by H. L. Burke
Olyn settled onto the couch beside her. “Then whose fault is it?” His voice was calm, not accusing.
“If anyone’s it’s mine.” The memory of putting the pieces together and deciding Kay was the prince, of embracing him after their journey, of having the truth knock her to the ground ... it overwhelmed her with shame. How could she have been so foolish? She’d agreed to an arranged marriage, a loveless marriage. Why had she still hoped for love? “The journey here ... he was so wonderful, so kind, so brave, and when I saw that he could starcast, I made the mistake of thinking—he was you.”
Olyn blinked. “Me?”
“The prince I was supposed to marry.” The heat of humiliation rushed through her. “He didn’t say anything to lead me on, not intentionally, but I grew to hope, and by the time I found out the truth—” Her lower lip shook so she clamped her jaw shut.
Olyn’s expression softened. “You’re in love with my brother?”
Overwhelmed, she could only nod.
His hand rested on her shoulder, his thumb rubbing into her back. “And Kajik? Does he love you?”
“I think so,” she choked out. That wasn’t quite true. She knew so. If everything that had passed between them hadn’t been enough proof, the pain and longing radiating through their heartbond would’ve left no doubt. However, she didn’t want Olyn to be angry at Kay. “He fought it, though. I was awful, Olyn. I’m so sorry. When I found out he wasn’t you, that I couldn’t marry him and fulfil the terms of my agreement, I begged him to run away with me, and he refused. He wouldn’t betray you. I threw myself on him. I ...” She swallowed her pride and forced the confession out. “I kissed him.”
Olyn covered his mouth with his hand, scratching at his beard. “How’d he take that?”
“Not well.”
Well, it had been nice for all of a few seconds before he’d ripped himself away, glaring, those beautiful blue eyes glinting with fury.
“At least he didn’t tell you he’d have to get used to it.” Olyn gave a wry laugh.
She sighed. “You tried. I am so sorry I ... I didn’t mean for this to happen, and Kay, if he loses you because of me, it’ll break his heart. You can’t hold this against him. Please, Olyn. I can’t be the reason Kay loses you.” Anxiety squeezed her chest until she could barely breathe. Everything Kay feared was coming to pass because of her. She’d ruined everything.
“Shh, shh.” Olyn cupped her face in his hands, his kind blue eyes locked with hers. A smile quirked his lips. “You know ... I’ve kind of always wanted a sister.”
Relief broke Arynne’s resolve, and she threw her arms around his neck. Olyn returned the embrace. He patted her between the shoulders like a small child in need of comfort. Her pride smarted from the coddling, but she didn’t resist. Her pride had gotten her into enough scrapes. It wouldn’t help her now.
“Thank you,” she whispered.
Perhaps with Olyn on their side, they could get through this. Still, it didn’t solve the issue of the prophecy.
“What about the kingdom, though? If I’m not bonded to the Star Prince, won’t Athan return?” She pulled away to look him in the eye.
Olyn let out a long breath. “I’ve been thinking about that, and I’m not sure. Prophecies are hard to fathom in the best of circumstances, but this one ... I mean, the prophecy doesn’t specify me by name. Just the Star Prince.”
“But the Star Prince is you.” She frowned. “Kay can’t be the Star Prince because he’s the younger brother and not the heir.” A thought struck her. “Or can you just step aside? Give the title to him? Or can your father declare him the heir in place of you and that would count?” Not that Evyd would do that, but it was a hope.
Olyn’s gaze dropped to his lap. “No, unfortunately, the title of Star Prince is decided by the star spirits based on blood and magic. I can no more step down from it than I can stop being my father's son or older than Kay. Even if I refused to act as the heir, as far as the forces of magic in Frorheim are concerned, I would still be the heir. Unless, well—Kay's only the younger brother if there is an older brother.”
A chill crept through her. “You mean ... if you died, he’d be the Star Prince?”
“It’s never happened in the history of Frorheim, but in my understanding of the laws and magic of our land, yes. If something happens to me, Kay would take my place as Star Prince.” Olyn’s shoulders slumped. “I’ve never felt cut out to be the fated hero of this land. Maybe this is a sign that I was never meant to be, a warning for me to prepare because ... because I’m holding a place meant for another, in your heart, obviously, but in the line of ascension as well.”
