Luna sank onto the couch, and Zwaantie joined her, her mind spinning. “I don’t understand.”
Luna’s breath became more labored. “I was the one who left the door open for the vipers and locked you out of your room. I tried to stay away, hoping if I wasn’t with you, he couldn’t tell me to kill you. But lately he’s become more insistent, and I couldn’t fight it. I’m sorry.”
Zwaantie’s heart raced. Luna was dying in her arms. She closed her eyes for a moment. She pushed down the sadness that threatened to overwhelm her. She didn’t have time, and crying wouldn’t stop the flow of poison in Luna’s veins.
“Do you know who the Voice is? Can we stop him?”
Luna gripped Zwaantie’s arm. “He’s the father of my child.” She collapsed, her last breath gone.
“No, Luna. No.” She patted Luna’s face and pulled Luna to her chest, silent tears flowing down her cheeks. Her heart tightened, and an ache formed in her belly. She sobbed over her body. Her best friend was dead.
Very gently, she laid Luna back down on the couch. This wasn’t fair to Luna. She’d been a victim of the Voice.
She ran out of the room and burst into Sage’s room. Sage jumped up off the couch.
“Zwaantie, are you okay?” Sage rushed to her and brushed away Zwaantie’s tears.
“Luna, she’s dead.” Zwaantie’s voice cracked, and she had to blink back more tears.
Phoenix rose from the couch with wide eyes. “What? How?”
Zwaantie took a couple of deep breaths. Nothing felt real. “She…she tried to kill me. Poison. At the last minute she took the glass from me and drank it herself.” Zwaantie covered her mouth, unable to go on. Luna was dead because of her. Because of the Voice. She met Phoenix’s eyes. “She told me who the Voice is.”
“What?” Sage asked, gripping her hand. “Who?”
“Pieter.”
“Her husband?” Sage asked, her eyebrows furrowed.
Phoenix nodded. “It makes sense. He had full access to the castle. We all thought he was always around because the king kept him too busy, but maybe it was a cover.”
Sage looked between the both of them. “Zwaantie, go tell Lyra everything. Including about the Voice. I’m going to back to Sol.”
“Why?” Phoenix asked.
“I’m going to capture Pieter and bring him back here. I have to go now though. If he knows that she told you, he’ll act quickly to avoid being discovered. Phoenix, keep her safe.”
Chapter 24
The Alliance
“Phoenix, I’m so sorry,” Zwaantie said.
He reached for her, and she hugged him. His body shuddered, and she held tighter, knowing he needed this. After several moments, he pulled away, wiping his eyes. “Can I see her?”
“Of course.” She held his hand and led him to her room. He collapsed next to Luna’s body. Zwaantie could barely look at her. Every time she did, a sob escaped. Luna was dead. She’d never smile, never bear the child growing in her belly, never return to Sol and see the sun. Zwaantie would be dead right now if Luna hadn’t overpowered the Voice. She owed Luna her life.
Zwaantie dropped her hand to Phoenix’s shoulder. “I’m going to find someone to help us take care of the body. Will you be okay with her?”
Phoenix nodded. “Yeah, I want some alone time with her anyway.”
She kissed him on the cheek and rushed out of the room. She wove through the complex halls, down a couple flights of stairs, and pounded on Lyra’s door.
Lyra jerked the door open. “You don’t have to beat—”
Zwaantie shoved past her.
“What’s the matter?” Lyra furrowed her brow.
“My best friend. My servant from Sol. She tried to poison me but killed herself instead.”
“What? Where?”
“She’s in my room. Can you have someone take care of her?”
“Yes. Sit. I’ll be with you in a moment.”
Zwaantie pressed her hands against her eyes while she waited. Luna was dead. So much death. The Voice was behind it all. Maybe not all. The vipers were doing their fair share as well. Perhaps they were connected somehow. Maybe Lyra could help her sort out her thoughts.
