Page 96 of Fire to the Stars

Abel looks at her like she’s speaking a mystery language. “I’m no authority on gowns.”

I pat his cheek. “He means we’ll take it.”

Hours later, we climb into the carriage that waits outside our hotel. Along the way to the ball, I pin my hair up. It isn’t the most careful job, but the gown alone makes me feel beautiful.

In just a few minutes, our carriage passes through the Étoile Palace’s gated entryway. The grounds catch my breath. Curved pathways lined with perennial hedges sparkle with caps of snow. Frosty winter wildflowers stretch around a stone fountain. The sunsset casts a soft orange glow that makes it all the more romantic.

Beside me, Abel looks outside, his stare as distant as the owl constellation.

“Is that encounter with the prisoner still bothering you?” I place my hand on his. “You know you can tell me what happened in there.”

He doesn’t look at me.

“I know you don’t want to worry me, but I’m worried aboutyou,” I try. “I won’t enjoy the ball unless you tell me what’s wrong.”

“I’m sorry.” He squeezes my hand. “I just feel like my purpose as a slayer has changed.”

“You decided your own role, no? The compassionate approach.”

“I know, and I’m settled on it,” he assures me. “What bothers me is that not a single dragon I’ve slain committed worse crimes than that prisoner. Yet Diu hasn’t cursed him. That means Diu isn’t simply failing to punish the worst offenders. He’s setting slayers up to kill better people.”

Like Micah and Gérard.

I recite Diu’s promise. “ ‘Purge your realm of crime, O mortalkind; then I shall return my fire to the stars.’ Thoseseemlike simple marching orders,” I say, “but slayers can’t purge sinners whom Diu won’t curse. It’s an impossible task.”

“Right. There must be something I’m missing about Diu’s intentions. If I don’t figure it out, I fear it will have larger implications for Florent’s moral trajectory.”

“Are you concerned the public will receive your suspicion poorly?”

“My new hunting method is already an uphill battle. I’m not sure anyone is ready to hear me challengeThe Tale of Stars.”

“I don’t know how to help,” I admit.

“You listened. That’s plenty.” He laces his fingers around mine. “Let’s just enjoy the night.”

We pull up to the palace’s entrance. Abel exits first, then offers a hand while I step down. I adjust my skirts and shiver in the night’s chill. I’m waving off the carriage driver when something warm settles over my shoulders. Abel drapes me with a velvet shawl that matches my gown. Not only that—his fingers brush my skin as he fastens a silver necklace around my neck.

I touch the teardrop-shaped sapphire pendant. “Thank you.”

Abel looks pleased with himself as he places a hand on the small of my back.

“You seem confident,” I say as we ascend the front steps, and admit to myself that my heart flutters at this side of him. “Do you secretly enjoy high society?”

“It has rules to follow and standards to meet. It’s like a game.”

“So that’s why you dolled me up?” I tease.

“No,” he laughs. “I merely wish to highlight your beauty.”

“Your game is improving, monsieur.”

“No game, dragon. I’m simply anticipating your desires.”

Dragon.I close my eyes for a moment and allow myself relief at how Abel is using my reality as a term of endearment. Even if it’s just a little, I’m glad he’s making peace with the way we mustpart.

Flashing our invitation cards prompts the Royal Guards to open giant double doors to a gilded corridor. Portraits and busts of previous royals line the walls. Crystal chandeliers cast fragmented candlelight across the artwork. Another set of doors waits at the end of our walk, where two more guards sweep them open to a swell of music in the ballroom. My heartbeat stumbles.

The skeleton of a dragon hangs from the ceiling.