Stars May Fall (Stars May Burn #2)

10. Annabelle

ANNABELLE

A knock sounded at the private servant door to my room. Four quick taps. I locked the main door before opening the second narrow door that blended in perfectly with the whitewashed wooden panels.

Noah bowed as he entered, holding his cap in his hands. As the servant who oversaw the procurement of food for the kitchens, he was in the perfect position to bring me information from both inside and outside the castle. We had been working together for three years and had quite the network between the unofficial gossip and people who deliberately passed on information for a few coppers. It was amazing how much of what people tried to keep quiet was noticed by passersby.

I indicated the chair for Noah and sat down opposite him, rummaging in my purse for coins that he could pass on to those who were owed.

“Any more sightings of halfsouls?”

He shook his head. “I have a team of street urchins looking for them nightly downtown. Since that night when they were all over the place, nothing.”

I nodded. I should be pleased, but part of me felt restless. If the threat was truly over, I would miss the excitement of running around the streets in the dark with my crossbow, something I’d been doing for the last four months when I’d first heard about the halfsouls. I’d only decided to investigate since nobody else seemed to know about them. There wasn’t any point shadowing Kasten anymore either, since he was clearly not behind them, and besides, he had confiscated my tracking device. I’d become used to saving lives. Now I wanted to feel like I was still doing something—anything that made a difference.

I passed him the coins. “And Lord Lyrason?”

“He hasn’t left his mansion all week, though he received a letter from the king this morning. It may be a summons.”

A summons? What was Father planning? To question and sentence him personally? I might have to resort to asking Venerick if Father had asked him to prepare a court case to try him for his crimes.

“Any information on Tyler Gregane?” I had never seen or heard of the man before he had turned up at Kasten’s doorstep to help Sophie.

“All we know so far was that he studied for three years at Ilustran University, where all kryalchemists in Fenland study, about twenty years ago. He seems to have no family and no connections. But I’ll keep digging subtly. It’s hard to ask many questions where Lord Lyrason’s people are concerned. He has too many people in his own pocket.”

I sat back and drummed my fingers against the armrest. How far did Lyrason’s corruption go? How had it taken me so long to realize what sort of a man he was? “You’ve confirmed Sir Halfield and his son, George, are truly out of the city?”

He inclined his head. “Yes, Your Highness. All their property in Adenburg has been sold as well. A lot of the nobility are very happy to see that man gone. It has won the king favor from many of the minor families.”

“And anything of note with Lord Venerick?”

He shook his head. “No, Your Highness. He spends long hours in his study and frequently orders tea from the kitchens. He had a meeting with Duke James yesterday. The servant who served them refreshments said they were playing a board game.”

If Noah thought it was strange that I asked for information on my betrothed, he didn’t show it. I was intrigued to know of his activities so I could see if he was a threat to my own.

“Anything else? Any irregularities with the city guard patrol? Any interesting rumors?”

He sighed, passing his cap from hand to hand. “Not much. Most of the gossip surrounds General Kasten. Many people want the king to get rid of him once and for all, especially those in the palace. Opinions in the city are more mixed. Some people speak as if they would follow him through death itself. I’ve heard nothing about the Red Men since their core people disappeared. You said the General informed you they were turned into halfsouls. The remaining people were fringe members who have disbanded. A new organization seems to be forming in their place. Much larger, but completely disorganized. They’re dissatisfied with the city guard and the government. They have no name or clear aim that I have gathered. One of my friends went to one of their meetings. He came back all enthused from the rhetoric but told me nothing of substance.”

I pursed my lips. This could certainly be a problem. I suspected Kasten’s actions against Lord Lyrason had done a lot to fuel this group, but I could hardly lay the blame for them at his feet. If only Duke James had been doing a fairer job at patrolling the streets rather than always prioritizing the richer areas where there was less crime to start with…

I wondered how much Lord Venerick knew about all of this. Due to running the city’s justice system, he had to work closely with Duke James. Did he realize that the head of the city guard was corrupt? Venerick either had to be foolishly ignorant and trusting, or corrupt himself to let it slide. I wasn’t sure which trait I preferred.

But I consciously tried not to be too scathing or pessimistic when I thought about him. As far as court members went, I could do a lot worse than being betrothed to Venerick. He was busy, which gave both of us space for privacy, and he had certainly been kind toward me. He was closer to me in age than Lyrason and so far appeared to be far less cruel and immoral. I’d had a lucky escape getting out of that man’s clutches.

I handed Noah an extra coin. “Thank you. Let me know if anything more happens. Keep watching Lord Lyrason’s manor.”

He stood as a knock came on the door. “One moment,” I called. I guided Noah out the hidden servant’s passage before smoothing my skirts and unlocking the door.