“No!” She shook her head. “That is not what is going to happen.”
“But it’s the only way the prophecy makes sense if—”
“Prophecy be damned!” She gripped his arm. “I am not letting you be some sort of sacrifice for the good of the kingdom. You deserve better than that.”
He tilted his head. “And you’re going to somehow stand between me and fate? Even when you love my brother, not me?”
“The fact that I love your brother does not mean I can’t also feel affection for you—in fact, I think it means I feel it more.” She slid her hand down to grasp his wrist. “If I am your sister, that makes you my brother and Kay ... I’m not sure what to call him, but just because I love him differently than I love you doesn’t mean I can’t love you.”
He rested his hand on top of hers. “My brother chose very well when he chose you.”
She sniffed. “I’m not letting him take credit for that. I did all the choosing. He just went along with it.”
Another pang of heartbreak rippled through the heartbond but this time muffled by a haze of incoherence, and she groaned.
Olyn withdrew. “Is something wrong?”
“Kay.” She cringed. “He’s ... he’s in a bad state. I’m not sure why, but our connection is making me dizzy.”
Olyn moaned. “I think I know why. The idiot is probably at the tavern, attempting to drink himself stupid.”
“I need to go to him.” She lurched to her feet, still unsteady.
“No, I can go faster on my own.” Olyn stood. “Plus ...” He glanced around as if someone might be listening. “Look, Arynne, my father is in a dark frame of mind right now. Out for blood, specifically Kay’s but with your outspokenness ... it might be best for you to lie low until he’s had a chance to calm down, and there’s a chance he’ll be going after Kay for what he sees as treason.”
Her heart faltered. “All the more reason for me to go with you! I can help you protect him.”
He shook his head. “There’s no way to fight against my father. He’s the most powerful magic user in all of Frorheim. If he wanted to, he could have all three of us on our knees in a flash of light. Especially if Kay is drunk. However, as useless as fighting is, sometimes he’ll listen to me if I try to talk him down, but only me.”
Arynne shifted from foot to foot. Olyn was right. If she had to face Evyd right now, diplomacy would be the last thing on her mind. “Please, make sure he’s all right.”
Someone knocked on the door. “Princess Arynne?” Sigid called out. “Is it ... safe to come in? Everyone dressed?”
Arynne rolled her eyes. “She thinks we’re in here making love.”
Olyn chuckled. “Well, you’d better explain things to her. And yes, I will make sure Kay is all right. Stay strong, Arynne. For Kay.”
“For Kay,” she whispered.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Kay tapped his fingers aimlessly against the sides of his wooden tumbler. It was only a matter of time before his father figured out where he was hiding. The Starspire was too small a community for him to go unnoticed, and few Frorians would defy their king by sheltering his wretched son. He’d considered heading out into the wastes as soon as he traveled from the ceremonial chamber, but swiftly realized the futility of it.
He had nowhere to go. If his father wanted to track him dow
n, he’d do so easily. King Evyd would be salivating over finally having an excuse to execute Kay for his various failures. What had happened between Kay and Arynne had to be some sort of high treason. Kay’s idiocy had doomed the kingdom to probable destruction at the hands of a long-feared sorcerer. Worse, he’d betrayed Olyn, who had to hate him now. Sure, Olyn hadn’t seemed angry at Kay in the moment, but only because he hadn’t had a chance to realize what Kay had done. Now that the blizzard had calmed, Olyn must be furious.
Kay couldn’t live in a world where Olyn hated him.
So instead of fleeing for his life as any sane man would’ve done, he’d headed to his favorite table in his favorite corner of his favorite tavern—one of only two in the whole of the Starspire, but still his preferred of the two—and ordered his favorite wine. That accomplished, he leaned back, closed his eyes, and savored the feel of the connection to Arynne. The magic of their heartbond still simmered beneath his thoughts like a tune sung in the background at a party, ever present and lovely, but only demanding his attention when he wanted it to. It was simultaneously the most beautiful and the most heartbreaking thing he’d ever experienced.
