ShatterStar

by Krista Rose

  His face darkened, and I thought for a moment he would strangle on his tongue. He wanted nothing more than to deny me- but to do so would have looked petty and vindictive, and I had already made him look like a fool once. The shame of it burned in him, low and hot, a tiny ball of hate.

  At last, he muttered his assent, marching into the hall with most of his soldiers, leaving only two females behind to watch me dress. They propped the door closed as best they could, and Lyrel began the arduous task of undoing the knots once more.

  “What’s going on?” I asked her quietly, trying to still my shaking hands. “This trial. What is it?”

  “It is to determine your guilt, my lady.” Her eyes were wide when she glanced up at me, but beneath her fear was an odd layer of calm. “Do the Vadrani not have trials anymore?”

  “I’ve never been arrested before.”

  She shook her head. “Lord Rathis will take you to the Hall of Princes, where he, and whatever others have gathered, may present evidence and testimony against you to Prince Sotiris. When they have finished, they will allow you to argue your innocence.”

  “I am innocent.”

  “That is what I believe as well, my lady. But it is not I who will decide, it is the Prince.” She released the final knot, and rose to pull the dressing gown from my shoulders.

  I swallowed. “And if I am found guilty?”

  “The Valariel will execute you.”

  “Execute?” My voice emerged in a horrified whisper, my hands reaching protectively for my throat. “Why?”

  “Harm of a Cedrani within Cedralysone is strictly forbidden, my lady.” She bit her lip as she searched through my chest of gowns. “If they are lenient, it is my hope they will merely exile you instead.”

  “Exile.” My heart clenched, thinking of Aleydis. To never see him again… No. I wouldn’t consider it. “But I’ve done nothing wrong. I had nothing to do with Aillel’s disappearance, and, even if I had, there’s no proof that she’s been harmed. She’s spent time with Alyxen and Tanner willingly before.”

  “Yes, my lady. But Lady Aillel’s mother is Lord Rathis’ sister, and his view on your presence here is… uncomplimentary.”

  “That is the politest term for bigotry I may have ever heard.”

  She flashed me a brief grin as she pulled a gown of soft white silk from the bottom of the chest. I allowed her to drape it around me, pinning the Aur-Ishket to my shoulder as a reminder of Aleydis’ favor. She snatched up the brush and tugged it through my hair, leaving the softened curls from the night before loose and spiraling down my back.

  “There is one other thing, my lady,” she murmured as she helped me put on delicate silk slippers. “An accused may ask for a orinohld, a friend-speaker, to stand beside them and act as witness. You may ask for anyone you wish, my lady.”

  My first thought was of Aleydis. I had no doubt that he would stand beside me, defiant and proud as I faced my accusers. But then I remembered the tense exchange he had had the night before with Lord Rathis, and the possibility of that taking my side would cause difficulties between him and his father, who would sit as my judge.

  I looked at Lyrel. “Would you be my orinohld?”

  She blinked, genuine surprise flickering through the torrent of my own emotions. “Me? But I thought-” She stopped, but it was clear she had thought I would ask for Aleydis as well. “I- I would be honored, my lady.”

  “If you are my orinohld, then you should call me by my name. It’s only fair.”

  “Yes, my- Lanya.” She kept her eyes downcast, but I could sense I had pleased her. “Thank you.”

  I took a deep breath, and straightened my shoulders. “I think I’m ready.”

  The two guards nodded, and pulled open the broken door. I wondered how it would ever be repaired, or if I would be given a different room if I proved innocent.

  When I prove innocent, I reminded myself. When, not if.

  Lord Rathis was still waiting in the hall for me. His scowl faded into confusion when he saw Lyrel by my side, and for a moment I thought I saw fear flicker in his eyes. “What is this?”

  “Lyrel has agreed to be my friend-speaker,” I replied with a toss of my head, wishing I could remember the Cedrani word she had used. “She will accompany me to the audience with Prince Sotiris.”

  His face paled, but he managed to glower, and I brushed past him, leaving him scrambling to catch up with us.