Hetty, my maid, bobbed a curtsy. “Your Highness, the king summons you at once.”

At last. A jolt of nerves and anticipation made me go to the mirror to check my appearance and practice my determined expression. I clipped back the loose curls from around my face so I looked older and more formal.

Father had never been this angry with me before. He hadn’t spoken to me for a week, and every time we were in the same room, he would glare at me if I so much as sneezed. Finally, he was willing to talk about what had happened. He must have felt that he had left me stewing long enough.

I set off down the corridor, Hetty hovering a few steps behind. The situation was infuriating. I had helped uncover Lyrason’s crimes along with the situation between Sir Halfield and General Kasten. I had preempted Kasten’s actions and liaised successfully between Kasten and Lyrason and so helped avoid civil war. Father should be pinning a medal on my sash.

I’d always known he would be angry if he found out I had been leaving the palace at night with no guards to track down dangerous creatures. Really angry. Not to mention that I’d also been tracking Kasten, after Father had warned me about him countless times. Yes, I’d taken risks, but I wasn’t the heir to the throne, so my life wasn’t that valuable, and the risks had paid off. I’d kept myself safe and uncovered a risk to the whole of Fenland—a risk I’d then dealt with efficiently and effectively.

Mother said Father was angry because I had scared him by risking my life and then disobeyed his orders by not leaving Lyrason’s mansion at once. But surely the end result justified all of that.

Punishing me without recognition just wasn’t fair.

Normally Father and I were close, and he spoiled me with gifts. I hated that we were arguing.

I knocked on the door, my heart pounding in anticipation for the battle ahead. I was ready to defend myself.

A muffled voice sounded through the wood of the white and gold leaf door. “Come in.”

I blew out a breath and entered the king’s office.

Father wasn’t at his imposing desk, but was instead seated on one of the sofas around the low table on the other side, a cup of tea before him. He gestured for me to come over and poured a second cup from the large, gilded teapot.

I obeyed and sat down opposite him, thanking him when he handed me the cup and saucer, but refusing to be disarmed. Every action Father did was deliberate. Did he want to put me at ease to show he had forgiven me, or so he could break through my stubbornness?

“What do you think of the flavor of the tea, Anna? It’s a new blend imported from Cerith.”

I took a sip. I wasn’t much of a tea drinker, and it tasted the same as every other tea I’d drunk in here. “Delicious, Father.”

He grunted in agreement and set his cup back on its saucer. “My dear, I need you to promise there will be no repeat of your escapades. I won’t ask what exactly you thought you were doing. I don’t want to know. But leaving the palace must always be authorized.”

I opened my mouth to object, but he stopped me with his hand.

“Yes, things ended well this time. But what you did was unbelievably dangerous and also highly inappropriate.”

I lifted my chin. “I stopped a civil war.”

Father smiled, his fondness for me shining through. “Perhaps. And your intentions were admirable, I don’t deny that. But listen to me, Annabelle. I need you to understand this. The mechanisms of this court are a complex, well-oiled machine full of thousands of tiny parts. It is my job to know every single one and to keep them all turning. The actions of a single person ignoring instructions could jam the entire smooth working of the machine.”

I frowned. “But surely there are exceptions to every rule, Father. Surely if the stakes against Fenland are high enough, it would be right for me to take the course of action I felt best in the circumstances despite your orders if you were absent.”

Father took another sip of tea, unruffled by my objection. “Anna, I can see that you’re ready for more responsibility. I’ll let you negotiate with the envoy from Nibawae next week. You may discuss the trade deals with them. I look forward to seeing you showcase your skills and proving you are ready for more.” His face and tone became hard. “But don’t go behind my back again. To do so is not just dangerous for you but for me and dozens of others. You are very young. I remember what I was like at your age. You feel invincible and eager, and it’s hard to see where you are being foolish, reckless, or plain wrong. Our country is at war. We have ripples of unrest in Adenburg. I can’t afford any wildcards or unnecessary risks to your safety. I have to know everything that’s going on in the palace.”

I narrowed my eyes, and my heart skipped a beat as words I’d planned to leave unspoken leapt from my mouth. “And do you? Did you know about Lord Lyrason’s halfsouls?”

Father’s face became cool, and he sat back in his seat. “What’s got into you, Annabelle? Concentrate on the envoys from Nibawae. Stay away from General Kasten. I don’t want you to communicate with him at all. That man is more dangerous than Kollenstar right now, and he’s not a good person. Spend time with Lord Venerick. Your poor betrothed deserves more of your affections, and it is a good match. If you do well with Nibawae and create a strong partnership with Lord Venerick, I will increase your involvement with the mechanisms of court, which includes sharing more information. How does all that sound?”