The ache in Zwaantie’s chest grew. Luna’s death would haunt her for years to come. She’d still be alive if not for Zwaantie. No. She couldn’t take this guilt upon herself. This was on the Voice. He would pay. Zwaantie would hunt him down herself if she had to and avenge Luna’s death. The Voice would regret the decision to take on Zwaantie. He’d gone too far.
Lyra returned a few minutes later, took the chair across from Zwaantie, and gripped her hands. “Tell me.”
Zwaantie launched into the tale about the Voice. Everything she could remember from the first assassination attempt in Sol with the poisoned slave to Luna revealing the Voice was Pieter.
“Sage is on her way to Sol to see if she can capture him. Do you think she’ll be okay?” Sol was a dangerous place for any Stellan at the moment. The Voice knew Zwaantie and Sage were close. If he caught wind she was on his turf, he could have her killed. Zwaantie wouldn’t be able to handle another death hanging over her head.
Lyra nodded. “If anyone can get him, Sage can. That girl is stealthy, deadly, and a survivor. She’s not power hungry at all, but if she were, she’d have overthrown her father and taken the crown.”
If a hollowness hadn’t filled her chest, Zwaantie would’ve laughed, but right now nothing was funny, even Sage as Queen of Stella.
“What if she can’t get him?”
“We’ll continue to be vigilant. Let’s increase your guard. Sage can’t fulfill that role anymore. We’ll also employ official tasters for your food and drinks.”
Zwaantie clenched her fists. “I don’t want to live like a prisoner.”
“It’s that or risk death. Go back to your room. I’ll send guards.” Lyra was obviously used to being listened to, but she didn’t yet know that Zwaantie wasn’t good at following directions. She would not be a prisoner in her own home, not when she had a Voice to hunt down.
“Can we keep this from Leo?” Zwaantie asked.
Lyra leaned away, contemplative. “Why?”
“We’ll have to tell him about Luna and the poison, but I don’t want him to know about the Voice. The more people who know, the more dangerous things will be. It will be better if we just let Leo think it’s a run-of-the-mill assassin.”
“You have a point. Besides, he needs to focus on the vipers. I have to tell him, but I won’t mention the Voice.”
Zwaantie left Lyra’s office and went to the tower. She needed air. The tower was the only place she could be alone. Contrary to what Lyra thought, Zwaantie didn’t need the guards. She needed solitude.
Chapter 25
The Proposal
Once up in the tower, she lay down in the middle of the circle and put her arms behind her head. Those stars. She couldn’t get enough of them. Perhaps Luna had taken her place among them. Zwaantie searched to see if she could find a new one, but there were millions of stars. She’d never know.
If she ever made it home, she’d sure miss them. Though, as long as the Voice was around, she wouldn’t be able to return. What if Pieter was simply a small part of a bigger problem, and by eliminating him, the Voice would still be there, trying to kill her. She wished she could talk to someone from home. She could write a letter to Raaf. He might know more about how things worked, but he wouldn’t want to have anything to do with getting rid of the Voice.
She would be queen soon. How could she not return to her own kingdom? While she loved the stars, she wasn’t sure she could live with never seeing the sun again. She closed her eyes and imagined its warmth on her skin. Life had been so simple in Sol. When had things changed?
They changed when Raaf and Phoenix arrived home from Raaf’s training, and she fell in love with Phoenix, and the attempted murders had began. Leo showing up only increased the severity of the attacks. How her life would be different if she had m
arried Prince Moo-for-me.
She’d be miserable. But alive.
A clatter sounded beneath her, and she poked her head up to see Ari climbing out of the hatch. She hadn’t talked to him since his mother’s funeral.
His face was full of sadness and sorrow. He didn’t look like the Ari she’d come to love. Zwaantie’s stomach clenched. It’d been a week since the funeral of his mother, and now she was dealing with grief of her own, but she still didn’t know what to say or do. Death leaves holes in hearts that do not heal. She sat up.
“I’m so sorry,” she said.
He collapsed next to her. She reached over and squeezed his hand, and he let out a sob. She’d never seen him so vulnerable. She gathered him in her arms and let him cry. Her heart broke for him.
After a several minutes, he calmed, wiped his bloodshot eyes, and took a deep shuddering breath. “You know, I’ve never cried before.”