  The halls were empty as we returned to the central stair; other than the Cedrani that accompanied me, I saw no one else as we descended toward the first floor. Lyrel took my arm when we reached it, leading me past the open stairwell that led down to the Aurelion, and past the huge marble statues that lined the room to a set of doors hidden in the shadows. The gold-leaf embellished doors were more than twice my height, and guarded by a pair of massive Cedrani kings, their expressions cold and severe as they stared down at me.

  The combination was imposing, and I felt small and insignificant as Lyrel pushed the doors open and led me inside.

  I saw then the reason we had passed no other Cedrani in the halls: it seemed that every man, woman, and child within Cedralysone was gathered into this enormous audience chamber. Above their heads hung ornate tapestries and banners emblazoned with the symbol of House Cedralysone, a many-pointed star behind a golden eye. On the far side of the hall rose a kneeling statue of the Goddess Diona, the top of her star-crowned head brushing the vaulted ceilings as she stared down at the room below.

  Prince Sotiris sat upon a throne made from the Goddess’ cupped hands, his expression grave as he looked out over the audience chamber. Aleydis stood at his side, his expression unreadable, though I could sense his frustration even across the distance that separated us.

  Our arrival was welcomed by a wave of whispers, and I sensed curiosity and excitement filtering through the gathering Cedrani. Fear flickered among those closest to us; it seemed to be directed at Lyrel, though I could not understand why.

  Confused, I followed as she led me to the front of the room, watching as surprise blossomed across Aleydis’ face when he saw the woman at my side.

  “Lyrel?” Prince Sotiris’ brows rose as we paused in front of him to curtsy. “What is it you do here?”

  “Lady Lanya has asked me to be her orinohld,” Lyrel replied, her voice resounding through the hall. I glanced at her, amazed to see that the shy and timid demeanor I had grown used to had vanished. She stood straight, her head held high and confident. Her face was serene as she gazed at the Prince.

  Lord Rathis stepped forward with a spate of angry Y’ken’ohl, and Prince Sotiris cut him off with a wave of his hand and a disapproving frown. “You have been warned before about speaking in our tongue before those who do not speak it, Lord Rathis. Lady Lanya is still a guest of Cedralysone, and you will respect her as such until her guilt is proven. And if the Lysone Lyrel wishes to stand beside her as orinohld, that is her right. It is not for you to speak against it.”

  “Lysone?” I repeated in a whisper, glancing at Lyrel. “What’s a Lysone?”

  “An Eye of the Cedrani,” she whispered back, her lips tilting in amusement as she watched Lord Rathis’ face shift between pale and flushed several times. “We watch over newcomers, discover their secrets. If one becomes a threat, we are given the right to eliminate them.”

  I swallowed against the unexpected warning in her voice, barely resisting the urge to step away from her. My servant is an assassin?!?

  Lord Rathis’ face finally settled on a shade between red and purple, and he cleared his throat. “I apologize, Lysone Lyrel and Lady Lanya. Forgive me if I offended.”

  Lyrel tilted her head, then took my arm and led me to a seat on an ornate bench at the front of the hall. I noticed at last that Reyce was already sitting there, and he stared at me with an expression of fear and confusion as I sat beside him. On impulse, I reached for his thoughts, but found only the blinding swirl of confusion that left shards of stabbing pain behind my eyes. I severe
d the connection before the headache could intensify.

  He smiled at me sadly and patted my hand before turning his attention back to the throne.

  Lord Rathis seemed to have at last recovered from his embarrassment. He turned his back to me, presenting himself to the Prince and the left side of the hall in a clear gesture of dismissal. “Last night, the Lady Aillel Ethraslyss was seen in the company of Alyxen Rose and the man Tanner who accompanies him. In a search of the city this morning by the Lysone who watch over them, it has become apparent that they have disappeared. The Lady Aillel is nowhere to be found, and the worst is feared for the fate of her person.”

  I frowned as Lord Rathis continued to give details of the extensive search that had been performed, scouring the city for signs of Aillel’s whereabouts, all the while hinting darkly about what my brother and Tanner might have done with her. I leaned toward Lyrel. “Why didn’t you tell me you were a Lysone while we were still in my rooms?”