I plastered a bright smile on my face. “Thank you, Father. I shall do that.”

He lifted an eyebrow. “I mean it, Anna. I want nothing but perfect behavior from you. And visit your mother this afternoon, won’t you? She keeps complaining that you don’t join her for dinner often enough.”

I inclined my head.

There was a sharp knock at the door. The king checked his pocket watch. “Ah, yes. That should be Lyrason.”

I perked up. “What will you do with him, Father? The crimes he’s committed are awful in themselves, not to mention that his attack on Kasten’s wife almost led to a civil war.”

And to think there was a time when I’d thought Father would ask me to marry this man. I’d been playing my part dutifully, all smiles and charm, but I’d never thought Lyrason capable of any of this. We weren’t particularly close, and he would’ve led me along with his pretty little lies so easily. It would not be the same with Venerick. I would be in control of our relationship from the start and keep my secrets close to my chest.

The king’s jaw tightened. “Yes, I am quite aware where his mistakes almost led us.” He stood and held out his hand to help me rise too. “And though you should not have been there, and should never go out unaccompanied again, part of me was glad you liaised between the two of them. Whatever illegal weapon Kasten has, if he had unleashed it…” The king paused to collect himself. “Go now, my dear. See your betrothed and your mother. Work hard. I’ll see you tomorrow after your dancing lesson.”

I bobbed a quick curtsy as he walked across the room and settled himself behind his intimidating desk. He resumed more formal mannerisms, and tension returned to his shoulders. “Let Lyrason in as you leave, please.”

I walked to the door and opened it. Lyrason bowed his head. “Princess Annabelle.” He no longer looked nervous or scared—he looked resolved and angry. That by itself was deeply troubling.

What was going on between him and Father?

I passed him without returning his nod or meeting his eyes and let him close the door behind himself. The corridor was deserted. I stood for a moment, my heart quivering with indecision, before giving in to the desperate need to find out what was going on.

Kasten had planted suspicions in my mind, and they were gnawing away at me. I took out the velvet pouch Kasten had given to me and rolled my lip back and forth between my teeth. I didn’t want to be overly influenced by my mysterious half brother. I hated to think that anybody else was controlling me or using me for their own means. But what if he was right?

Kasten was rude, grumpy, and prone to anger. But at least he’d been honest with me. As far as I knew, anyway. He kept many secrets, such as the weapon that had appeared from nowhere. How long had he been keeping something like that and what had he intended it for?

The way he had overcome Lord Lyrason’s guards still sent shivers through me. What if Kasten really did aim to overthrow my father? What if his suspicions grew, and he thought he was in the right to do so? I couldn't let him hurt my family or destroy Fenland from the inside, but I didn’t want him to be used as a scapegoat either. He had earned my grudging respect.

I emptied the velvet pouch, and a small metal ball the size of a fingernail fell into my hand—his listening device.

“I’m not your spy,” I whispered out loud to make myself feel better. But I could do this for myself.

I’d already fastened the receiving pole under the table in Father’s office. That side was a flat square with a tiny hare embossed in one corner. There was nothing that would trace it to anyone other than Lyrason. I wondered how many of these devices he had scattered around the palace. There was probably a second one already in Father’s office.

I walked into the room next door, a reception room normally used for entertaining foreign guests. It was empty and the curtains drawn. I sat down in the gloom between two chairs and placed the ball into my ear.

After a moment of strange echoes and distorted noise, Father’s voice became clear.

“I just don’t understand what you were playing at, Lyrason! Why did you get involved between Sir Halfield and Kasten?”

Lord Lyrason’s voice was tight and clipped. “General Kasten has been disrupting my experiments for months. He knows too much. That Callum Tavolyn is also too smart for his own good. You want Kasten dead too. He almost was. I hadn’t intended for his wife to get bitten and him to get out unscathed. But then I thought he would simply commit treason with his regiment and so give you an excuse to execute him.”

I blinked. Did that mean…that couldn’t mean…

Father spoke. “He suspects and hates you . We don’t want these arguments to spill out into the palace or Adenburg. Due to your actions, that whole situation got out of control.”

I held my breath and clenched my fists, cold flooding my insides. Father knew about the halfsouls. He had known all along. My heart started to pound.

I made out the sound of shifting bodies. Lyrason sounded furious. “Your current anger and frustration are completely misdirected. The main threat to Fenland just rode home without consequences after killing dozens of my guards. On the other hand, who saved Stirling? Who helps your wife? You owe their lives to me. I have worked tirelessly for years following your orders, yet you did not lift a finger to defend me when I needed it. In fact, you give me nothing for my unending loyalty.”