“Ever?” Everyone cried occasionally, even if only in private. Though she supposed his normal unending carelessness was part of Ari’s charm. His mother’s death would change that. He’d become someone different. Grief did that to a person. Luna’s death would change her.
“Since I was a child.” His breathing was still ragged, but his eyes were starting to clear.
“You didn’t cry at the funeral?”
“No. I’ve just been numb. I can’t believe she’s gone. She was the one person I told everything to. She never judged me, and she always supported my decisions. You know I came up here because I knew you’d be here. I heard about Luna. I needed to make sure you were okay. Sorry I hijacked your grief.”
She gave him a small grin. “It’s okay. I’m still a little in shock.” She squeezed his hand. “You shouldn’t be here.”
“I need you. Not my father. Not Sage. You.” He balled his hands into fists. “I don’t know how to do this without you.”
“Do what?” Butterflies fluttered in her stomach. Her emotions betrayed her. When she was done here, she was getting on a boat back to The Black City and not leaving Leo’s side. Even in grief and death, she and Ari were walking a dangerous line.
“Life. I was doing so good before you came around, and then you go and turn everything upside down.”
“I don’t know what you want me to say. I can’t love you.” Yet she did. She loved him more than she’d loved anyone. She refused to look at him because she’d give in to something she shouldn’t.
“There’s nothing to say. The moment I laid eyes on you, I was lost. I tried to deny it, but I couldn’t stop thinking about you. Then at the lock-in, I wasn’t surprised when Soul Mate revealed you even though I should’ve been. After I kissed you, I knew my life would never be the same.”
Zwaantie didn’t respond. She couldn’t. She knew that whatever she said, it would be the wrong thing.
“Marry me.” He spoke the words without hesitation. Like he’d planned this. Like it would be that easy.
Zwaantie’s heart froze. If he had uttered those words a week ago, she would’ve been ecstatic, but now, she wasn’t so sure. If they got this wrong, the consequences could be catastrophic.
“Last week you were adamantly against marriage. What if you resent me for it?”
“At this point the resentment won’t be toward you but against my own country.”
“So, you’ll marry me not because you love me but because of your country. I'm sorry your mother died, but I can’t bring her back. I’m not sure I want to marry you under these circumstances.” She knew she was being mean, but this proposal was unexpected. She had a plan in her head for how to deal with the prophecy and Leo, and now she had to figure out how to change it. She needed time to absorb.
He ran a hand through his hair. “You don’t understand. People are dying and will continue to die unless we get married. I suppose I could let you marry Leo, but I don’t think you want that either.”
“Maybe that’s what I’m supposed to do.” If she’d learned anything in the past several weeks, it was that she wasn’t allowed to do what she wanted. Duty and honor came first, and marrying Ari would be foolish.
“I was considering proposing even before Mother died. I know I didn’t say it, but the more I thought about things, the more I realized it was the best option. I want to marry you and not only because my mother died.”
“Are you lying to me?” A spark of hope bloomed in her chest. Was this possible?
“No, I swear.”
“I need to think about it.” She didn’t want to mess anything up or be responsible for any other deaths, so she would not rush into this. If she married Ari, it would be because it was right decision. Not just because she wanted him.
He let out a breath. “Okay. But don’t think too long.” He leaned over and kissed her lightly on the lips. “I love you, Zwaantie.”
“I love you too,” Zwaantie replied with conviction.
Chapter 26
The Conundrum
Zwaantie nodded at the guards posted outside her room and stopped dead in the doorway. She couldn’t go in. Luna had died in there only a few hours before. Not only would it be eerie, but it would be too quiet. She needed a companion.
She needed Sage, but Sage was in Sol, risking her neck for Zwaantie.
She met the eyes of one of the guards. “I’m going to stay in Sage’s room.” The guard nodded and put his hand on the small box on his hip. “What’s that?” Zwaantie asked.
“A backsnipe. Better than my sword.”
Ah, yes. Zwaantie remembered the magical crossbow Leo brought to Sol when he came seeking her hand.