He sipped his wine. The thick, sweet liquid coated his tongue and numbed his sore throat. What would it be like when Father finally came for him? Would Arynne be able to feel Kay’s death through the bond? Would it hurt her?
How had he allowed this to happen?
Even if it had doomed him, the way it had felt to have her love radiating through the heartbond had been worth it. She really did love him, the messed up, imperfect, idiotic whole. He’d never know why, but at least he was sure of it. It was something to cling to even if everything else fell apart.
The air beside Kay shimmered with magical energy, and his eyes snapped open. Olyn gazed down at him, eyes worried, mouth drawn. Kay’s heart leaped to his throat. He sprang to his feet ready to travel away, but Olyn grabbed his shoulder.
“Easy!” Olyn soothed. “Kay, are you all right?”
Kay gaped at him. “Am I ...?” His gaze shot to the door. “Is Father coming?”
“Not to my knowledge.” With a gentle push, Olyn settled Kay into his chair before taking the seat next to him. “I left him raging in order to make sure Arynne was all right, but checked in before I came here, just to verify he wasn’t planning anything rash. From what I can tell he’s locked himself away with Aunt Friya and Clindt, probably to try and figure out what happens next.”
Kay hung his head. “He’s going to kill me. It’s the only way this ends. He was about to right there in the ceremonial chamber.”
“He was throwing a tantrum, that’s all. Even the king can’t execute a man without cause.”
Incredulity filled Kay. “You don’t think I gave him cause?”
“No, because what happened wasn’t your fault. You aren’t a mender, so you couldn’t manipulate the heartbond ceremony, though from what I understand of Clindt’s rambling explanations, that wouldn’t be possible even if you were a mender. The star spirits choose who to bond. There’s no way you could’ve caused this.”
Kay’s shoulders slumped as relief flooded his chest. “Oh.”
They sat in silence. Confusion and grief swirled within Kay. His father couldn’t kill him. Though he wasn’t sure if that was something he should be happy about. Death would’ve been easier than living knowing he’d betrayed Olyn.
“You should hate me,” Kay whispered.
“I don’t.”
“But I ... Arynne ...” Kay sank his face into his hands. “You entrusted me with one task, to select your bride, and I bungled it. Worse, I broke your trust. I stole your bride.”
“Kay, I don’t love her.” Olyn leaned across the table. “Look at me.”
Kay forced his gaze up.
“When I said you did well in picking Arynne, I didn’t lie.” Olyn let out a sigh. “She’s strong, intelligent, and lovely to look at. She’s a wonderful girl, but if I’m being completely honest, there hasn’t been a moment since you brought her to the Starspire that I haven’t been terrified of our impending union and being tied to a stranger for the rest of my life.”
Kay shook his head. “But you would’ve learned to love her. How could you help it? She’s ...” His voice cracked. Perfect.
“Maybe I would’ve learned, eventually, but I haven’t yet, and Kay ... Kay, why didn’t you tell me you were in love with her?” Olyn peered at him, his blue eyes unnervingly sincere.
Kay shuddered. “I was hoping if I just stayed away, if I didn’t think about it, it’d go away.”
“How’d that work out for you?” Olyn snorted.
Kay scowled at him, not in the mood for humor. “It doesn’t matter, though. I can’t have her. This heartbond may have set Father’s plans back, but he’s never going to accept me as Arynne’s groom. I’m not the Star Prince. Me bonded to her means we are all doomed.”
“The star spirits didn’t seem to think so,” Olyn pointed out. “They refused to bond her to me in spite of Clindt’s best efforts.”
“Maybe Clindt’s just an idiot.” Kay grimaced.
“Somehow I doubt that.” Olyn smiled softly. “According to my understanding, if the heartbond between me and Arynne didn’t happen, it was because it wasn’t meant to be.”
“You don’t know that.” Kay shook his head.
“The fact that I got rejected as the groom and they chose you instead makes me pretty confident in the conclusion. I’m just glad we went through the heartbond ceremony first instead of the actual wedding. I can’t see that happening now.”
