning my skin on full display in this clothing.
When he seemed to finish painting my real image, he didn’t immediately speak. I studied him as he did me in those tense seconds. He leaned on the table like he needed the support, or I was sure he would have approached me. His skin was like paper, revealing more bone and veins than a person of his age should. He was sickly.
Then it all made sense.
Had he heard of the effects of my blood? I didn’t know what was wrong with him; if it was a fatal illness inside him, my blood would have only given him borrowed time, like it did for Cassia. But time was the most precious currency to mortals with so little of it. So much so he was willing to trade his entire island—buying me in the hope I would grant it to him.
“Astraea Lightborne,” he said, my name like a piece of discovered treasure. “The star-maiden, Daughter of Dusk and Dawn, fallen ruler of Solanis, and as I now hear,Lightsdeath.”
“As you can see, I am not fallen,” I said calmly. “I am and always will be the ruler of Solanis.”
“You’re a far cry from the obedient, shy maiden that was to be my son’s bride.”
Every nerve cell in my body recoiled at that piece of information he delivered like a hot brand. My attention slipped to Kairos. A muscle in his jaw twitched; not gloating or proud like his father, he almost seemed as uncomfortable over our near betrothal as I was.
“You were misinformed of a lot of things about me, I’m sure,” I muttered bitterly.
“I don’t think so.”
Vermont’s eyes left mine, and I didn’t have a second to react before the sickening sound of sliced flesh and blood splattering on the marble came from behind me. I whirled to find the man on his knees, clutching his gaping throat, choking on his blood before he fell.
“Why did you do that!” I roared, spinning back and feeling the vibrations of shallow magick at my fingertips.
“You did that, Maiden. You killed everyone here, selfishly using them to infiltrate my palace. They are all guilty of aiding and abetting known fugitives and smuggling enemies past my defenses. My ruling is death.”
“Then so is mine,” I said, and with those words the dark intent of death overcame me.
“Don’t—!” It was Vermont’s son who shot up from his seat, but his warning was too late.
As I thrust out a hand, light shot from my palm toward Vermont. Seeing his wicked, icy smile through the gale before it left me doused me with dread.