She left her room, guards trailing after her, and hesitated in front of Ari’s door, but knew staying with him would be a mistake. Instead, she found herself surrounded by a dozen cats and Andromeda on her lap, her thoughts in turmoil. Processing Luna’s death was one thing. Ari’s proposal was quite another.
Zwaantie’s disc buzzed, and Sage’s face flashed up on her wall.
“I’m not surprised to find you here,” Sage said.
“I couldn’t go back to my own room. Where are you?” Zwaantie would’ve thought Sage would be in Sol by now.
“In Sol. A pub.”
“You’re disc works?” Zwaantie asked. Potions worked in Sol. Things like discs should not.
“Um. Yeah. I’m not explaining how.”
Zwaantie shook her head, not allowing one more thing to enter her already confused thoughts. “Have you found anything?”
“No. I thought you might know where Pieter lives. I can get him tonight. Sol is easy to sneak around after midnight.”
Zwaantie’s voice caught in her throat, and the reality of Luna’s death slammed into her. “I gave him and Luna a home.” Zwaantie squeezed her eyes shut and explained to Sage how to get to Pieter.
“It will get easier,” Sage said.
“I know. I can’t believe she’s gone.” Zwaantie wiped away her tears.
“I wish I could be there for you. Maybe you should talk to Ari.”
Sage wouldn’t usually suggest something so reckless. But it made sense in a twisted kind of way since they were both grieving. “I already have.”
“How’d that go?”
Zwaantie let out a long breath. Sage would help her work through the different options. She was wise beyond her years.
“He proposed,” Zwaantie said.
Sage’s eyes popped open, and she squeaked. “Really?”
“Yeah.”
“What are you going to do?” Sage was all grins. Zwaantie should’ve known better than to ask her for advice. Her answer would be absolutely marry Ari. Maybe Zwaantie had misjudged her wisdom.
“I have no idea. This whole thing. The prophecy. Leo. Ari. I don’t know what to do. Whatever I do, it needs to be the right thing. But what is the right thing? How do I know?” If she messed this up, she’d never forgive herself. No one else would either. She’d end up executed if she got this wrong. She’d deserve it too. She’d probably welcome death at that point
.
Sage stared at Zwaantie for a long moment. “I’m pretty smart, you know.”
Zwaantie snorted. “Yeah, I know.” It was as if Sage could read her mind.
“The prophecy. It was very specific. The kingdoms of Stella and Sol must be joined, right?”
“Right.” She’d heard the words a thousand times. She didn’t know why Sage needed to point it out again. Plus, Zwaantie had made the same argument to Ari in the garden.
“Well, if you marry Ari, then both Stella and Sol will fall under the same reign. You will be queen of both Sol and Stella. Likewise, Ari will be king. How could they be more joined? Plus, you’re madly in love. Bam. Prophecy fulfilled.”
That sounded too easy. She felt like she was missing something. “I know. But for so long, anything I’ve wanted has been wrong. What if I’m supposed to be miserable, and the only possible path is marriage to Leo.”
“Don’t be stupid. If you want to marry Ari, marry Ari.”
Zwaantie appreciated how Sage didn’t pull any punches. Though it might just be because that’s what Zwaantie wanted to hear.
“But what if I’m wrong? So many people have died already. I can’t be responsible for any more.” This was the crux of any decision she was about to make.
“I actually think it’s the smarter choice. We can spin it that way for the public too. We don’t know what’s going to happen when the kingdoms join, just that the vipers will stop killing people.”
“You really think this is the best path?” She wanted this to be the answer, but she needed someone else to confirm it.
“I do.”
A weight lifted off of Zwaantie’s chest. She so desperately wanted to make the right choice. By having Sage on her side, she felt a little better.
“What about Leo?” He’d be crushed. She could split their family by marrying Ari.
“He’ll survive.”
“Candace is going to kill me.” She didn’t want to hurt Candace. She had so many people to think about besides herself.
“No. She’s going to be happy her baby will live.”
Stella and Sol Box Set Page 46
