Page 50 of This Shattered Star

“Two trials so close together is unheard of,” Brannon protested.

The bed behind him beckoned. I was ready to sleep for weeks. “They are his words, not mine.”

“He’s using the Starlight Trials as a punishment of some sort. Thatmustbe the reason for such grueling changes.” The certainty behind Kodhan’s words seemed to fuel him like a physical power source. “What I still can’t seem grasp is whyyou,”he emphasized with a lazy hand flung in my direction, “are the only one who seems to be exempt from his ire.”

All my loose edges were frayed. And all my patience was spent.

“I will take it upon myself to remind you very clearly, as it seems you have forgotten.” There was that firm resolve I’dbeen looking for. That steel. It coated my words naturally as I moved to block his path. He attempted to walk around me, but I jammed my palm into his chest so hard his next breath stuttered.

His head slowly tilted until his eyes met mine, processing what I’d just done. I didn’t allow myself the same courtesy.

“I am the only woman in this gods-damned kingdom to possess not even a lick of magic. I have been called a waste of space, an abomination—I have been the receptor of every insult under the stars. The gods saw fit that I be punished everyfuckingday, just for beingborn.” I slammed my palm into his chest again, as if the rage bubbling underneath my skin would somehow worm itself out from my fingertips and sink into him instead. I wished he would choke on it, just to know what it felt like, even for just one second.

A traitorous quiver threatened to overtake my voice. “Of course my closeness to the king isn’tfairto the rest of you. But my entire life has been ten times more unfair than anything you willeverexperience,Son of the Second.”

There were many chances I’d just hammered a nail into my own coffin. But I was exhausted. My hatred for him was the only thing keeping me on my feet. Regardless of what he’d done to save my life, and what I’d done to save his, he deserved a taste of it.

“Complaining won’t keep you alive. The hints I get from Maverick will. You can keep acting like a child, or be a man smart enough to use every tool in your arsenal. And right now, as thewoman without any magic,I am the best tool you could ever get your hands on.”

“She’s right,” Theia cut in, a knowing smile playing on her lips. “She did save your sorry ass, after all.”

“He’s just too far up there to admit it.” Brannon laughed. “Quite a spectacular save, too.”

Without waiting for Kodhan’s response, I snatched the folded pair of pants off the bed, ramming my shoulder into his arm for good measure, and crossed the short distance to the door.

My hand had only just brushed the handle when Theia said, “Wait. It’s not wise for you to be on your own.” My scrawled name across my own door was still a beacon to the other competitors.

“Thank you for your concern, but I’ll be just fine,” I replied without looking over my shoulder.

“You’re welcome to sleep in mine or Brannon’s room instead. Others will be less inclined to enter.”

Despite my anger and fatigue, and despite our circumstances, my heart swelled enough to hurt. It felt nice to be considered. For her to care. To bother offering at all.

It wouldn’t last.

“Alright.”

I left without another word.

And grit my teeth against the ghost of Kodhan’s hands, still wound soundly around my arms.

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

Maverick’s offer swirled in the back of my mind as I eyed the chair I’d wedged underneath the doorhandle.

I needed to play my cards right. No one could know that I’d been given an opportunity to leave the castle grounds.

Sleep was out of the question. Any attempts proved fitful at best, and by the third time my eyes had snapped open at the possible sound of voices, I worried I might have already passed my window of opportunity. Maverick said quarter past two, and I had no idea what time it was. But I knew where I might find out.

Rallying a deep breath, I unwedged the chair from its position and carefully set it to the side.Stars, help me.

I expected someone to charge at me from down the corridor. Or for a blast of magic to knock me off my feet.

What I wasn’t expecting was another person to fill the threshold right as I cleared it in my haste to leave.

There was barely enough time for me to freeze in my tracks before bumping noses with Theia.

“Sorry!” Theia whisper-shouted. Her hands lifted in placation. “I was about to knock.”