They galloped through the pre-dawn streets, cloaks flapping like wings, hearts still pounding from the night and now from fear. The palace loomed ahead, torches blazing along the walls, guards shouting. The great gates stood half-open, soldiers streaming in and out.
Elandor reined in at a side entrance only he knew. They slipped inside, handed the horses to a stunned stable boy, and ran. Boots echoed on stone as they raced toward the throne room. The alarm bell kept tolling, deep and urgent.
A captain met them in the corridor, face pale. "Your Majesty! Thank the gods. Lord Varyn—he's gone from the dungeons. Two guards dead, three missing. And…" He swallowed. "There was an attempt on the royal apartments. Fire arrows through the windows. The consort's quarters were targeted."
Star's blood turned to ice. His room. The one he hadn't slept in tonight.
Elandor's hand found his, squeezing hard. "We're both alive," he said, voice steady but eyes wild. "That's what matters."
They burst into the throne room. The council was already assembled—half-dressed nobles, hair askew, faces grim. Advisor Thorne stood at the center, mask still perfectly in place despite the hour.
"Report," Elandor commanded.
Thorne bowed. "Varyn had inside help. Someone cut the locks, supplied keys, horses. We found this in the empty cell." He held up a torn scrap of parchment sealed with black wax—a raven crest. "The border rebels. He's fled north, likely to join them."
A murmur rippled through the room. One lord stepped forward, voice shaking. "Sire, there's more. Confessions under truth potion. Three council members admitted taking Varyn's coin. They claim he planned to kill the consort tonight, then blame rebels… force you to name a noble replacement. His nephew Kael was to be installed by week's end."
Star felt sick. The necklace had only been the opening move.
Elandor's face turned to stone. "Names."
Thorne read them aloud. Guards moved instantly—three high lords dragged forward in their nightclothes, protesting innocence until the potion's glow in their eyes proved otherwise. The room stank of fear.
"Strip them of titles," Elandor said coldly. "Dungeons until trial. Public execution if guilty."
Star watched the traitors hauled away, then turned to Elandor. "This isn't over. Varyn's still out there."
"No," Elandor agreed. "But now we know who our enemies are. And who our friends aren't."
Later, in the royal apartments—Elandor had insisted Star move there immediately—dawn light crept through arrow-slitted windows. The bed was huge, sheets smelling of cedar and safety. Star sat on the edge, exhausted.
Elandor knelt in front of him, taking both his hands. "I almost lost you tonight. If we'd been in your room…"
"But we weren't," Star cut in softly. "Because you stole me away. Because we were happy." He leaned forward, resting their foreheads together. "We're still here, Eli."
Elandor's voice cracked. "I'm done playing careful. Tomorrow I address the kingdom. Full truth—Varyn's treason, the prophecy, everything. No more secrets."
Star kissed him, slow and deep, tasting salt and smoke. "Good. And I'm done hiding too."
A soft knock. Lila slipped in, eyes red from crying. She bowed low. "I… I have to confess something." Her voice trembled. "One of the missing guards—he was my cousin. Varyn paid him. I didn't know until tonight, I swear. I came the moment I heard."
Star stood, pulling her into a hug. "We believe you. You've been nothing but loyal."
Elandor nodded. "Stay close, Lila. We need people we trust."
She wiped her eyes. "There's one more thing. Before Varyn fled, he left a message carved into the cell wall. For the consort." She handed Star a scrap of charcoal rubbing.
In jagged letters:
The peasant will burn with the crown.
The stars fall first.
Star's fingers went cold, but he met Elandor's eyes and saw the same fire burning there.
"Let him come," Star said quietly. "We'll be ready."
Outside the window, the sun rose red over the city—blood and promise in the same sky.
Betrayal had been unveiled.
War was no longer coming.
It was already here.