Page 181 of Star Bringer
“I know. It’s terrible.” She sighs. “But you need to sit down and eat, Your Highness. You’ve had nothing substantial since you arrived. You have to keep your strength up.”
I allow her into the room, figuring once we’re alone, I can level with her and make a plan of escape for us. She enters and closes the door softly behind her, then puts my tray down on the small dining table in the corner of my sitting room. I dig in—it’s delicious, but I was kind of craving fishgalen casserole.
“Would you like me to pour you some coffee, Your Highness?” Lara asks.
I nod because it’s easier than telling her I’ll do it myself. But then I nearly burst into tears when she mixes one and a half spoons of sugar into the mug—exactly how I like it.
At one point, I thought I’d never have sugar again. And I was truly okay with that.
As she settles down in the chair opposite me, hands folded primly in her lap, I think of the best way to start, to convince her she’s in danger and that she needs to leave with me. But as I study her, I notice she’s worrying her lip back and forth between her teeth. I’ve known Lara a long time, and that’s a surefire tell that she’s afraid whatever she has to say is going to upset me.
Which only makes me want to know what’s going on even more. “Spit it out, Lara,” I finally say.
Her eyes widen at my less-than-royal words, but she finally starts talking. “I wasn’t sure I should tell you,” she begins. “I mean, I didn’t think you would care one way or another. But then earlier you said that those people were your friends. And I’ve been thinking about it ever since. It was something I overheard while your mother was talking to the dressmaker about your dress for today. She was also having a conversation with Mikhaela.”
I nod, because that’s not unusual. Mikhaela is my mother’s chief advisor on policy within the Senestris System.
“Just after Arik confirmed he collected you,” Lara says, “your mother apparently contacted the Corporation and arranged for a whole load of ships to mobilize around Glacea. She thought that your…friends would stick nearby until after you were collected, and she’s hoping to run them to ground.” She pauses. “They haven’t been found yet, but now that you’re here, she’s ordered them all to be killed, not just captured. Every ship from Serai to Glacea is searching for them. Apparently, they know too much.”
She says the last in a rush, like she can’t get the words out fast enough.
I have to say, I really wish I hadn’t downed that coffee, considering I’m pretty sure I’m going to puke.
Don’t puke, don’t puke, don’t fucking puke.
Some things even the mantra can’t stop. I can feel my dinner crawling back up, and I race to the bathroom.
I barely make it in time.
When I’m finally done, Lara brings me a cool cloth and some mouthwash. I rinse my face and my mouth, then stumble back into my bedroom to think about what Lara told me.
The worst thing is, I’m not even surprised. Horrified, yes. But surprised, not even a little bit. Disposing of threats is pretty much my mother’s modus operandi.
Every new thing I learn is designed to teach me that my mother is not a woman of honor.
I sit very still while I think over what Lara has told me. My mind is whirling. I can’t breathe, and sweat is trickling down my spine. Sure, Arik and I made a plan, but only about an hour ago—and he must not be in on my mother’s plans. My mom’s execution order has apparently been out since I made landfall.
My friends could be dying at this very moment.
TheStarlightcould have been blown out of the sky.
Ian could be dead, and so could Rain. Max. Gage. Merrick. Beckett.
My already shaky stomach threatens to revolt again, but I refuse to give in to it.
TheStarlightis too good at evasive maneuvers to just be brought down like that. She’s gotten us out of scrape after scrape. I have to believe she’ll do it again.
They’re probably already in the Wilds, picking up Milla beyond the reach of Corporation ships. Nothing else makes any sense.
But what if my mother’s right?
What if they didn’t take my leaving as well as I thought they would?
What if something went wrong with their plan and they’re flying right into my mother’s evil trap?
Once the thought occurs to me, I can’t unthink it, no matter how hard I try.
I thought I was keeping them safe by leaving. In reality, I signed all their death warrants.