I pressed my forehead to my knees. I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. A lifetime of images of my loving father shattered across my mind, with painful jagged edges. I placed one hand over my mouth and pressed it hard against my lips until the tide of emotion had passed.

Father’s voice was stern. “If you are referring to the fact I didn’t give you Annabelle’s hand in marriage, I had my reasons. You’ve received much else for your service already: land, wealth, and position. I can find you another wife if you wish, though I suspect your land, wealth, and position made you quite capable of that yourself.” His sigh was audible even through the device. “It was your own stupidity that put you in that situation with Kasten. I regret that I couldn’t help you, but if I had gotten involved, Kasten would have seen my links with your experiments and then where would he have stopped? He could have destroyed us all. I had to distance myself to protect Fenland.”

Why had Father changed his mind about marrying me to Lyrason? Did he no longer trust him? No, that didn’t fit. Lyrason was still doing all the work that Father wanted kept secret. Lyrason might be the only person he trusted. Father didn’t even trust me with what he was really doing. Had he engaged me to somebody else so I wouldn’t find out?

I clenched my fists in rage and frustration.

I didn’t trust anyone from court. It was one of the reasons I had set up my own information network. I trusted my informers, but maybe even that was naive. Now I knew I couldn’t even trust my closest family.

Lyrason’s voice lowered. “Well, now, the secret is revealed. How far are you going to distance yourself to protect Fenland ? Will you have me tried and executed? If you do, Kasten will gain even more power and influence, fear and respect. You cannot let that happen. Also, you will completely disrupt our plans when we’re so close. Don’t think Mister Gregane’s work won’t be seriously delayed if I’m removed from the picture.”

I winced, knowing that Father was not going to appreciate that tone of voice. Sure enough his voice responded harshly. “I am the king, Lyrason. I will do what I need to do, and you cannot dictate that.” He paused and when he spoke again, his voice was more gentle. “I must be seen to punish you. However, I keep my promises. After everything is completed, I will reward you beyond your wildest dreams. You can still have Kasomere and everything else you want. You’ll be untouchable. We just need to be patient.”

Again, I heard the noise of moving feet. Lyrason’s voice softened as if his anger was somewhat appeased by Father’s words. “Sire, why are we skirting about the obvious? You only need to punish me if you want to appease Kasten. Don’t give him that power over you. He is your true enemy. He has hidden a weapon of extraordinary power. We don’t even know the full extent. That is a crime. I suspect he now has the power to kill you and your whole family if he wished. He could take over Fenland merely by lifting a finger. The throne is his whenever he wants it. You can’t afford to be patient with him any longer. And you need your allies around you.”

I waited, breathless for Father’s reply.

“You sound like you have a plan to deal with him. If that is the case, it had better work better than your last one.”

Lyrason spoke quickly. “Sire, we must destroy him as quickly as possible and place his new kryalcomy weapon in the hands of Stirling. Then nobody would ever challenge him, and we can end the war with a tremendous victory. That is the only way.”

Father sighed. “If I challenge Kasten directly, we risk pushing him over the edge. I don’t want to risk civil war.”

“Exactly. I…”

There was a knock on the study door, and I jumped at the harsh sound.

The king’s voice became more formal. “I have an important meeting, Lyrason, but when Kasten comes, you are to make a formal apology to him and his wife, and you will act humbly around them. You hear me? For now, we need to give him what little victories we can while we set things in motion.”

I removed the ear piece as the cacophony of several people entering the room bounced around my skull. I swallowed down bile. Father was behind the halfsouls. I could say it to myself over and over and still it was hard to believe. Worse, Lyrason would be allowed to continue his work, and more would suffer. He wasn’t going to be adequately punished at all.

Father really was trying to kill Kasten. His own son. The full horror of it hit me. Nausea stirred in my stomach, and I swallowed the sensation down.

I held still as Lyrason strode past the open doorway. His manner was refined, but he still looked furious. I wondered if Father was wise to save and humiliate him at the same time, whatever he promised.

I shook myself. I should write to Kasten and warn him. No. I needed to process this. Father had done this to save Stirling and help Mother. Something more was going on. I knew Father always tried to do his best by us. And Kasten was hardly my friend—we barely knew each other. I still didn’t know if I could trust him, and though I tried to hide the fact, he sometimes scared me.

What if destroying Lyrason’s work with halfsouls led to the death of my older brother and Mother?

I blew out a breath. Father always spoke against rash action. I needed to watch the events play out and gather more information before deciding what to do next.

What Father had said earlier was right. One action behind his back might have the potential to bring down the kingdom.