“My brother’s wedding. Just another item on the long list of things I’ve ruined.” Kajik reached for the bottle.
Before he could tip the liquor into his cup, Olyn’s hand shot out and snatched it away. Anger spiked in Kajik’s chest. He made a grab for the cup, but somehow Olyn had learned to move a lot faster than Kajik remembered him being capable of before. His brother easily dodged, holding the vessel behind him.
“Stop it,” Olyn said, his voice taking on his disapproving tone. “You’ve had enough.”
“I’m far too conscious to have had enough.” Kajik rolled his eyes and brought the bottle itself to his lips.
“Kay, put it down,” Olyn’s voice softened.
“No.” Kajik threw back a quick gulp then wiped his beard with the back of his hand. “I have very few things left in my life that make me happy. Drinking is one of them.”
“You know Arynne can feel you getting drunk through the heartbond.”
Kajik froze. Part of the reason he’d started drinking was the link, her grief simmering at the edges of his consciousness. Of course it went both ways. What must she think of him? He set the bottle down and pushed it aside.
“It’s how I found you so easily. When she told me focusing on your emotions made her dizzy, I had a good guess as to why.” Olyn sighed and leaned across the table. “You know it just gives Father arrows to fire at you when you hide in a bottle after your fights—”
“Even if he needed more reasons to be disappointed in me, which he doesn’t, this is far more serious than a ‘fight.’” Kajik closed his eyes. Arynne’s connection to him flickered like a candle flame in the back of his mind. He could feel her worry like his own—which meant she could feel his shame. Why had the heartbond chosen him? Arynne deserved so much better. He tried to clear his mind, but it was like swiping at a fog.
“Maybe, but it wasn’t your fault,” Olyn continued. “And maybe it’s not a bad thing. The magic must’ve chosen you for a reason.”
“Or Father’s right and it was because I’d meddled with Arynne.” The heartbond sparked, sending a spike of anxiety through him. He inhaled sharply.
“Did you?” Confusion tainted Olyn’s tone. “According to Arynne—”
Another pang of emotion, this time fear. Kajik clenched his jaw to push it down. “Not like Father assumes ... we didn’t ... we kissed once ...”
“Well, she said she kissed you and yo
u weren’t exactly—”
Kay!
Arynne’s voice stabbed through his mind, screaming for him, begging for him. He gasped, eyes snapping open.
Olyn’s eyes widened. “Are you all right?”
Kajik staggered back a step, knocking over his chair. “Arynne’s in trouble!”
Olyn leaped to his feet. “You’re sure?”
Kajik nodded. “She ... she needs me.” He focused on her, trying to get a feel for her surroundings so he could travel to her.
Olyn stepped around the table and grabbed his arm. “Hold up! I know where she is. We’ll go together.”
ARYNNE SAT ON THE COUCH with Sol curled up in her lap. The cat-owl’s tail flicked with a gentle rhythm that, combined with the purrs rising from his furry chest, eased her anxiety. Sigid sat across from her, messing with the tea things. While at first confused by Arynne’s story, she hadn’t made any judgements beyond, “Yeah, he’s also a fine specimen, if you know what I mean, but I personally would’ve held out for the older brother.”
“Well, apparently he’s available now ... if you know what I mean.” Arynne scoffed.
Sigid gave a dreamy sigh. “If only.”
Closing her eyes Arynne focused on the heartbond. Kay had calmed down, going from constant waves of agony to a low but steady misery. Not much better, but she suspected it meant Olyn had found him. Olyn would make sure Kay was all right.
Sol’s body stiffened, and his head shot up with one of his odd, hooting meows. His wings unfurled, and with a great flap he launched into the air. After circling the room once, he perched on the back of the couch, right behind her shoulder, and glared at the door.
As if in response to this, it burst open without so much as a knock.
Sigid leaped to her feet with a scandalized cry. “These are the princess’s private chambers! How dare you—oh!” Her face went white.
Evyd stormed into the room, Friya and Clindt close behind as well as a woman of perhaps twenty who Arynne didn’t know but who had Friya’s dark curls and Clindt’s gray eyes.