  She shrugged. “It is my duty to discover your secrets, Lady Lanya. You may have yet revealed yourself to me once I became your orinohld.”

  “You’re a spy.”

  “If you wish.”

  “And an assassin.”

  “And your protector, as long as you are within my charge.” Her eyes were amused as she glanced at me. “Does it make you uncomfortable?”

  I shifted, remembering how vulnerable I had been around her. She suddenly seemed very dangerous. “Is that why Lord Rathis is so afraid of you?” I asked, ignoring her question.

  “Of course.” She flashed me a small, glittering smile. “All fear the Lysone if they are wise.”

  Lord Rathis was summoning witnesses before the Prince, who each recited in stuttering common having seen the same thing: Aillel leaving the party the night before, accompanied by Alyxen and Tanner.

  “Why did you agree to be my-” I struggled for the word “orinohld, if you weren’t certain of my innocence?”

  “Because I am certain of your innocence, Lanya. I wished to see how you would treat one most would consider themselves superior to.”

  “But why?”

  “Because Aleydis is my friend.” Her head tilted, her eyes much older than they had been in my room. “And because I have never seen him as happy as he is with you. I had to be certain you were worthy to be courted.”

  I gaped, flushing to the roots of my hair. My eyes sought out Aleydis on their own, and I found him staring at me. I dropped my gaze, afraid my desire would begin leaking from me again.

  “There are other things happening here besides this trial,” Lyrel continued, her murmurs meant only for my ears. “Before your arrival, Rathis was pressuring Aleydis to accept the hand of Aillel in marriage, an alliance that would secure his connection to the throne. Both he and Aillel were resistant, but Sotiris will journey to the stars soon, and it will be Aleydis who then becomes Prince. He will need a queen, but there are many who believe only a pure-blooded Cedrani is fit to be the heir of Cedralysone. Hence Rathis’ support against you, these so-called ‘witnesses’.”

  I swallowed, hard, feeling as the blood rushed to my cheeks. I felt desire for Aleydis, perhaps even the stirrings of love- but marriage? Children? Was I prepared for such things?

  Lyrel nudged me, and I realized it was at last our turn to speak. I gained my feet and followed her to stand again before Prince Sotiris. I was careful to keep from looking at Aleydis as we curtsied.

  “My Prince,” Lyrel began, her voice clear and ringing from the walls, “I feel it is my duty as Lady Lanya’s orinohld to point out that Lord Rathis has procured nothing but empty speculation. Lady Aillel left the party with Tanner and Alyxen last night, it is true, but from all accounts it can be inferred that she went willingly, and felt no threat in their presence. There is no evidence of foul play. In fact, there is no evidence of anything at all, not even that they have actually left Cedralysone.”

  She paused to smile at Lord Rathis. He stared at her, his face pale and sweating. “However, if Lady Aillel has left Cedralysone, it is certain that she went with them willingly. The Lysones of both Tanner and Alyxen have assured me that neither possess any magic. Had there been a struggle, Lady Aillel could have overpowered both of them easily.”

  She turned to gesture to me. “Furthermore, Lady Lanya has exhibited no signs that she had any knowledge of their actions or current location. Indeed, I believe she may have been the last person within Cedralysone to know that the three were missing. I will attest to her innocence.”

  “Do any others wish to speak on Lady Lanya’s behalf?” Prince Sotiris asked.

  “I do.” Aleydis stepped forward, his head held high as he gazed at me. “Lady Lanya has expressed nothing but the kindest intentions toward the Cedrani since her arrival. Lady Lyrel’s presence here is proof of this. I think that it is unfair to persecute her for the actions of another, especially when it is clear that she had no involvement. I will attest to her innocence.”

  Prince Sotiris shared a weighty look with his son, but whatever it was that passed between them, I could not read it.

  “Lady Lanya,” he said after a moment, and turned his attention to me. “You have heard the accusations against you, and the words of those who defend your innocence. Have you anything to say?”

