Page 72 of This Shattered Star

The same thing I always do.

This mockery of Courage was proof of it. There were no spectators, for stars’ sake. He just wanted everyone here to suffer before sending their souls to the Hearth of Song.

Everyone here…

A wave of realization crashed into me with the force of a thousand winds. One that had me feeling like a complete fool for not thinking of it sooner.

Kodhan’s vow suddenly meant so much more.

The signs were all there. Had been there since the start. The pieces were beginning to slide into place.

I almost wished they’d disappear. The picture they were painting wasnotone I wanted to face.

I went deathly still, as though looking down at the tip of a hunter’s arrow. But instead of a sharp point, I was met withthree people who had continuously saved me when I had done nothing to earn their protection.

Brannon noticed immediately, meeting my steely gaze with his own. He didn’t seem to like what lay in my expression. “What is it?” He took a shadow of a step closer to Theia. Thinking I wouldn’t notice. Oh, but I did.

He might as well have punched me square in the stomach.

“Tell me something.” Kodhan’s breath fanned the side of my neck. I fought hard against the urge to squirm. “You never exactly told us why he brought you into his study. Surely, it wasn’t only to heal your leg.” His knee knocked against mine in emphasis.

Damn him.Damn him for catching onto things so quickly. For reading into my thoughts like he was the one with mind-magic instead of Theia. Or perhaps shehadread my thoughts.

Stars above.

I abruptly shoved out of his arms and stood, crossing to the opposite side of the room in an instant. Clenched my stuttering heart with a mighty fist, leaving nothing but smoke and shadow in its wake.

“You’re traitors.”

Silence. The final piece slid into place. Sealed the truth.

“Clever, aren’t you, little viper?” Kodhan’s eyes held nothing as he pushed off the ground. Not even a flicker of surprise.

“You’re the reason why this year’s trials are twisted. A sick form of punishment for the lot of you.”

A slow nod was his only response.

The others didn’t oppose him. They watched me with the same expressionless eyes.

For once in my miserable existence, I was devastated to be right.

Wetness coated my lashes, bringing with it an incurable sting behind my eyelids.Thatwas why Maverick placed his bets onme winning. The real competition, the people chock full of magic and power, were never bound to win in the first place.

A fissure in my chest cracked wide open, gaping and ready to devour me whole.“What have you done?”I rasped. Though to who, exactly, the question was meant for, I wasn’t entirely sure.

“Eloise… we can explain,” Theia offered, but Kodhan held up a hand.

“Let her work it out.” His gaze was piercing now. That desperation was back.

Rebels were known to be conniving, and merciless. They wrought so much chaos across Aedreath in name alone. Stole innocent lives out of spite. But the three people before me were nothing of the sort. Even Kodhan, brazen and heartless as he could be, especially in his father’s name, didn’t carry the shadow of a rebel. I’d seen many of them—seen them at play or begging for forgiveness at Maverick’s feet. The three people who’d been doting on me moments before couldn’t possibly be traitors to the crown.

“We haven’t acted out against the king. At least, not in the way that you think.” Theia took a careful step towards me. Slow, like I was some caged, rabid animal she needed to be weary of.

“Theia,” Brannon warned. I must have looked as wounded as I felt, because he winced. “This isn’t about trust, Eloise.”

I hated how easy it was to rebuild the armor around the places they’d managed to worm their way through. “Why not? I certainly haven’t done anything to deserve it.”

“It’s not like that.”