Starkeeper of the Fractured Crown

When he was finally done laughing, he glanced towards Cole and then leaned in, holding up his hand as if that would keep his words just between us. “Who are these people?”

I yawned as I straightened. I needed some sleep. Some real sleep. “The High General, his name is Cole Lorily, and…” my eyes found Trick who was watching me with an unreadable expression. “That is—”

“Wait,” Mark interrupted, pulling my attention back. “What are those?”

I followed his finger to the shadows swirling carefully around me, trying to avoid touching him. “These?” I asked, lifting my hand, watching them swirl. “They’re shadows, and this one,” I went on, the one around my neck slithering over to my palm and stretching up, much like a snake would do, “is mine. She doesn’t have a name yet, but she’s been with me for a while now.” Against my will, but I’ve learned to like her.

“Whoa, cool,” he admired. “I’ve never seen it.”

I smiled because despite my thoughts on Trick and his actions, now I had to look at this through the eyes of a 10-year-old boy. “It’s a shadow, Mark, you wouldn’t see it. The rest of them belong to him.”

Mark looked over to Trick.

Trick watched him the way a rabid dog might watch a kitten.

My brother cowered ever so slightly. “He’s kinda scary looking.”

Cole snorted.

Trick’s eyes flicked to mine.“Shall you tell him, or shall I?”

I felt the weight of that collar, but this time it felt reassuring, and I wasn’t sure how much I liked that. “Cole saved you when you ran, and Trick saved me. He’s a High King.”

His expression melted. “He saved you from Mom?” His eyes found mine as he looked me over. “Did he do it right? Asilos Root mixed 80/20 with water? No clumps. The antler? That’s important for infections. And the Mersine Berry juice. I know you said it’s rare to find, but Cole’s a High General, right? He could find it.” Mark looked worried. “High King’s don’t know much about stuff like that. Healing stuff.”

My own gaze softened. There were wounds Mark would never know about because of Trick. “This one does. He is…he isverysmart.” Th compliment tasted like acid on my tongue.

“Thank you, baby,”he hummed smugly.

It took everything I had not to glare.

Mark lookedover to Trick, studying him as if he didn’t believe me. After a second, before I could stop him, my brother ran straight for him.

I shoved myself to an unsteady stand. “Mark,” I called, leaning heavily on the edge of the table.

Trick straightened, eyes wide.

Mark ran straight into him, wrapping his arms around Trick’s waist in the fiercest way he could.

The High King looked up, finding my eyes, looking almost scared that this boy was hugging him.

And in that moment, it was the first time Trick had ever looked…well, human. The anger and pain were gone from his features, the ice melted in his eyes. Right then, he looked like a man unsure of what this small creature was doing hugging the most terrifying man in the world, unafraid.

Mark stepped back seconds later, shoving his messy hair out of his face wildly. “Thank you for saving her, sir.” He bowed at the hip.

My hand found my mouth as I tried to hide the smile that threatened to grow. Trick looked so uncomfortable at the sight of my brother bowing to him.

“You’re…welcome.” He winced.

I forced my hand down as Mark spun around, leaving Trick questioning everything. “This place is so cool. What is it?”

I spared the High King a second’s glance before looking around the cottage. “Well,” I said on a breath, finding his eyes. “It’s our home. Yours and mine.”

His eyes rounded. “This place is mine?”

I nodded. “Happy early birthday,little fox.”

He gasped as he finally took in the entirety of the cottage. “Those are yours!” he cheered, pointing to the pictures on the walls. “All of your stories and pictures!”