  “Your Highness,” I began, ignoring the nerves that trembled in my stomach as I forced myself to meet his gaze, “I truly have no knowledge of where the Lady Aillel has gone, nor even if my brother and Tanner went with her. If I did, I would be the first to speak of it and take you to them. I do know that neither intends her any harm, and will guard her with their lives, wherever they might be. We have nothing but respect for the Star’s Eldest Children, and abide by your laws while in your city.” I ended with a deep curtsy, and held my breath, praying he believed me.

  The hall was so quiet, I was certain everyone present would hear my heartbeat as it thundered against my ribs. Finally Prince Sotiris relaxed, and leaned back in the hands of his Goddess. “So be it.”

  “You don’t think to take this Vadrani’s side?” Lord Rathis demanded. “Cedrani law states-”

  “I know very well what Cedrani law states,” Prince Sotiris interrupted him mildly, “though I appreciate your efforts to educate me.”

  Several Cedrani behind us snickered.

  Prince Sotiris ignored them. “Since it is unclear that any harm has actually happened to the person of Lady Aillel, I dismiss the charges against Lady Lanya, with our deepest apologies.”

  I curtsied again, following Lyrel’s cues, dazed that it was over. Lord Rathis huffed and stormed from the chamber; much of the audience began to trickle out behind him, murmuring to each other as they left.

  Lyrel and I lingered as the Prince rose from his throne and exited through a side door, followed by his personal Valariels. Aleydis approached us after his father had left, his face a careful mask of politeness, though beneath it I could sense him rejoicing.

  “Thank you, Lysone Lyrel.” He bowed slightly to her. “I am pleased you accepted to be Lady Lanya’s orinohld.”

  “It was my pleasure, Lord Aleydis.” She gave him a slight smile, and curtsied again. “Lady Lanya, I will await you at the doors to escort you back to your rooms.”

  “Of course.” I watched her walk away, my skin burning under the weight of Aleydis’ gaze on me. At last I turned to face him, and found him smiling.

  “It pleases me that your name has been cleared in regards to this matter, Lady Lanya.” He took my hand. “I argued against this trial, but Lord Rathis was insistent.”

  “I- I understand, Lord Aleydis.”

  “Do you?” His voice lowered to a murmur, running along my skin like fingertips. I shivered. “Then perhaps you would allow me the pleasure of a private dinner this evening?”

  He’s courting me. The knowledge left me flustered, and I could only manage to stammer, “It would be an honor.”

  He bent over my hand to brush his lips against my knuckles. “Then until late
r, mu baet.”

  REYCE

  I watched in dread as the golden-haired Cedrani- Layman? was that his name?- bent to kiss my sister’s hand. She still wore the vision of the night before: a ethereal, glittering crown that dripped blood onto her hair and cheeks and splattered against the white of her gown. It made her look gruesome, like a macabre bride in this grand hall, while the enormous statue of the Elves’ goddess staring down in judgment.

  But what truly disturbed me was not my vision of her, nor even that the man she smiled at wore a spectral crown to match, complete with dripping, crimson blood.

  What horrified me was that, for an instant, the man on the throne behind her had looked at me. His eyes had been shattered and broken as he held a child in his arms, blood dripping from his fingers as he mourned its death.

  And I couldn’t even warn him.

  LANYA

  Aleydis came for me at sunset.

  Nerves fluttered in my stomach like butterflies in a windstorm, but I managed to keep my hand from shaking as I accepted his offered arm. He escorted me out of the city and down a well-worn path, leading me to a gazebo at the edge of the lake. A table had been laid inside it, and a meal waited for us in covered dishes, filling the calm air with the smells of baked bread and roasted chicken.

  Twilight was descending as he led me to a seat, and I wondered briefly how we would be able to see to eat, since there were no candles on the table. Aleydis merely smiled at me, and, as if reading my thoughts, waved his hand through the air. A thousand golden, glittering lights spiraled around us, dancing like dust motes in sunlight.

  I gaped in astonishment.

  “Have you never seen magic before?” he asked, releasing my hand to pull out the chair for me.

  “None this beautiful,” I admitted. His fingertips brushed my exposed shoulders as I sat, setting the butterflies in my stomach into a frenzy. I took a hasty gulp from my wine glass to calm them, then gasped as the taste of apples and cinnamon flooded my tongue. Llylet.